John objected to swearing in a post.
I believe the problem he had was with the word "bullshit".
My opinion on that word is:
a) Throwing that into an argument is an emotional matter, and undercuts
the intellectual content of what you're trying to say somewhat. You
look more rational if you refrain from using the word. If you're
seriously arguing a point, don't use it -- it just makes you look like
you don't have a good rational argument, even if you do.
b) Throwing that into a discussion where you want to convey your
emotion about the whole thing may still be a little over-the-top. Using
"bull" without the fecal matter suffix usually gets the point across
just as well.
c) There are days where anyone tossing off "shit" without referring
literally to fecal material tempts me to write to the poster an off-list
description of exactly what sort of fecal matter I've had to deal with
that day. So far I have resisted. So far.
d) I prefer not to deal with the word anyway, most of the time, without
the preface of "I call". That kind of lightens the tone of the whole
thing. Especially in a sort of sing-songy way. (Think about how you'd
say "I call shotgun!" And the word in question is best left to use in
the company of those who *would* call shotgun.)
Julia
who has called shotgun on a number of occasions and found that it's not
always the wisest course if you're the smallest person in the party
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