In Praise of Cussing

Christopher Lochhead: It may be a Practice Associated with Knuckle Draggers. It's also a Secret Pleasure for the Rest of Us

(CBS)  Christopher Lochhead is a a former technology executive who now works as a strategy advisor.

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There are many great pleasures in life: Good friends, a beautiful sunrise, a job well done - and the right cuss word.

Ah, swearing. We love to do it. Understanding why it's so popular is less self-evident. But after four decades of first-hand trial and error, I think I'm on solid ground by saying that for most Americans, swearing is an eminently satisfying, if not authentic, mode of self-expression. With one strong cuss you can probably express every human emotion from love to hate precisely because swearing offers such a powerful release.

Is swearing a practice associated with under-educated, boorish, heathens? Of course it is. But that tells only part of the story. There is also something rebellious in the act which appeals to lowbrow and highbrow alike, like we’re getting away with something naughty. It also feels really great.

You'll find many of the most successful people in the world using salty descriptions to get their points across. According to U.S. News & World Report, United States Presidents have "a rich tradition of cussing." President Obama is no stranger to the practice while his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has famously raised the practice to an art.

The media's not immune. Keith Olbermann now has a WTF segment during his MSNBC television show while Joe Scarborough and Shepard Smith have famously dropped on-air F-Bombs. (Comedian Jon Stewart goes even further and swears almost nightly on "The Daily Show.")

The trick is to apply the fitting word to the right situation. Imagine being stuck in traffic forever or waiting endlessly in a long line. What about trying for the seventh time to get your insurance company on the phone, or realizing all your data has disappeared after your hard drive crashes-all these are tailor-made situations begging for an off-color bon mot.

The flip side is that in times of joy, cussing positively lifts hearts. Skiing down a wicked run or celebrating the birth of your baby, cheering on your team as it wins the big game or sharing a great glass of scotch all qualify as occasion to trot out the proper Anglo-Saxon adjective.

Is it a mistake that so many successful people curse? I don’t think so. There is something attractive about people who communicate in clear, powerful, expressive ways. We admire leaders who don’t pull any punches. In fact, cussing has been part of business life ever since the first caveman short-paid his neighbor for a piece of meat. Sometimes cussing is used to display faux toughness. Over the course of my business career, almost every great executive I have worked with swore.

Some execs strut their raw side in public. Not long after taking over as Yahoo’s CEO, Carol Bartz famously dropped an F-bomb on a Wall Street conference call. (Full disclosure: During a speech in front of over a thousand salespeople, I once said: "We are not participating in the f*cking recession!" and the crowd roared its approval.) These are not one-off examples. A 2007 study found that swearing at work can inspire teamwork.

The critics of cussing who say that it’s rude, inappropriate and ugly are quite right. And that’s what makes it so good. Of course, there's a time and a place for swearing. Those among the cuss-noscenti, who over-use swearing, diminish its value. I would not recommend swearing in front of the queen, the Pope, or young children. Swearing too loudly in a library or church also is ill-advised. And there are times in business when swearing can backfire by making you appear weak as if you were trying to compensate for some deficiency.

Like most things in life, common sense rules of the road apply. You won't help your case by cussing in front of a judge, a jury, or your mom (although my mum is OK with it), Same goes for when you're facing a stickup man with a gun. There's no one-size-fits-all approach but I've found that swearing works best as an expression versus an attack weapon.

Obviously, context matters. At a recent dinner with a couple of software executives, I told them they were (expletives deleted) and they thought I was hysterical.

Truth be told, it's people who don’t cuss who really scare me. With all that repressed emotion bottled up inside, how long before they burst into flames? So the next time you hear someone described with a four letter adjective, don't immediately assume the speaker is some hopeless knuckle dragger. (Which may be true, of course.) But at least they're celebrating their right to fuller self expression.

[TheBeaverhousen]

I used to manage the PR account Mercury Interactive and we had one very senior marketing executive who was infamous for swearing during interviews. Some choice favourites were (and I quote):

1. This is hot sh*t software
2. Any journalist who ignores us is a daft c**t
3. You are one mean marketing muthaf**ka

It was always a pleasure to staff interviews as you never knew what to expect. You may even remember him..Chris ;-)

[danceswithtrees]

All I have to say to this is %$&* yeah Chester!!!

