Even though this was a scholarly article, the boy in me who turned 12 in the 60's (don't get cute with that statement!)was tickled to read this (don't get cute with that one either). I have long marveled at the power of words to make establishment types groan like a constipated bank teller (another 60's giveaway). I love the word "fuck" - it's so simple and short. With it's hard consonant (watch it!) ending and it's exceptional utility, this is perhaps both the happiest and angriest word in the English language. Once, on a lark, I deliberately tried to use it in every sentence during a night of drinking. I told no one, and no one noticed (at least that's what i tell myself), and it was surprisingly easy to do. After 3 beers, I forgot the task at hand and still succeeded to continue on with my experiment. My mom used to tell me using that saying "fuck" was a sign of poor vocabulary skills. As a result I have an amazing vocabulary that I usually choose not to use. to which I say - "fuck me!!!"

Hey M001, I enjoyed that. I’m sure you’ve heard that saying: “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth”? In over half a century I have never once heard my mother utter the word “fuck”. I rarely vocalize the word, but I sometimes use it in writing; I imagine it adds impact, but that’s probably just in my head, and in the heads of others who feel the same way I do about the word “fuck”.

The first time someone responded to one of my posts on the Fray with a “Fuck You” my head nearly exploded. I had seen others respond to others that way, but this felt different, you know, because it was me and all. One memory, from way back in my college days, that has stayed with me is communication is receiver oriented (though I don’t always remember to remember that). I originally was going to post George Carlin’s Seven dirty words; there is no time like the present.

(There is a short version, but to heck with that.)

WARNING: This piece contains vulgar language—lots and lots of it—that may be inappropriate for children or the faint of heart.