Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Swear Reflex


As anyone who has read my novels could have guessed, I'm a bit of swearer. But I'm not one of those crude people who use swear words in a casual manner. I'm from the old school and swear particularly for emphasis. A writer never likes to waste words.

This past weekend, I had a moment of proper use for an expletive. I was slicing up a particularly difficult tomato for lunch when the extremely sharp knife slipped, stabbing me in the palm between my thumb and forefinger. It went deep, hitting a nerve that left my finger numb and tingly for nearly ten minutes. At the moment of impact, in my howl of pain, I let loose a drawn out, full volume, well articulated F*#K that sent the cats scrambling for cover.

Once everything was tended to and the feeling returned to my finger, I laughed at how my reaction in such situations is to swear. It's the same for many people. I started thinking how strange it is that a release of obscenity is the body's reaction to pain, and even stranger, how it helps to ease it. Another testament to the power of words...and the dangers of sharp knives.

6 comments:

  1. Very hard to use swear words in fiction. Often seems false but we all use them!

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  2. It can effective if done right. Irvine Welsh is a master at it.

    My first few books are swear heavy, and I think it works. However, I've abandoned it in my last few books. It all depends on the character and if its natural to his or her voice.

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  3. I too believe swearing emphasizes an emotion, not meant to be offensive or derogatory.

    Great post!

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  4. I never understood the concept of taking offense to a word of any kind not directed in a personal manner. The blanket objection to this word or that word really perplexes me. Words are words.

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  5. lol so true, I cut my finger the other day while cutting an orange and it hurt like a bitch! so yeah just had to say it. does make you feel better too

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  6. Haha thats so true! I try not to swear, especially around my parents or elders, but when I get hurt, it just kind of slips out...

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