[smoknmirrors]

You can get a different perspective if you do it while driving (an exercise that provides ample opportunity) and you have your 3 year old grandson in the back seat, listening, and then asking "grandpa, why did you say _____?" Suddenly it doesn't seem that "fuller self expression" is so "manly" and "satisfying," and you know it.

[smoknmirrors]

And his mother is going to let you know it, too.

[dovestar]

My grandfather once told me that cussing does nothing but show one's ignorance since he can't think of any other adjective with which to express himself.

It used to be that you couldn't even say, "damn" or "hell" over the airwaves. Gradually, however, this raw sewage began to creep in. The sky didn't fall in, but the Second Coming hasn't happened yet either.

And now it looks like anything goes. George Carlin would be proud.

You believe it's OK to cuss because "everybody" does it. And we should trust your judgement? You have helped put us between Barack and a hard place.

I thought there were standards of professionaliksm in journalism. I guess I was wrong.

[dagrandma]

For those of you not in favor of cussing, try these non-cuss words: trailer trash, white trash, ni**er, *******, etc., etc., etc. I find these words WAY more offensive than someone locking the keys in his car and saying f--k.

[arkieguy]

I am sure that I'll be criticized as a "blue-nose,"or much worse, but the current habit of cussing every-other word to make a point is just that, habit. And a bad one at that.
I can't say that I don't do it occasionally, but not on an every-day basis. I don't believe that my generation, I am 80, was in to it as much as the last generation or two. My dad did not make a habit of it at all, and he was no holier-than-thou prude.
I have a friend that sometimes uses profanity where women can here him. I am surprise that some man hasn't set him straight for doing that in his wifes presence.
CALL ME OLD-FASHIONED.

[panton41]

As a Heathen I'm offended by being compared to people who swear, dammit!

[rbstrcklnd]

I've cursed before when I've been angry, but, to go around in everyday life not able to speak a complete sentence without every other word being f this and f that, just shows ignorance.

[hiberniae]

Cursing, cussing, swearing, profanity all may be very common in the world. I'm sure they always have been. The case may even be made that Jesus used profanity. In the Gospel According to Matthew chapter 23 (The Woe Chapter), Jesus refers to the scribes and Pharisees with a number of descriptions, including "sons of vipers". That phrase is roughly the same as today's "sons of *******".

Yet even if we were to say that Jesus used profanity, he used it judiciously and prudently as well as effectively!

A sparing little amount of profanity is about ALL that most people should ever use. Only in rare cases should it be used in abundance. The reason there is a taboo on profanity is not because of the words themselves, but the usual presence of a malicious and selfish spirit. The total avoidance of profanity will not banish a malicious and selfish spirit, but a reckless use of it is usually a sign of it.

There are a few people (scarce as hens' teeth) who do use profanity in almost every sentence, and yet use it with hilarity and humor that actually edify those around them.

However, there are some times that even those few know that profanity is to be totally banished. I would say that overall that American society greatly overuses and over estimates the effectiveness and benefit of profanity.

[fmg334]

Swear words might be distasteful to some,but at least it's honest. The world could use a little more honesty.

[rbstrcklnd]

what is honest about not being able to talk to someone without cussing? I'm not talking about being angry or shocked and letting a cuss word slip. I'm talking about the endless use of profanity to have a conversation.

[cleric60]

What about all those victims of being verablly abused by cuss words by their parents, bosses, etc? The use of cuss words are weapons to enforce power and fear. Cuss words are symbols to instill feelings of helplessness and fear within the recipents of those curses.
Also, think about the reactions to those cuss words..anger, getting even,and hatred.
Now tell me why cuss words are healthy for our society????

[voileazur]

You might want to read the article first!!!

People might get the impression you have completely missed the point! ... or misunderstood the author's following statement :

'... There's no one-size-fits-all approach but I've found that swearing works best as an expression versus an attack weapon...'

As some 'well thinking' religious folks would say, and I paraphrase:

'... CUSSING has never assaulted, nor harmed anyone , ever. PEOPLE's ill intent, have harmed others in all instances, regardless of the words they choose...'

And to answer your closing question:

'... Now tell me why cuss words are healthy for our society???? ...',

... cussing, the type you condemn, as well as the tyoe you use yourself, is an extraordinary 'RELEASE' channel of anger and frustration. Contrary to what you claim, it delivers from resorting to hatred, judgement, discrimination, or other forms of disguised racism!!!

'... Is cussing healthy for our society???...' YOU BET!!!

Much like a boxing routine, cussing is an extraodinary mantra like pressure release valve!

