What is considered obscene language?

These include sexual vulgarities, other “dirty words”, political labels, ethnic slurs, insulting terms, and religious blasphemies. Obscene-to-naughty words and phrases can be classified into two main categories: profanities and vulgarities. Derivative uses of obscenity are discussed.

What qualifies as obscene?

Obscenity is a narrow category of unprotected expression that meets all of the following criteria: (a) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; (b) the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual ...

Is cursing considered obscenity?

Constitutional interpretation is tricky, especially when it comes to cursing. This is because some choose to categorize cursing under obscene language, an expression that falls under unprotected speech. In addition to obscene speech, the Supreme Court has ruled that some expressions do not fall under protected speech.

What are the 5 categories of profanity?

Pinker (2007) argued that swearwords can be distinguished based on the way it is used, which is in other words it is distinguished based on its function of aiming. There are 5 (five) types of swearing function according to Pinker. They are dysphemistic, idiomatic, abusive, emphatic, and cathartic swearing.

What is an example of obscene content?

California Obscenity Charges and Penalties

Examples of obscene matter include pornography videos, pictures, or billboards. Possession of obscene matter can include but is not limited film, filmstrip, photograph, negative, slide, photocopy, videotape, computer hardware, computer software, data storage media.

Obscene | what is OBSCENE definition

What is vulgar vs obscene?

According to Merriam-Webster, “vulgar" refers to something that is “offensive in language", or “lewdly or profanely indecent." “Obscene", on the other hand, is defined as “disgusting to the senses", “so excessive as to be offensive", and “abhorrent to morality or virtue, designed to incite lust or depravity."

What is offensive and obscene language?

Offensive language is the offence of using language in a way which could cause offence to a reasonable person in, near, or within hearing or view of a public place or school. This offence is a “contextual” offence and must be considered by the Court on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances.

What countries swear the most?

Croatia comes out on top, with over one hundred different explicit words and 5 million native speakers. Norway comes in at second place with 94 swear words for 5.6 million speakers, while their neighbours Sweden are also turning the air blue with their range of 120 explicit words.

What words are mild profanity?

What language has no swearing?

It's been suggested people can't swear in Japanese or Finnish, but the rumours are wrong in both cases - the only languages in which one cannot swear are 'artificial' ones such as Esperanto.

Why is the F word bad?

One folk etymology claims that it derives from “for unlawful carnal knowledge,” but this has been debunked by etymologists. The word became rarer in print in the 18th century when it came to be regarded as vulgar. It was even banned from the Oxford English Dictionary.

Is yelling profanity a crime?

In most cases, the law is on the side of the yeller. Speech, even when it is loud, offends or annoys others, is constitutionally protected. Additionally, there is legal precedent to establish that merely yelling or cursing does not substantiate a disorderly conduct charge.

Is it illegal to say bad words in public?

Generally, cursing in public is not an illegal offense. However, there are some instances where you still could be charged with disorderly conduct when cursing. This includes: If your language incites violence.

What are the 3 qualifications that make something obscene?

For content to be ruled obscene, it must meet a three-pronged test established by the Supreme Court: It must appeal to an average person's prurient interest; depict or describe sexual conduct in a "patently offensive" way; and, taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

Is obscene language illegal?

Under 18 U.S.C. Section 1464, “[w]hoever utters any obscene, indecent, or profane language by means of radio communication shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.” Under 18 U.S.C.

Is it illegal to be obscene?

Obscenity is not protected under First Amendment rights to free speech, and violations of federal obscenity laws are criminal offenses. The U.S. courts use a three-pronged test, commonly referred to as the Miller test, to determine if given material is obscene.

What can I say instead of the F word?

One alternative is to employ cursing-soundalike words. In place of the f-bomb you might use freaking or, if you were a Battlestar Galactica fan, fracking. Other G-rated epithets include kiss my grits, son-of-a-mother, Judas Priest, what the Sam Hill, and shut the front door.

Is shut up a bad word?

The phrase is probably a shortened form of "shut up your mouth" or "shut your mouth up". Its use is generally considered rude and impolite, and may also be considered a form of profanity by some.

What is the most used swear word?

A new survey shows that the "f-word," or as it's most commonly known, the "f-bomb," is used the most by Americans when it comes to cuss words, according to a new study by Wordtips, but there's other words that are used more others depending on where you live.

Is swearing bad in Germany?

Swearing is an important part of German culture, and natives use curse words in a variety of situations to express everything from anger to happiness. While the average person might be a bit too polite to use German swear words, it's important to understand their cultural context.

Is swearing common in Germany?

While bad words are used commonly in conversation among native German speakers, you probably won't find them in a vocabulary lesson in your textbook or online course. Despite sounding quite harsh and intimidating, German swears are easy to remember once you learn their literal translations and even more fun to say.

Why do Muslims not swear?

He is forbidden to swear by other than Allah since the Prophet said, "Allah forbade you to swear by your fathers. Whoever takes an oath, should swear by Allah or be silent." So he commands the silence for what is other than oath by Allah.]

Did people use the F word in the 1950s?

The F word was not used in our home in the 1950s or 1960s. Swearing was fairly common in blue-collar work environments and the military, which were exclusively male or nearly so.

Is it illegal to swear in Australia?

Accordingly, swearing in public is not necessarily illegal in NSW or other parts of Australia. However, it can be considered offensive language under certain circumstances, and therefore, could result in arrest and a fine or imprisonment.

What does God say about cussing?

Can Christians cuss? Here's the short answer: Do what you want. BUT. Don't use your words, whether curse words or not, to belittle, attack, or demean anyone.