You're right, it is not necessary to use cuss words to communicate the English language, as evidenced by this list. While some questionable words do creep into the conversation now and then, by and large we all know how to get our point across without cussing like a sailor about it. However, this language thing has gotten out of hand. Nowadays, everyone is an expert on everything. The saying someone on the list made one time, something to the effect, I got two more sessions of "The Operation" before I get my medical license illustrates how people become experts. Some people think they know everything when it comes to language. I have had government employees tell me they didn't have to talk to me as long as I used profane language. Oops, they just messed up on two fronts. To begin with, the word profane can only have a religious connotation, as in to profane the god head. If a government agent says they won't talk to me because I used the words G--D--- that means they are trying to impose their religious tenets on me in order for me to avail myself of that government service, and that's strictly a legal no-no. Plus, when they put those restrictions on my words they have just violated my constitutional right to freedom of speech. The Supreme Court has long ago decided that we can say all the dirty words we want, see Lenny Bruce, and for a government agency, or even a private individual, to say we can, well, it flys in the face of legal case law and our constitution. Then we come to the point where we decide what is a dirty word. I have been chastised for saying darn, cotton picken, ass, shit, poopah, falderall, etc. Mercy, I bet those same people would fall over dead if they heard me really cut loose ! Let's take the word shit. I grew up in a farm setting where the word was used quite extensively and freely by both sexes and of all ages. It was a very common thing on a farm. There are people still alive today who courted while sitting in a horse drawn buggy, said horse churning the stuff out left and right while the couple billed and cooed. Yet, there are tons of prissy people around the world who cringe and get that look on their face if they even smell the subject, let alone hear it expressed. As mentioned in a previous post to this list, Kade gets into minor trouble at school for saying words like damm, shit, ass, doodoo head, etc. My position is that she is free to use such words. They may be considered socially inappropriate, but they are not cuss words. I have done my job well in training her to know the difference between not polite words and down right offensive words. We all train our children in how to be phony and lie, and I got that down pat with Kade. In fact, I gave Kade and some of her friends this weekend a lesson in how to be socially fake and acceptable. Now take the infamous F--- word. It is merely an acronym meaning Fornicating Under Carnal Knowledge , pure and simple. I must admit that I sometimes get caught unawares when some people use the word, but I seldom fall over in a faint because of it. As someone was trying to point out, I think, go to Texas and sit on a park bench to hear the best language you ever want to hear. I don't think the use of cuss words denotes ignorance. I am not ignorant and I bet I know all the cuss words, and have probably used them all at one time or another. And I certainly don't use them to gain attention. I can get attention just walking down the street. And quite frankly, I don't desire any attention, just really want people to leave me the h--- alone. If my language, or ideas, or thoughts offend, just ignore me. Jack Childers in OKC