Why can people not use the English language well enough to avoid cursing???

You just can't fix STUPID.

Actually, I think this is probably a societal acceptance thing. In school, we 'oldsters' had to mind our manners, follow a dress code, and speak respectfully to those around us, or we were put in detention, or expelled. Now I see students acting and speaking an a way that would have totally blown apart society then.

I believe it is simply a matter of 1. Laziness on the part of the person speaking - not taking the time to learn the correct words. 2. Inability of parents, teachers, or those involved in the forming of young minds to 'make' a child learn decent english - because you can't 'force' a child to do something they don't want to do according to the freedom of everything philosophy that came about through some of the Socialist ways of thinking. Although there is a great need for child protection agencies, unfortunately some of the good ideas used to promote child safety were taken way farther than they were originally intended, and now all kids have to say is "You can't make me, and if you do, I'll say you're abusing me!"

How does someone gain the desire to learn proper English in such a system?

I am not a big on cursing, but this is what I learned from a TV documentary. The reason why we curse; no other word can full-fill the need of making the point better than foul word.

The words F**k you, S**t, or G***D are stronger language. I been told some of our higher authorities use these words, and why??

When you want to convey the strongest emotion on how you feel, the words oh fart, or oh shucks, or godly gee, isn't the same. Therefore, when cursing to make a point, HEAVENS TO BESTY, does not work. I rather not, myself curse, but if I do, I try hard not to use God's name, or curse at God in anyway.

I agree that people in general use curse words far too often and far to common place. They lose their harder meaning when used in such a way, and we become desensitized to the way that they sound. It used that if you heard someone curse, you knew that they were really angry or frustrated. Even though they would use them in those circumstances, if a lady was present, they would forbear. Personaly, I think that there are often so many better ways to express ones self other then curses, even when angry or frustrated. To be honest though, I sometimes will let out a curse word.

I wish I knew. It seems that I can't go anywhere without overhearing someone using foul language. If they only knew that it just makes them sound ignorant and stupid. It sounds like they are only using a part of their brains. Even here, on Answers, people seem to delight in using foul language. I think that teens think it makes them sound cool and they love to shock the old folks. Of course, their role models use it in the movies, songs, music videos, sports, etc. Everyone needs to clean up their acts!

I think people curse because it's easy, and mostly acceptable everywhere, and also people are very ignorant, they don't know how to express themselves with similes, antonyms or synonyms. The creativity of speech is becoming a lost art. FUNNY---some people on here replying are also ignorant..."explicative" means to explain, the word you're looking for is "expletive"!!!

I agree - even I am a guilty of this one, what I do notice is that when Im around my parents (Im 27) I can go days without slipping a cus hmmm classical conditioning maybe!

Profanity is a sign of ignorance. Intelligence is required to insult someone without using an explicative.

dear pish,

i understand your frustration with vulgarity,,,,there is nothing wrong with "slang" as long as you are in a casual setting, as with friends or here...however, even though i have also used these nasty words in anger, i find that most are simply inarticulate,,,,,,they do not have the words to cut like a knife,,,,,,,,,,and they resort to crass, filthy language to shock and "make their point " for them...of course, this is only my opinion...and i really hate to pay $$$ for a movie ticket only to find the whole dialog is 'fffffffff',,good grief,,,,,,,,,,,

Ignorance. The common culprit just doesn't know enough descriptive words to use anything but vulgarity.

To me, cursing is like the salt and pepper of language. It's not necessary, but it makes more "flavorful"