by hmmm on Mon May 10, 2004 12:46 am
[s]oddly familiar wrote on 00:48, 10th May 2004:
As far as i am aware this is the only word that is still banned on british television. I guess this means its the very worst swear word there is?
No it just means that a lot of women (and some men no doubt) think it is rather a vile word and a derogatory sounding one at that. It isn't the nicest sounding word, much like tits, which is why women prefer softer words like the alternative for "cat" and something that ryhmes with "tubes". They are more feminine sounding owrds and thus don't sound like they're something men use to make women feel uncomfortable. Some women couldn't care less but as there are many that do it would be unwise for someone on television to use the word. For example if a soap character used it then no matter whether he was meant to be the nice guy some women would immediately have him down as being a bad guy, someone who thinks they are dominant over women.
Very few words have this effect on so many people and thus to avoid people changing the channel no tv show would use it - the complaints would be huge. Thus it is banned.
There is no "very worst" swear word as it all depends on the context. In the US for example Bono war rapped for saying the word "f*cking" on live tv. He, or rather the channel whop broadcasted it, was let off though after it was decided he meant it in a non-sexual context (because on mainstream tv there sex or naked bodies is bad - obviously?!). Swear words used to be something scandalous but not so much anymore as everyone knows them all and has used them all at some point or another. Even on the bbc, shock horror.
But some overstep the mark, not because they are swear words per say but because they can be perceived as being a sign of male dominance or ignorance and the fact that seeing as so many people don't like it, it's only polite not to say it.