Gentlemen Don’t Need Curse Words

Day 31 – I made it to one month. That’s one full month, 31 days, of blogging. Sure, blogging every day has been tough, but it has been well worth it.

Tonight, we shot Pub Politics: Episode 72. Before the show, I noticed two children sitting in the corner of the bar with their parents. I told my co-host Phil and guests Alphonse, Ann and Will to watch their mouths. Then I thought to myself, really? Should we only be watching our mouths when children are present?

I immediately thought of these words by the Avett Brothers from “Tear Down The House”:

Ever since I learned how to curse

I’ve been using those sorry old words

But, I’m talkin’ to these children

And I’m keeping it clean

I don’t need those words

To say what I mean

No, I don’t need those words

To say what I mean

In particular, I really like the line “I don’t need those words to say what I mean.” Some people may need those words. If so, they are ignorant and definitely not gentlemen. A gentleman does not need inappropriate language to voice a thought.

George Washington once said, “The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.”

I’ve had a bad problem with cursing for a very long time. I have no clue how, why or when it started. It just did, probably during that drunken haze that was the University of South Carolina. Or perhaps it was the fault of Dr Dre, Eazy-E or the Wu Tang Clan.

It wasn’t until Will Folks published our text messages that I realized how out of hand I had become. During business meetings, family dinners, podcasts and even emails, curse words became just like any other word. People would cringe, and I would ignore them. It took a huge public embarrassment to get my attention.

This year, I have been working very hard to cut down on my cursing. I would like those words completely eliminated from my vocabulary by New Years, and I’m determined to make it happen. I’m not an idiot, and I don’t like people thinking I am. I have the ability to express myself without offending other people. You do too.

It’s probably because of our entertainment culture, in particular rap music and celebrity trash TV, that cursing has become so accepted. It’s incredibly sad to see our world becoming dumber, or at least looking dumber. We can do something about it. I hope you’ll consider joining me.