How to Stop Cussing?

[Christopher2012]

Okay, I have a early New Years Resolution to stop cussing.

No offense to those who cuss alot, but I'm starting to realize that it's incredibly tacky. And I feel like an idiot for cussing sometimes. One big problem is video games. When I play competitive gaming like Call of Duty or Halo, I can get really frustrated and I'll yell cuss works at the top of my lungs. That's going to have to stop. The good news is that I don't really play competitive gaming much anymore. So that's good since it's a source.

The problem I have is that it's hard to stop something that you subconsciously do. I've been trying to do this off and on since I've been in high school. So I guess my attempts haven't really been successful.

And like I said, if you cuss, I promise I'm not hating. I don't see people who cuss any differently (of course, since I cuss probably more than those people do). I just would like to quit to better myself.

 

[o2bebd]

This maybe a possible solution. A friend of my ex-husband had just had a baby and we had went over to see visit. The rule of the house was no cuss words around the baby. It was a $.25 for every cuss word. They had a jar that you had to put the moeny into. needless to say, in the mist of conversation, I said shit. I had to pay the fine. I pulled out a quater and was contributing to the kids college fund. They already had over $200.00 and the kid was 2 weeks old!
I would say plan a trip and start collecting quarters. It is a possible solution anyway.

 

[silverwhisper]

christopher, i don't think the issue is swearing so much as how you express anger or frustration. changing your vocabulary is certainly going to help--but perhaps it would be better to work on managing your anger or frustration so you have less reason to swear?

when my BIL became a father, i made a conscious choice to stop swearing around them--i didn't want to become the one that taught them new vocabulary words their parents resented. so using "fiddlesticks" instead of "fuck", or "crumb" instead of "shit" became part of it. but i was also an angrier person then, and i've become a lot calmer.

(well, except while driving...)

just a thought.

ed

 

[NippleMuncher]

so using "fiddlesticks" instead of "fuck", or "crumb" instead of "shit" became part of it

ed

Reminds me of an old George Carlin routine about swearing. "Can't fool me, shoot is shit with two oh's."

I agree with your sentiments on expressing anger and frustration. Around the house my language tends to be quite salty, but when I am interacting with others I am constantly making a concerted effort to curb my language. I also tend to watch what I use on the internet.

 

[NomadLady]

I've been thinking about this as a New Years Resolution as well...I've noticed lately its gotten too frequent but I think it might have something to do with having two full time jobs and little time to relax and have fun.
However, I am glad to know I'm not the only one with this issue.

 

[rosco rathbone]

I'm also trying to cut down. I really, really hate when other people use a lot of profanity but I'm pretty bad myself. I only recently started noticing that with many educated young people who ought to know better, it's the done thing now a days to put a "fucking" between every word.

 

[NippleMuncher]

I'm also trying to cut down. I really, really hate when other people use a lot of profanity but I'm pretty bad myself. I only recently started noticing that with many educated young people who ought to know better, it's the done thing now a days to put a "fucking" between every word.

You've obviously never hung out around a live theater.

Actors and writers seem to think that liberal use of the F word is the makings of a hit. I'm sorry, profanity reduces the "intellect" of anyone who uses it, particularly those with a penchant for profanity.

 

[swtrthnhoney]

When you started cussing, it was not a subconscious thing. You consciously chose to use the curse words until they became 2nd nature.
So, you have to consciously choose to use a different way of expressing yourself. Try it, after awhile you will no longer want to cuss.
I truly believe this because I did it. I cursed like a sailor (and drank whiskey and smoked cigars). Once I decided I no longer wanted to curse, I found other ways of expressing myself. (What's even better about this is that you can bless someone out who does curse and they don't have a clue what you just said to them - can't even think of a retort.)
One night I was so upset that I didn't fix my motorcycle and this was my third time cleaning the carbs, I proclaimed that I wanted to take up cursing, smoking cigars, and drinking whiskey again. I couldn't even think if the first curse word. I even tried on out "shit" and it just didn't feel right.
Try it!

 

[infinity706]

You've obviously never hung out around a live theater.

Actors and writers seem to think that liberal use of the F word is the makings of a hit. I'm sorry, profanity reduces the "intellect" of anyone who uses it, particularly those with a penchant for profanity.

Profanity doesn't reduce the intellect. I've even expanded the vocabularies of people that swear like a sailor. There's tons of vulgar words out there that don't get enough love. When was the last time anyone used the word "trollop," for example?

 

[NomadLady]

Profanity doesn't reduce the intellect. I've even expanded the vocabularies of people that swear like a sailor. There's tons of vulgar words out there that don't get enough love. When was the last time anyone used the word "trollop," for example?

Jeez..here I am with another "Golden Girls" reference....Dorothy called Blanche a "trollop" just the other night in an episode...LOL

I know I can get a handle on mine...it's more stress related in my case but I am enjoying the suggestions.

 

[Christopher2012]

I appreciate the suggestions, guys. But I've come to realize that cussing isn't the only thing I need to cut out.

I need to think more before I speak in general. That's an even harder task... sigh...

Any suggestion on that as well?

 

[NippleMuncher]

I appreciate the suggestions, guys. But I've come to realize that cussing isn't the only thing I need to cut out.

I need to think more before I speak in general. That's an even harder task... sigh...

Any suggestion on that as well?

Get yourself one of those dog training shock collars. When you swear, give yourself a zap. Better yet, rate the swear words on a scale of 1 -5, which interestingly corresponds to the intensity levels of the shock.

As for thinking more before you speak, internet forums are actually a good place for that, it allows you to fully form your thought before hitting the "submit" button. I've written many a novel, only to hit the delete button and change the attitude of my post OR not post at all. It helps you to start thinking before you speak in real life as well, at least it has for me.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Profanity doesn't reduce the intellect. I've even expanded the vocabularies of people that swear like a sailor. There's tons of vulgar words out there that don't get enough love. When was the last time anyone used the word "trollop," for example?

Does it physically drop your IQ level? No, but it absolutely lowers the perception of your social ranking into the stereotypical toilet. Like it or not, you are judged by the words you use.

 

[remy_lebeau8]

I find I can cuss around all but my mom and grandma. Try talking like you would to your mom. If your mom cusses like a sailor this method probably won't work though.

Remy