OT - is this a "bad" word?

[Tinkermommy]

My co-worker's mother passed away suddenly. A few weeks later we were at work and she had to call and cancel her mom's airline ticket for an upcoming trip they were going on. After she hung up and composed herself, she turned around and looked at me and said, "This really sucks." I don't think she could have said that would have expressed her situation better.

As Shakespeare wrote "For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

Used sparingly, curse/naughty words can be very effective.

 

[PatsMom]

I never thought of sucks as a bad word. But we discourage using words in a way meant to hurt people. As someone pointed out saying "you suck" or "your're stupid" is a different thing than saying "homeworks sucks" or "I think learning fractions is stupid". Any word, used in a way meant to hurt someone, would be a bad word in my house.

But seeing some of these opinions does explain why a felt a few people were giving me the evil eye two weeks ago when I work my T shirt that says "Cancer Sucks" at Walt Disney World. It never occurred to me that some people could find that offensive. If anyone can say that cancer doesn't suck, they haven't ever been told they have it.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

But seeing some of these opinions does explain why a felt a few people were giving me the evil eye two weeks ago when I work my T shirt that says "Cancer Sucks" at Walt Disney World. It never occurred to me that some people could find that offensive. If anyone can say that cancer doesn't suck, they haven't ever been told they have it.

I would wear that shirt proudly.

My aunt is currently fighting Breast Cancer and while she has never been the type to cuss she made herself a t-shirt that says F*** Cancer. She doesn't wear it in public but it does make her feel better to wear it on the days she is stuck at home after Chemo.

I think I will have to get her a "Cancer Sucks" one so she can wear it outside the house.

 

[aprilgail2]

To us sucks is not a bad word...nor is stupid or freaking..... this freaking sucks is frequently used! Actually I am happy she still uses freaking---walk in the Jr high and all you hear is the F-Bomb being dropped all over the place....amazing how these kids can get 4 F-Bombs in ONE sentence!!!

 

[PatsMom]

I would wear that shirt proudly.

My aunt is currently fighting Breast Cancer and while she has never been the type to cuss she made herself a t-shirt that says F*** Cancer. She doesn't wear it in public but it does make her feel better to wear it on the days she is stuck at home after Chemo.

I think I will have to get her a "Cancer Sucks" one so she can wear it outside the house.

www.zazzle.com has lots of cancer t-shirts. I think that is where mine came from - it was a gift. They also have chemo grad t-shirts.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

OP, I have not read through all of the posts, here's my take on "bad" words...
If a person's intention is to swear, then sucks would be a bad word. As a pp mentioned, it's in the spirit of how you use the word. I personally don't care if other people swear, but at our house we don't.

I had an 8yr old tell me not too long ago that she believes people who use curse words to express themselves, have poor vocabulary skills. I asked her why she thought that (I assumed her parents told it to her that way) and she responded "there's an entire dictionary full of really smart words, why would anyone use bad words to express themselves?" I don't know where she got that analogy, but I must admit, it really made me think about it....because it was an 8yr old that said it.

 

[hsmamato2]

Well, sucks comes from the phrase to suck...you know what. That's why the "older generation" thinks it is a bad word. It got shortened and my/your generation equate it to "stinks". In its spirit, it is most definitely a filthy word or phrase. :

yeah..that

 

[mamacatnv]

I have not read all 5 pages
We are a divided household

DH thinks it totally is a bad word and shusshes me all the time which I ignore
Me and therefore the kids have the whats the big deal attitude, we view it along with the same lines as stinks.

For the record, I have a bit of a potty mouth and DH rarely and I mean rarely swears

 

[KristaTX]

I don't have kids, so we don't really have word "rules" in our house. However, I can't say the words "sucks" and "pissed" without feeling crude and cringing at myself. They just don't come out comfortably, and I don't necessarily want them to. I guess I just don't get using bodily terms or functions in regards to non-bodily things. I will say things "stink" or that I am "mad".

I can say "stupid" and "hate" without feeling awkward, though. Some things are stupid. And I hate some things. Mayonnaise comes to mind .

