One of the countless anecdotes regarding my hero, Samuel Johnson, is about a lady complimenting him for leaving out "bad, low and despicable words" when compiling his great 1755 dictionary.
"No, Madam, I hope I have not daubed my fingers," he replied, as if including dirty words would actually soil his hands. But being Johnson, he had to add, "I find, however, that you have been looking for them."
No crime there. While most adults don't search for swears, we do notice them — that's one reason they're used, as intensifiers, to draw attention, language's yellow highlighter. Consider a headline in Monday's Sun-Times, "PRITZKER TELLS TRUMP TO 'F- - - ALL THE WAY OFF' IN VIRAL VIDEO."
If only more people did that.
This might be a good moment to register my personal objection to those dashes. Who are they supposed to protect? If you know the word — and pretty much anyone who can read knows this one — you automatically fill it in yourself. Perhaps some would swoon to see those last three letters in print. But they'd get over it.
We could help them. Obscenity shocks, some folks, anyway, because it's rare. If we used such words more, they would become less objectionable, the way gay people rehabilitated the slur "queer." Gov. JB Pritzker can say the word, but the Sun-Times won't print it undisguised — don't blame me, I'd do so in a heartbeat. But as I sometimes tell readers: I follow our style; I don't set it.
Not every institution is so inhibited. The University of Chicago has a stellar reputation, one not particularly associated with lewdness. Yet parents of prospective freshmen visiting the school were once treated to linguist Jason Riggle's class on obscenity. With projected charts tracking the frequency of specific obscenities. In Rockefeller Chapel. No one complained. Nor did Pritzker's word choice cause a stir.
"We've gotten more used to politicians intentionally breaking these rules to convey extra strong feelings," Riggle said. "We totally expect that. It tends to convey authenticity because you're breaking politeness norms — you can't be held to them because you're so upset."
Swearing is an expected transgression.
"It's not that unusual, but it is unusual — that's kind of the whole point," Riggle said.
The surprising part of this episode is how little "pearl clutching" there was afterward.
"I had to go looking for it," Riggle said. "The fact that this didn't cause more of an uproar is fascinating. That he was talking to teachers adds an extra meta level."
The University of Chicago has a long history of frankly studying obscenity — well, as frankly as they could. In 1934, U. of C. professor Allen Walker Read published a 15-page academic paper called "An Obscenity Symbol" without ever specifying the word he defends, arguing it is not the natural physical act that makes such words objectionable, but our reaction: "Thus it is the existence of a ban or taboo that creates the obscenity where none existed before."
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Not even major strokes. My last concussion, 10th since childhood, has caused PCD that's never going away. At least two TIAs later, I swear so passionately casually that I am appalled at what comes out of my mouth. I now warn people, especially if I am tired, ill, stressed. There are moments in life so offensive that only obscene words are fit in reaction, but like most words used to excess, they become meaningless, just show biz.
ReplyDeleteIt is astonishing that in 2025 your newspaper STILL will not permit reporters to use fuck or shit in a direct quote. It was astonishing to me 25 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, as the Democrats swept the elections across the nation, you could hear the voters, patriots one and all, echoing the words Governor JB Pritzker, "Fuck Donald Trump all the way."
ReplyDeleteOn this topic I highly recommend recently deceased philosopher Harry Frankfurt's enlightening & amusing analysis of B.S. entitled "On Bullshit". It is perfectly
ReplyDeleterevelatory when observing the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washingon D.C.
Every news outlet should also quote Trump verbatim; without dashes that he can “grab women by the pussy”. Exactly what he said. Why they soften it for him; I don’t understand.
ReplyDeleteI think it was softened because at the time that he said it, it was a phrase unheard by anyone. I spent 3 years in the army, then 26 years as a police officer, both places being where swearing is heard a lot. I'd never heard that phrase and when he said it I was about 65 years old. It was shocking to me, and I'm no delicate flower. As NS says, JB spoke for any of us who hate what the orange goof has done, and continues to do.
DeleteAlso, the word bagnio. I'd never hear that either, had to look it up. That's a great word.
"profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteNeil, as usual, a superb column. I agree with you, who are we kidding when we replace letters, with dashes? We all know what was said, so just print it.
ReplyDeleteSince Trump has been running for office/in office for over 10 years now, he is the one who has changed the norm with how he speaks and the things he says. I applaud JB for fighting fire with fire. Sometimes that is what you have to do to get people’s attention and emphasize your point.
I have a sign that I bring to all the rallies now, it says—I’d call Trump a CUNT but he lacks depth and warmth. I call it my all purpose protest sign, I could go to ANY rally and it fits the sentiment of the crowd. I get dozens of people at each rally who ask if they can take a picture and I happily oblige. Some may think it is crude and vile, but just look at who we are dealing with. I am beyond going high when they go low. In what we are going through now we need to get down to there level and show them we are not going to take it anymore
There's a protest on Saturday mornings, 11 to noon on the 600 block of Central Street in Evanston. Fuck yeah, we'd love to see your sign.
DeleteThere are certain words that most people wouldn't bat an eye if they saw it in print or heard it over the airwaves, and that is progress in a way. Yet, other words would be a definite setback if they made their way back into legitimate media or casual conversation (see, "N-word").
ReplyDeleteWhen all of the swear words become un-dashed common discourse, what’s left for the purpose of shocking and calling attention? Belgium?
ReplyDelete