Who decided swearing/cursing is offensive?

Question

I really want to know, I mean they're just words people. I want the right to say **** in my office, and on Yahoo! Answers. LOL ****

Answer 1

The "who" is society, and they have every RIGHT to DO so.  If you don't like it, find another society that more closely represents your views and values.

You are incorrect when you say that words are just "words." They are not merely letters strung together.  WORDS MEAN THINGS, which is why we have DICTIONARIES that have DEFINITIONS, too!  And some words are more "powerful" than others because their MEANINGS contain more powerful emotions or situations behind them.

Oh, you may have a right to say whatever you wish, but you will also have to bear the "natural" consequences of such speech.

A "natural" consequence is something which may have no purposeful intentions behind them, like a knee-jerk reaction.  If you say the "N" word to a black person, and they flatten you to the ground and you end up in the hospital, then that is a NATURAL consequence of your speech.  You may even sue them or have them arrested, but you will still be suffering a broken face because of it.

So, if you wish to continue to discover what other NATURAL consequences your speech (and/or actions) result in, you have my permission (as if you need it?).  Frankly, I wouldn't like to suffer those consequences... I have a low threshold of pain.

Oh, and the natural consequence of such language on Y!A means suspension and/or removal from the Y!A system completely.  They WILL ban your ISP, or however they do it!

Have a polite day.