Of real "curse" words, even **** is easier for me to say than than "sucks" or "pissed". I know that will be starred out, so think "shoot" if you are wondering which word I meant . I think it's because I am very literal, and "sucks" and "pissed" don't really make sense literally. Nor does the F word most of the time. Those all just sound stupid to me .

 

[LuvLDM]

It doesn't bother me to hear adults say it.

The other day I asked my 11yr. old how her day was, she replied "it sucked". I didn't like it, it's just crass.
She may speak that way w/ her friends but I don't want to hear it and she damn well better not speak that way in front of other adults or young children.

 

[TwinsinCA]

I am a lot more lenient than some of you. Sucks, stupid, hate, etc -- none are on the 'don't say' list in our house. However we do try to impress upon them that there is a time and a place and to watch it a bit while at school.

 

[CathrynRose]

I am a lot more lenient than some of you. Sucks, stupid, hate, etc -- none are on the 'don't say' list in our house. However we do try to impress upon them that there is a time and a place and to watch it a bit while at school.

Me too. But keeping in mind my boys are 15 & 19. Saying 'sucks' is the least of my worries, KWIM?

Not to mention, I can hear them talking to each other. They embellish "suck" even more.

 

[C.Ann]

I think some of these words just vary from family to family - what's considered okay and what isn't..

In my case (when my kids were younger) and in my DD's household it goes like this:

"suck" - is replaced with "stinks"

"hate" - is replaced with dislike - especially when in regards to a person)


"Freak/freakin'" - not allowed

"stupid" - not allowed

"retard" - never

"shut up" - never

---------------

It's really just individual preferences - more than how "bad" the word is - or if it's considered a "curse" word..

 

[KimR]

Doesn't bother me at all, but then again profanity doesn't really bother me in general, although I agree there is a time and a place. The overuse of 'like', on the other hand, drives me up a wall.

 

[mhsjax]

Doesn't bother me at all, but then again profanity doesn't really bother me in general, although I agree there is a time and a place. The overuse of 'like', on the other hand, drives me up a wall.

Like, what do you mean?

I so wish they had a pic of a blond twirling her hair and smacking gum for this comment.

 

[momtoprincess A]

It doesn't bother me, but my son's gr.7 teacher wouldn't let them use it in his class. He made them replace it with "Vacuum"

 

[Hannathy]

To us sucks is not a bad word...nor is stupid or freaking..... this freaking sucks is frequently used! Actually I am happy she still uses freaking---walk in the Jr high and all you hear is the F-Bomb being dropped all over the place....amazing how these kids can get 4 F-Bombs in ONE sentence!!!

Yeah this gets said a lot in our house to along with frickin!


I would never ban stupid either some things are just stupid it is a perfectly good descriptive word. Actually all words have their places and I would never out right ban a word or a book or anything. the key is to know when to use each appropriately and THAT is what I have taught my kids not banning.

 

[Hedy]

This is really OT, but I lurk here the most... I try to teach my kids appropriate language. We don't really say things are "stupid" or use curse words or anything. My youngest still thinks the S word is "stupid." haha However, I had a friend mention another kid we know uses the word "sucks" alot and she was surprised at his "language." I guess I've never really thought of that word as being "bad."

I'm curious - Do you think "sucks" a bad word???

Not sure if it matters but we're talking about 10 year old boys....

When I was that age and I used it, I was told to "never use that word again, young lady." So yes, I do consider it a word I won't use in front of my mother.

 

[Magpie]

Yeah this gets said a lot in our house to along with frickin!


I would never ban stupid either some things are just stupid it is a perfectly good descriptive word. Actually all words have their places and I would never out right ban a word or a book or anything. the key is to know when to use each appropriately and THAT is what I have taught my kids not banning.

This!

I'm a writer. All words are appropriate, sometimes, under the right circumstances.

I remember the first time I wrote a graphic sex scene, including the naming of parts. I thought my fingers were going to fall off every time I typed a "naughty" word!

Oh, and in my family we say "sucks". And "friggin'". And a bunch of other stuff I suppose would get us blackballed in high society. But not too often, because we're generally happy people.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

No.