[voileazur]

On another note: don't judge people on their choice of frustration release 'cuss' words. Just as people shouldn't judge you on your own artillery of frustration release 'cussing'.

Go ahead! Let out a few of your own vintage righ now!!!

See!!! Feels better, doesn't it?!?!?!

[voileazur]

On another note: don't judge people on their choice of frustration release 'cuss' words. Just as people shouldn't judge you on your own artillery of frustration release 'cussing'.

Go ahead! Let out a few of your own vintage righ now!!!

See!!! Feels better, doesn't it?!?!?!

[Questionews]

What I'm disappointed with is that there hasn't been any new cuss words developed since I was a kid. I'm not talking about words that used to be widely used, but are now not politically correct, but a new cuss word. I really expected better from America.

[dagrandma]

F***ing A.

[CPelzar]

Private individuals have the right to curse all they want. Public officials however that supposedly represent what is supposed to be our best do not. In private between themselves, fine, but not publicly. It shows the dumbing down and causal slide of our elected officials and the media that support them. As a result we are all dumber for having to be exposed to their casual use of swear words.

The media and our government officials should have command of proper language and their opinion, position and responses to should be weighed on their value not their "shock" factor by using poor language.

[thinkharder-]

[It shows the dumbing down and causal slide of our elected officials and the media that support them.]

First off...I welcome a more casual politician. I don't need some dolled up, egg shelled walking pre-madonna representing my interests. And it is your OPINION that cussing is indicative of a dumbing down...there is certainty no viable reason to adhere to that sort of theory. What is dumb about a curse? If I say d@rn instead of s@it...is that an indication of my being more intelligent? Is that an indication of my being more thoughtful. No...the two words are synonymous in that context. To deplore cuss words is to cling to some cultural/puritanical BS that serves neither class or intellect to the people...what it does serve is more irrational disdain for something wholly harmless. But what are you without something else to ***** about?

[bobnjersey]

[Obviously, context matters. At a recent dinner with a couple of software executives, I told them they were (expletives deleted) and they thought I was hysterical. ]

as there seems to be a seinfeld episode that covers every slice of life ... this too has it's own ... 'those sons of b!tches ... those b@s@rds'

[bobnjersey]

[The critics of cussing who say that it?s rude, inappropriate and ugly are quite right. And that?s what makes it so good. Of course, there's a time and a place for swearing. ]

there are many tools in the linguistic toolbox ... each with it's own value. use of the appropriate tool at the appropriate time is the key.

[John_Merritt]

Someone who resorts to curse words is usually a person with a narrow mind and a limited vocabulary; if they use them regularly. Now in the case of Rahm, I think I might change my last name if he is supposed to be representing the Messiah. No, that can't be; he called himself the 'ultimate enforcer', so I guess it is OK to cuss.

[thinkharder-]

Really...have you ever used the word, "darn"? Have you ever said something akin to..."aw heck"? Then, regardless of what you believe sitting there perched high in your self righteous tower, you have cussed...only in a repressed and haughty manner. I would rather speak freely and without a tether to some ridiculous anti-cussing cultural mishap, then have to check my every emotion to make sure its clean enough for your dainty little ears. Stop abdicating and condemning freedom at the same time.

[xlib]

So, if the thug administration says it's ok I guess we won't be censored anymore on this site. How nice.
Let's see, under clinton we had your NY Times writing an article praising bubba for his artful lying. Now, this.
Interesting, very interesting.
BTW byrdh5n1-this is on topic and I do agree with didserve.
See, there libster, this site really doesn't run anything unless it is favorable to the messiah and his thugs so we conservative take our chances when we can.
I totally agree with didserve's post.
Deal with it.

[bobnjersey]

[See, there libster, this site really doesn't run anything unless it is favorable to the messiah and his thugs so we conservative take our chances when we can.]

once again ... another ignorant idealoge making statements that are not only not true ... but they have no means to back up w/ any verifcation at all.

and it's not on topic at all ... the story is about the use of language ... of the colored variety. your statements ... as usual ... are rooted solely in blinded ideaology.

i suppose you can't see any difference there.

[didserve]

cleaning out washington and putting these criminals in jail would be great too but we dont do it!

[byrdh5n1]

Ham-fisted segue. Stick with the topic rather than jumping to your own poorly conceived political agenda. You expose your ignorance and single-minded vision instead of enjoying the damn story......