Fun with Curses

Well here you go: the final fruits of my labor. This is basically a summary of my endeavor to find out what makes words offensive. It's been a nightmare in the making but I am pleased with the results.

Nearing a Conclusion

Time is winding down on this inglorious experiment of mine. Having been pursuing this for over a month now I am starting to see trends. Close to when I began this I noticed that the word "cunt" is clearly one of if not the most offensive words in the English language. I started asking people why they thought this was the case and many couldn't really say. Some would say, "It's just one of those things you don't say," or, "It's a girl thing, I can't really explain it." One answer that intrigued me was, "It just sounds awful." One commenter compared it to nails on a chalkboard. This comment supports my hypothesis that I had made at the beginning which was that it has more to do with the sound of the word than the actual meaning.

Truthfully I can't say I am surprised by these results. It really has everything to do with how a word sounds and is said. Take the infamous N-word for example: it derives all of its power from the person who says it. I knew that going in and expected to confirm it which I did.

Anyways, in a few days I will be uploading a video here which will better explain my findings. In addition I will unveil my final portmanteau curse. Hopefully I will be able to slip it into conversation but all in all I think I am happy with what I have already learned. Even if it doesn't end up on Urban Dictionary I will still be satisfied.

Time to Ask the Masses

Well since Facebook messages and email invites aren't getting me anywhere I've decided to take my hunt for obscenity to the streets. People on "teh internets" seem to be rather lazy when it comes to participating in things so I instead of waiting for answers, I will go out and hunt for them. Tomorrow, meaning Saturday the 12th, I will be wandering around RPI and the surrounding area with a camera. I will be wearing an "RPI SUCKS" T-shirt so I should be easy to spot. I will be asking the following questions; what is your favorite curse word and what is the most offensive curse word.

In addition to my more active information gathering tactics I plan to expand this project in other ways. For instance when all is said and done I might just print up some bumper stickers or maybe even t-shirts. My ultimate goal is to come up with some nonsensical word of offense which I can casually sneak into conversation and hopefully into the lexicon of society (or at least RPI students).

And the Envelope Goes To...

Callooh! Kallay! O Frabjous Day! Portmanteau words cower in fear for I have found your destroyer. It took a lot of number crunching and name calling but it all worked out. After running all of your submissions through my patented hatred distillery unit I have come up with the following results which I have broken into categories.

Offensive words come in all shapes and sizes so I have divided my results into 1, 2, or 3 syllable words. Why you ask? Well some words need a few extra letters to convey all that hate while most can get it done in four letters. So without further ado, I present to you the most offensive words ever written!

With three syllables we have: Cundygot!
(Offended yet?)

Slightly more concentrated at two syllables we have: Faggunt!
(Want to punch me yet?)

And last but certainly not least we have a bit of a tie. A three-way at that! I couldn't decide since all of these final words get so much across with so few letters. Our three finalists in the one syllable group are:

Gunt! Fyke! Spunt!

Well there you go ladies and gentlemen. The most offensive words I could come up with. Feel free to use them but exercise caution. Use them enough to make them stick in peoples' minds but don't overuse them. I really don't want to have to do this again next year people. Don't fuck this up you fucking gunts! (Oooooh that one's a keeper!)