Stephen Fry discussing swear words with Craig Ferguson

[SGellerstedt]

What about BDSM? Torture can also be an erotic expression of lust.

[tidalwavedave305]

Well done Stephen. A more Englishy and academic version of something Lenny Bruce said fifty years ago. Charming.

[Anthonybradley67]

Fuck you fuckers, you fucking fuckers are fucking fucked.

[MissHystic]

The word 'fuck' doesn't necessarily mean sex, the way it's used is as an act you perform on someone, not /with/ someone, "I fucked them" which has connotations of dominance, aggression and no allusion to consent.

[WalterLiddy]

@MissHystic That's true. However, the context in which it is considered most offensive and the reason it is 'taboo' is as a word for the sex act.

[trekkiebeth]

The F word is not the same as saying "making love" or even "sex" because it is designed to be offensive and/or crude. A bad word is bad because it's meant to be offensive or crude, not necessarily because of the definition of the word.

[RadgarEleding]

@trekkiebeth I think you're missing the whole point. Stephen is saying that while fuck may be meant as inherently offensive, the word 'torture' refers to one of the most heinous acts our species can commit, and yet its use is commonplace and non-offensive. It's the culture that determines how a word is used and how its use is received. Our culture just happens to have determined that violence is more publicly acceptable than sex. Personally, I blame religion.

[trekkiebeth]

@RadgarEleding But the word "sex" and the phrase "make love" aren't offensive. The F word is because it's meant to be. The word torture isn't offensive, even though the thing it describes is. "Sex" vs "F***" can be compared to the difference between "gay" and "f*g." They both technically describe the same thing, but one is offensive and one isn't. If you want, you can argue that words like torture are thrown around too casually, but that's a different issue.

[DannyEastes]

He has a really, REALLY good point.

[IDontDoDrumCovers]

i question it, its fucking stupid

[JackyRowe]

@hempartist420 Ah ok! It's just that it's got to such a stage here that Prince Charles described him last year as a "National Treasure", so you can imagine what we think of him here

[JackyRowe]

So how is Stephen Fry received in America? Do you lot know who he is, or is he just another english chap you still haven't heard of?

[thefinalflower]

@JackyRowe He isn't incredibly well known here, I don't think (though watchers of BONES probably know him).Those of us do who know who he is all seem to adore him, and really, I can't think of a legitimate reason why someone wouldn't. Then again, like hempartis said, a select few might take offense at his sexual preference, silly as it seems.

[pmgallant]

@JackyRowe I can't speak for Americans, but as an Atlantic Canadian, I think he's absolutely amazing and I love watching QI. Some of the funniest material I've ever seen.

[SackFulloApplez1993]

@JackyRowe No, if you were to talk to an American from the street. They're first concerned would be why his nose is crooked, and then when you would tell them that he is Jewish they wouldn't like him, and finally when you tell them that he's also a homosexual atheist, they'd wanna hang him from a tree talkin bout jesus like that. It's a good thing they don't know him here or else he'd have to be driven around in a popemobile. Every dark cloud has a silver lining I suppose.

[JackyRowe]

@SackFulloApplez1993 Wow, interesting response!

[SackFulloApplez1993]

@JackyRowe I see things for what they are, is all. If America was an understanding paradise I would say so, but alas I wouldn't part from here for all the gold in the world. Think fondly of me Mr/Ms/Mrs or whatever.

[marvolomethod]

love him reading the harry potter books.... im not much of a reader but iv listend to every book like 40 times

[MrGarry2uPSN]

Swearing is an important part of language development. When a kid learns swear words you should be proud of how they were able to put the word in the right place of the sentence. It shows understanding of verbs, adjectives, and is a great way to express emotion. When I hear music and movies being bleeped, I think "Fuck the fucking fuckers".

[b33p3rz]

@MrGarry2uPSN In some instances yes, but it also has to be taught that it's inappropriate at times, and I do not think the F word qualifies here, as it can qualify as a verb, adjective, adverb, and noun all at the same time. Fuck is just an emotionally charged expletive that's overused...Doesn't show much class or intelligence.

[93cian]

@MrGarry2uPSN I think it would take a lot more than a kid being "able to put the word in the right place of the sentence" to feel anything like pride. You're basically saying "you should be proud when a kid can speak somewhat coherently".

[mickeyb1000]

There is a biological basis for these taboos against sexually explicit language. Historically language associated with sex constituted advertising of sexuality which in turn could threaten the family unit. This is why these words became seen as inappropriate.

[woodgatejack]

Mr Fry, once again you've blown my mind.

[rachelmacc]

wow that's a really good point :O

[transuk68]

Why oh why should a lady willy c word be a term of abuse? why do we say intercourse/eff off?

[G0LDENL0VEMUSIC]

no so much about the words . However using the word in referance to sex is a problem . its a negative word , a dirty word , an aggresive word, a word used to expression frustration and anger ? .... why do we call sex by this word ?

[alanpgoodwin]

@G0LDENL0VEMUSIC The reason that "the word" came into common usage in a sexual context is very simple. In flemish (arguably main root of anglo-saxon and quite manifestly the root of scottish and, indeed most Northern English accents and dialects), "the word" was used to describe the rhythmic beating of a bird's (esp. bird of prey) wings. As with the origins of so many words it is onomatapeic, that is to say that the word is reminiscent of a sound.

[Bazuzeus]

he is so brilliant...

[frigaruipui]

Oh, the irony in the fact that they bleeped out the f-words in this clip.

[IIMALTEASERII]

interesting