I Swear! Or should I?

Paula Mooney wrote a recent entry about bloggers cussing. I’m curious what you think:

To be honest, there are a few blogs that I visit where I read right through it… all of them happen to be humorous. I do struggle to stick around on blogs that cuss or swear for no apparent reason, though. If it’s said out of anger, I definitely won’t come back for a second visit.

Three reasons why you shouldn’t cuss on your blog:

Your words on the net may be around longer than you will be. It would be unfortunate to be remembered for cussing.
There’s a lot of words that you probably have never even heard of… try some new ones out.
Cussing may offend someone, not cussing won’t offend anyone.

Share your thoughts. Am I simply becoming a curmudgeon? Note: No cussing!

About Douglas Karr

Douglas Karr is the founder of The Marketing Technology Blog. Doug is President and CEO of DK New Media, an online marketing company specializing in inbound marketing leveraging social media, blogging, search engine optimization, pay per click and public relations. Their clients include Angie's List, Mindjet, Webtrends, ChaCha and many more. Douglas is also the author of Corporate Blogging for Dummies.

View all posts by Douglas Karr →

http://paulamooney.blogspot.com Paula Neal Mooney

This is effin good! Just kidding, Douglas.

Thanks for the shout out.

Paula,
http://paulamooney.blogspot.com
http://marketingtechblog.com Douglas Karr

I found this link on Lifehacker today for those folks in need of some vocabulary:

Quizlet
http://minethatdata.blogspot.com Kevin Hillstrom

One of the blogs I follow includes a significant amount of swearing. The person is clearly hurt over the direction his industry is taking, and it seems the only way his feelings can truly be expressed. He doesn’t seem to swear in non-industry related posts. While I don’t think his language is appropriate, it is obvious his feelings are hurt, and I can pick that up from his choice of language.

I won’t swear on my blog. I want those who run across my content to focus on the content, not the language used to deliver it.
http://tidbitsandtreasures.blogspot.com Barb

Cussing is a turn off to me, and I’m seeing more and more women using swear words or words otherwise would have gotten you a mouth full of soap in my day. Seems they think it makes them look cool, or they must really feel independent enough to not worry about what people think. Most people will not tell you; they just avoid your blog! If one cannot restrain from using curse words on their blog, then they don’t need to blog. As was mentioned, it will be around on search engines for longer than we want to think!
http://geekwhat.com Tony Chung

I think swearing in moderation is okay. But if every other post is a rant with swear words, I would probably stop reading.

It’s simply not necessary.
http://customersrock.wordpress.com Becky Carroll

Thanks for starting the discussion, Doug. I don’t care for hearing or reading profanity, and I won’t do it myself. Surely there are more eloquent ways to express oneself, even in anger. If I am reading a blogger that does it once, it won’t keep me from coming back. If it becomes a habit, I would avoid that site.
http://chipsquips.com Sterling Camden

Personally I think swear words are just words that carry special impact. Use appropriately, not gratuitously.
http://tidbitsandtreasures.blogspot.com Barb

Sterling, I think using swear words for special impact just shows how little command we have of our tongue or perhaps the English language. To me, there is no ‘appropriate’ way to curse or swear. It sickens me to hear people use certain words like they were normal, every day words (they are becoming that way for the young), when they really are hurting their own character
http://chipsquips.com Sterling Camden

And why are these words offensive? Because they derive from the Saxon or Celtic tongues. If I say “copulate!” or “defecation!” nobody gets offended. In the end, it’s just a racial prejudice that has been maintained for a millenium.
http://www.grnoakpark.com JD

I on occassion cuss, I do not care to do it on my blog and for a macho ruff around the edges poor boy, I do not swear much. I was in a tavern in Baltimore recently and 2 ladies were f wording and mf wording so much I was offended. I did not comment but it bothered me. I have found Paula’s wisdome and sincerity to be beyound question. If Paula says it is not right, there you have it
http://tidbitsandtreasures.blogspot.com Barb

JD, my husband says, when he hears a woman talking like that, it makes her sound like a w…. It’s just trashy talk to me, and you don’t have to do it. But, it seems that’s the ‘trend’ now days among so many, and I don’t think it helps them one bit.

http://www.grnoakpark.com JD

Barb, your husband is wise and I agree.

http://brandoncwood.com Brandon Wood

I agree that 99% of the time, cursing is completely unnecessary. There are however, a few instances when it is truly the best way to express how you feel about something. Personally, I can’t remember ever cursing in a blog post, but I wouldn’t rule it out either.