I have what has been labeled over the years as a "potty mouth." I use "dirty language." My words have a tendency to be a bit "blue" or even "off-color" at times. Simply put, I've got a cussin' problem.

And to that I say So fuckin' what?

I readily admit that there are plenty of viable, articulate, five-plus letter words that can be used in conversation to make a point or emphasize a statement. It's been said that a person with an adequate education and a proper upbringing has little or no use for curse words or dirty slang. I get it; I really do.

But while it may be "nice" or "polite" or "considerate" to keep the cursing to a minimum, I feel it's sometimes necessary to be verbally bombastic. We all have had moments when saying "fuck" felt so much better---so much righter---than saying "fudge." Or "shit" instead of "stuff." Or, heaven help me, "cunt" instead of "that unpleasant woman."

There is a time and a place for blue language, of course. Obviously when you're having dinner with your new in-laws, it'd make a much better impression not to ask, "Could you pass the salt, please? This meatloaf's bland as a motherfucker." In front of small children, as well, I believe it's best to keep your tongue firmly in check. Sure, it may be cute when she says it at home, but imagine Teacher's face when little Janey says she needs to wash her hands because "the glue got 'em all fuckin' sticky" and "this glitter shit got all over the goddamn place."

But when you're with friends, when conversation's lively, when you're brain is going faster than your tongue . . . what the hell, right? And they are just words after all, folks. Words that somebody assigned a meaning to long before any of us were born. Another flip of the coin and children could have had their mouths washed out with shit for saying the word "soap." (Think about that one; it makes sense, I promise.)

That's about all I've got to say one the subject for now. Until next time, kids: Keep on fuckin'.

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