Foo - Why are the commonly used words for sex profane?

This occured to me the other day. Whatever happened to coitus? I think the George Carlin could have used it without issue.

This occured to me the other day. Whatever happened to coitus?

&%$# if I know!

:rolleyes:

Funny subject, and a few years ago I got a rather bizarre explanation for this.

Keep in mind that I do not endorse this explanation, nor do I know if it has any merit, but the person who provided it is usually keen on such trivia.

The way she explained it is that "bad words" date back to the Norman and Saxon days. Basically, the Normans were in charge and one day the head honcho declared that all the Saxon words for things were forbidden. So f*** was bad, but fornticate was ok. sh** was bad, but deficate was ok. So was feces. And so on.

Like I said, this could be a bunch of hogwash, but it was a curious explanation nonetheless. I've always wondered if it had any merit to it at all.

Sounds reasonable. Those lousy Saxons were all potty mouths.

I figured it had something to do with prudish religious zealots who could make sex sound worse then war. Like "r" and "x" ratings for sex but violence going over fine with a "pg".

sex as in XX or XY!?

Funny subject, and a few years ago I got a rather bizarre explanation for this.

Keep in mind that I do not endorse this explanation, nor do I know if it has any merit, but the person who provided it is usually keen on such trivia.

The way she explained it is that "bad words" date back to the Norman and Saxon days. Basically, the Normans were in charge and one day the head honcho declared that all the Saxon words for things were forbidden. So f*** was bad, but fornticate was ok. sh** was bad, but deficate was ok. So was feces. And so on.

Like I said, this could be a bunch of hogwash, but it was a curious explanation nonetheless. I've always wondered if it had any merit to it at all.

The BF filters this url too, so you'll have to fill in the "*"
etymology (http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/****.htm)
This link points to the hogwash too. First because of the definition of the "nice" Norman word excludes sex between hubby and wife. Second the source of the saxon term is germanic. I am no lexicographer as my many mispellings suggest but this seems enough to dispute the above theory.

And besides, it doesn't really explian why school kids don't talk about "coitus" and so on. If they would only use the legal words, there'd be no issues.

There is a degree of fun or eroticism in being "bad". The profane versions have more agressive implications.

you mean the inside slip 'n slide?

i dunno. :D

sex as in XX or XY!?
Funny shows how old I am
http://www.mpaa.org/movieratings/about/index.htm

No more "x" rating.

that's interesting
it's kinda funny to imagine a group of scholars sitting around a table discussing and arguing about the origin of ****
It's a living. But someone has to do it. Glad that they teach more than geriatrics and engineering.

Sex was considered part of a holy union of marriage blessed by God. Of course, you don't know that, and, of course, that is why you will burn in Hell.

It's part of the Puritannical culture we've inherited. Although it is thankfully somewhat watered down, our words for most natural bodily functions are to be abhorred, while any terms for aggression are A-OK. Despite the fact that we are apparently created in God's image, the image of him pinching a loaf on the toilet is still too much for most people. The idea of him sending natural disasters to "sinners" is a positive thing, though.

Ejaculate!

Sex was considered part of a holy union of marriage blessed by God. Of course, you don't know that, and, of course, that is why you will burn in Hell.
At least I'll be going somewhere when I die. Ok so it is by definition.
Main Entry: 1pro·fane
Pronunciation: prO-'fAn, pr&-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): pro·faned; pro·fan·ing
Etymology: Middle English prophanen, from Latin profanare, from profanus<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
1 : to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt : DESECRATE

So if you talk about it nicely it's ok? Perhaps if it is integrated into worship. That sounds like middle english muddling. Since even that came about 1500 years after JC. So what happened then that made sex bad, then? Wasn't there a war or something?

Was it this? (Turn your sound down) (http://mysite.verizon.net/res6rexj/id3.html)

To my understanding the "F" word comes from the Dutch word "fokken" meaning to strike; copulate with.

Some believe it is an acronym meaning for unlawful carnal knowledge (an actual legal term). And others still believe it dates back to early England times when the letters were displayed at the entrance to "houses of ill repute" standing for fornication under concent of the king.

Carlin did the college circuit. College kids always want to think of themselves as worldly and superior to the previous generation. Many college men don't want marriage; they want sex.

I preferred Dangerfield--

"My wife has no class, no class at all. We went to the opera. She forgot the sandwiches."

To my understanding the "F" word comes from the Dutch word "fokken" meaning to strike; copulate with.

Some believe it is an acronym meaning for unlawful carnal knowledge (an actual legal term). And others still believe it dates back to early England times when the letters were displayed at the entrance to "houses of ill repute" standing for fornication under concent of the king.

Check out the link in 11 that does away with the ancronym theory. It's odd but "profanity" the word itself, came to be during middle english. (1350-1485) Around the time of the viking kitties, right? So nothing really could have been profane until after that word came to be. Though it probably took some time for the word to appear. Maybe it had something to do with the vikings behavoir. R&P and all.

http://users.wolfcrews.com/toys/vikings/

The Norman Conquest and Middle English (1100-1500)

Check out the link in 11 that does away with the ancronym theory. It's odd but "profanity" the word itself, came to be during middle english. (1350-1485) Around the time of the viking kitties, right? So nothing really could have been profane until after that word came to be. Though it probably took some time for the word to appear. Maybe it had something to do with the vikings behavoir. R&P and all.

http://users.wolfcrews.com/toys/vikings/

The Norman Conquest and Middle English (1100-1500)

HA...I LOVE IT!! Too funny!!! Did you see "looking for my leapord"...I died!