Words That You Try to Avoid?

[Tani Coyote]

Are there are any words that, for some reason or another, you try to avoid using?

 

I think racist terminology goes without saying for the vast majority of people. And most definitely me; while I'm not easily offended by words alone (I care more for the context of words than words themselves), I understand many people are and so definitely avoid the use of such terms.

 

I've tried to limit my usage of the words "Damn it," "Damn," "God damn," etc. I've mostly eliminated them from my vocabulary ever since October of last year, where I developed something of a religious belief and as such, I view it as rather inappropriate to make use of them. Likewise I've tried to avoid the terms "Go to Hell" or "Burn in Hell" for similar reasons. I've been told it's fine to make use of them provided "God" isn't mentioned, but logically the God part is implied, the same way you imply the other person when you give them an order.

 

This presents a bit of a conundrum when I'm frustrated because traditionally I'd use such words as alternatives to the hard swears such as the f-word. Making matters worse I generally try to limit my use of swears in general not only to make them more powerful when used, but because excessive use of such terms strikes me and pretty much my entire family as being uneducated. You need to be able to tell someone off in a more sophisticated fashion!

 

While discussing politics I try to avoid ideological labels because they're practically proven to cause people to lock out their minds. Never mind you end up going in circles for hours debating what the term "socialism" means. I'd rather discuss actual policies than some more widespread ideology; it'll get more done (however minimal given how political discussions tend to go). Compare saying "I'm a socialist" versus "I support universal healthcare." The moment I say the former countless people would dismiss anything I say, whereas if I just mention one particular policy I will probably get far better reception.

 

So, what sorts of words do you avoid the use of?

[Chaos Warp]

I don't really avoid using any words to be honest. I'm kind of a potty mouth. The only things I avoid are racist, sexist, and homophobic stuff, unless I'm with my very close friends and we all know I'm joking. 

Edited March 26, 2013 by Generations (Chaos Warp)

[Emmett L. Brown]

I avoid casual swearing simply because I prefer the words to be more effective when I'm genuinely furious.

 

...or stubbed my toe.

[Alluusio]

It really depends on the context, but generally I try to avoid using anything too slang-ish. And I also avoid using words which in any way would make me seem too cocky, like "noob" or something like that, which is kind of ironic when you look at my name but that's just there for parody purposes and really I'm a pretty humble guy. 

[Marcello]

Not English, but ¨Lehrer¨ which is German for teacher. I have a hard time with the ¨rer¨, so I sound weird using it. The same with ¨Röhre¨(Pipe).

[DarkLight]

I try to avoid using these for obvious reasons:

 

-Gay

-Emo

-Retard

 

I know I've said 'retard' once on this forum, but it wasn't directed towards anyone in particular, so I never got called out for it. Though I do apologize to anyone I may have offended.

[Yoko/葉子]

I despise more vulgar cusses, the chances of me using them are -100%. They can be insulting, not to mention that the mother of all bad words implies rape in my view.

[SoniqUpdater]

Aw Fu- i mean Flip!
that's pretty much how i try to censor myself, with words that start with the same letter.
I also try to avoid the word Gay, Homo, or Fag.

Edited March 26, 2013 by SoniqUpdater

[Stacy]

Eh, I try to avoid swearing necessarily e.g. using multiple swear words in sentences casually (unless I am really pissed off). Its easier to do when typing.

 

But do I avoid words outright no. When I lose my shit I would make the Fine Machine in Demolition Man malfunction.

 

I really like the word Cunt especially if it is by someone who is British/Irish. Cockney Cunt is the most enjoyable followed by Scottish Cunt.

 

Edited March 26, 2013 by BW199148

[SkyLlama]

None of the words I avoid are because they're bad or anything, but because I have issues pronouncing them IRL or issues spelling them.

I have a lot of issues contracting words so you'll often see me type " did not" instead of "didn't" or "could not" instead of "couldn't". I'm really trying to improve this as it annoys me to read my own stuff and I'm sure other people as well. As for words I have issues with IRL "specific" comes to mind immediately. Needless to say English is not my strong point.

I also try to avoid some of the more local terms used like "right" which may seam silly until you know how people use it. I still think someone saying "It's right cold today" sounds silly.

Speaking of this, something that would be interesting is a topic about every ones local accents and such. I love things like that.

Edited March 26, 2013 by SkyLlama

[Emperor Robrainiac]

I'll often try to avoid using the word "Feels" just because of how stupid it sounds... but sometimes I end up using it anyways without even knowing I did. >_<

 

Also, I'll only drop the F bomb if I'm feeling a really strong emotion. I feel it just conveys my mood stronger when I reserve it for that. 

 

I wont say retarded, gay, or anything derogatory in that manner. Heck, I've even been uncomfortable with using the word "lame," which I don't really why exactly, considering it's original meaning could be considered outdated. Maybe it's because I always use "lame" as an example of why saying "gay" and "retarded" as insults are not acceptable and how the original meaning could be lost over time..

