Image source here.
Since I'm usually writing for adults, I get to play with how much profanity to use and when. I want my written speech to be believable, but we've all stood in line next to foul-mouthed creatures who apply the same 5 curse words to every situation or person they encounter. Realistic, sure, but fascinating dialogue, it makes not.
I've also been polishing a crime story submission for an anthology to benefit a kids' cause. It's holiday-themed to appeal to benevolent, not necessarily noir-ish, readers. The editor would prefer submissions avoid the gutter talk. So, where's a logical point of balance? Maybe the doctors can decide. Medically, it turns out there may be appropriate, therapeutic instances for popping open a salty can of %$#@! Swearing makes you feel better!
...The study, published today in the journal NeuroReport, measured how long college students could keep their hands immersed in cold water. During the chilly exercise, they could repeat an expletive of their choice or chant a neutral word. When swearing, the 67 student volunteers reported less pain and on average endured about 40 seconds longer...
You always suspected it, didn't you?
Posts
8 comments:
Clare - The results don't surprise me! I'd love to see how they advertised for subjects to participate in the study.
Best wishes with your submission.
I KNOW I can handle things better if I can curse. But I do wonder how I would feel if I were allowed to say something like "flipper" for a couple months as a curse word beforehand, so I could get used to it, then try the exercise.
Best luck with your submission!
I wish you a hell of a lot of luck!
This has been a topic of discussion at The Mystery Place (Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen) and also Criminal Brief. Outside the stricture of religious or children's stories, it's a ƒ-ing subjective decision.
I totally buy it.
Kathy- Ha! I didn't even think about the advertising. I hate to admit it, but I might already be disqualified for the study since I've been at least a pro-am swearer for years.
Laura- I tried the FUDGE route for a while once, and I do tend to use "freakin" as a milder alternative. Though I do enjoy coming up with new WHATEVER on a WHATEVER curses, but a string of classics still satisfies.
Leigh- Thanks a helluva lot, and you're right, it's freakin' subjective. I'm going to explore the links you provided, and I hope I don't need to sanitize my sainted eyeballs afterward.
Charles- It's a truth we instinctively recognize! Glad science is catching up with common sense on this pressing issue. Of course, I shouldn't make fun. After all, we're talking about it here, aren't we?
Oh, /&c%*@@^/^$ yeah.
Clare! I would never have suspected you of being a pro-am cusser! lol
I can make a sailor blush if I don't watch what I'm saying though ;)
Leah- Is that the verb form, or are you using Continental spelling?
Hidden depths, Reb, plus all those years in bands and behind the bar. Good to know I'm not alone.
Post a Comment