Cussing is for [expletive deleted]

As a twenty-something who spends a lot of his time with other twenty-somethings and university students, I hear a lot of swearing. I hear it on television, in movies, and in daily conversation. I hear it so much that I barely even notice it anymore.

There are some contexts where I still notice it. For example, if someone who does not normally swear lets loose an inappropriate utterance, I'll take note. I won't be offended, just a little surprised. Same goes for swearing on television, when it happens in a particularly outlandish or unexpected situation. A weak example is any time Stewie Griffin swears in Family Guy. It stands out, in theory, because he's a baby (for those with the cultural knowledge of your average wood chip).

The only other time I notice swearing is when it pops up too much. We're all familiar with the kids who insist on dropping the f-bomb every other word. But that's not offensive. It's just annoying.

And that's the thing. In all of the above situations, those rare occasions when I will actually pause to take note of swearing, I'm never offended by the curse being uttered. Not in the slightest.

Now maybe that just makes me weird. Some desensitized monstrosity with a heart of stone. But I suspect most of my friends are on the same page. We've heard (and in most cases said) the full spectrum of swear words enough times that they don't even phase us. Not in the slightest.

The one exception is that word which starts with "c" and rhymes with "Look at that guy who just did that awesome, gravity defying stunt!" It is the last bastion of single word swearing. The only hold-out, single-syllable utterance which can still make most people cringe.

But what of the rest? Fuck, shit, and ass are all about as socially acceptable as driving an SUV. Hell, with rising concern about the environment they might even be more socially acceptable. You probably wouldn't break the words out at a business meeting, but if you did, I doubt you'd lose your job over it. Probably wouldn't even get talked to about it.

So why censor these words on television? Am I just out of touch with the rest of the world? Are there a lot of people who still care? Personally, I think swearing is unnecessary, and oftentimes lazy when it comes to writing. There are words which can have the same, or more impact, if you're willing to expand on your vocabulary and actually write. Still, if someone chooses to swear with any single-syllable curse word (except the aforementioned exception), I'm not sure who is going to seriously object to it.

Parents? Your kids already know the words. And it's your job to teach them not to say them.

Anyone else? I... I actually can't think of anyone else who could or should be offended by swearing.

So why are most swear words still taboo? To me, they just seem oh so bland.