16 Comments

One of my college writing workshop textbooks said basically the same thing as your professor: one curse word in the entire book makes more of an impact than using it on every page. From a purely linguistic standpoint, swear words have actual definitions, and using them as foul language twists them so the true meaning is lost. So that, coupled with the fact I was raised in a non-swearing home, means I don't use it and don't like it when others do, but I try not to pass judgement. Interestingly, employees who curse are called out on it at Canobie Lake Park, and I'm told that repeated offenses can be grounds for dismissal.

Expand full comment

How is your work there going? Do you like it?

Expand full comment

It's going well, thanks for asking. I have a good boss, nice coworkers, and it's an upbeat environment full of life and color. I'm sad it's going to end in a couple of months (the last day the park is open is 11/2).

Expand full comment

What’s really important is that kids know how to swear *correctly*

Expand full comment

Right, right, exactly!

Expand full comment

counselor

Expand full comment

Good catch, my head is too much in town budget season!

Expand full comment

Growing up as a teen in the 60's, there were a lot of swears. I still do not care for it. Once in a while, ok, but now it is on clothing, bumper stickers, tattoos, flags, etc. Over done and bordering on rude. or does over done just make it meaningless. With music, you can decide what you want to listen to.

Expand full comment

Hmmm, not where I thought you were going. Playing recorded music while hiking in nature? 😳

Expand full comment

I do not like that also. Hiking up Monadnock and some body was playing a harmonica all the way up, and not very well either. Every time we stopped to let them go by, they stopped.

Expand full comment

Yeah, it's a method they use for some of the kids to keep them occupied on hikes as many have never done any hiking before. Not an issue for Little Bean :)

Expand full comment

Understandable, but too bad there is not another way.

Expand full comment

Many of these kids are city kids and even a two or three miles hike for them is something they've never done, the camp is just outside Manchester. I remember when I was in camps at that age the counselors would sing songs and such, but it's a different world!

Expand full comment

So different - I agree. Some children in Manchester do not know the name of the major river that runs through it. If music helps, let it play! (and then teach them that if they are quiet they may see a porcupine!)(but in NH when you want a porcupine, a bear shows up instead!)

Expand full comment

Well, the world is full of cursing/profanities/vulgarities today, unfortunately. People use the f bomb so much today it's taken as normal...to me it is not. I agree it's harder to NOT use foul language...anybody can swear, not everybody can communicate.

Expand full comment

Meena swears like a sailor? Goodness!

I wholeheartedly agree with you, profanity is an expressive linguistical tool. I attended a Flaming Lips concert recently, I was in the front row standing near security and next to children attending the concert with their parents. Love was in the air, as the Lips sang "Do You Realize"... a song about the brevity of human life and a reminder to tke stock in the people we love, life can change in an instant.

Other Lips songs are just as impactful and meaningful- life is short, allow for time to find joy in simple things.

"Fuck Yeah!"

Expand full comment