[Turbo the Punk]

I attempt to avoid using derogatory terms and/or phrases that

• Discriminate against someones sexuality (ex: fag[got], homo, dyke and other variants)
• Discriminate against someones mental ability (ex: retard and other variants)
• Have a mention of God (moreso because I hate mentioning anything relating to religion in everyday life)

Other than that, I'm going to use most of the vocabulary (profanity included) that is within the language I'm communicating in, be it English, Spanish, French or Portuguese.

[Diogenes]

Basically anything racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. Aside from that pretty much anything's on the table.

[Stacy]

Yeah I guess the word "Faggot" really gets to me especially when people use it so ignorantly and casually. Though in Britian people tend to use the word "Gay" mainly Kids and Teenagers.

 

Come to thing there are probably words out that I avoid saying. I thought avoiding words that are sexist, racist, homophobic goes without saying. 

[Dr. Crusher]

Pretty much what everyone else said about words like "retard", "emo", "gay" (as in the derogatory term), etc. I'll use the "emo" term to poke fun at certain games/films/etc or the emo stereotype, but that's it.

 

I don't really swear in real life as much I as do with a keyboard. Not that I have a problem with them or anything, I just believe (like Ogilvie does) they're more effective when used sparingly. The only reason I do it more often on the web is simply because there are more times in which I find more (in my opinion) amusing uses for it.

 

Nowadays, I try to refrain from using "epic" and to a lesser extent "awesome". Those words have become so diluted of meaning, that when someone describes something as such without me knowing about the subject matter, I just assume it's their way of saying "mediocre". Similarly, I only use "fail" when I think it would truly fit, and even then I tend to say "failure" more.

 

Oh, and I try to not use phrases (unless deliberately invoked) that sound like they belong in the 80's or 90's. I can't use them without sounding embarrassed.

 

Otherwise, for the most part, I don't have that many restrictions.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Dr. Crusher

[Amomynous]

 Most 'bad' words generally just arn't in my vocabulary,so avoiding them doesn't tend to be an issue.The only exceptions I can think are prick and dick, which always comes on my brain's list of 'suggested words' when I'm trying to insult someone, and I'd rather they didn't.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Mysterics

[Clouder]

All swear words I do not say. I might say the "h-word" when I'm talking about the actual place. I'll try to use something more tame, but I really need to find something to say when I'm angry.

[Dizcrybe]

Swear words, faggot, retarded, gay, autistic... words like that.

 

*does not consider words like dick or cock swears*

[iDEATH]

Racist or Homophobic words are the only words I actively avoid but I'm not afraid to use them in context. for example when discussing the controversy surrounding Django unchained or something like that.

 

Has anyone ever ordered faggots in a restaurant?  That's an awkward situation....

[SkyLlama]

Swear words, faggot, retarded, gay, autistic... words like that.

 

*does not consider words like dick or cock swears*

 

Why autistic? I understand it could be used against someone, but what else do you use if you're having a legitimate discussion about autism or heck, even mentioning it?

 

I'm just curious as to why that'd be on you list.

Edited March 26, 2013 by SkyLlama

[Dizcrybe]

Why autistic? I understand it could be used against someone, but what else do you use if you're having a legitimate discussion about autism or heck, even mentioning it?

 

I'm just curious as to why that'd be on you list.

 

I meant as an insult.

[SkyLlama]

I meant as an insult.

 

I figgured as such, I've never heard it used as one though so I was not sure.

[Gregzilla]

I'm a bit of a sailor-mouth.  I tend to use f-bombs and s-bombs a lot, but I try not to get too carried away.  I find it annoying when people infuse swears into like every sentence, so I try not to do that.  

 

Other than that, I just try to avoid words that carry a lot of negative impact.  I don't use faggot or pussy as insults.  I generally try to avoid using homosexuality as an insult in any form.  When people constantly say "that's gay" I just lose some respect for them.

 

But I generally see swears as a way to convey strong emotion.  I know some people who make an effort to never ever swear ever.  Good for them, but I don't see anything wrong with letting out a FUCK every now and then.

[Debug Ring]

I mostly avoid homophobic, racist and sexist words. I can't say I aviod word like the F word or S word amd so on, as I do use them, but it's not nearly excessive. Only when I'm ticked off or they just simply slip out. But I do put that effort in to avoid offending someone.

Also, not that they're bad language or anything, but I try to avoid using some words more than one in a chat. Like, I'll if I use 'abyzmal' or something, I'll try and not use it again and expand my vocabulary. Just something I've got a habbit of doing.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Eleventh Doctor

[Diz]

Words that I try to avoid are words that can potentially and unnecessarily cause bad feelings or negative emotions, though it also depends on the receiving end, how close we are and how safe I believe they feel around me. In real-life, I sometimes try to avoid using as many English words as possible because I like to speak one language at a time and not mix things. It sometimes feels messy otherwise.