Reply #21: Foul language was VERY prevalent ... [View All]

[chicagiana]

One of the things that sepearated the upper classes from the lower classes was the use of vulgarity. This was an indulgence that the hoopleheads were allowed (you'll notice not a single F-word has passed Mrs. Garret or Mr. Wolcott's lips).

I DID do some reading on the use of the F-word in this period. Apparently, the use of the word FUCK, was not used in this context at the time. It WAS a verb meaning the same thing it does today. But it would have the same effect as saying Copulate, or Screw.

The prevelant taboo of that day wasn't sex as it is today. The prevalent taboo was taking the lord's name in vain. Hence the dispossessed would indulge in it regularaly. So as opposed to hearing "Fuck" every other word, the people of the era would sound a LOT like Yosemite Sam. God Dammit, tarnation, hell, anything making reference to a rejection of god or the invocation of dark places would be good profanity.

The producers decided to substitue an equivalent profanity from the terms of shock value. So instead of: Hell, Tarnation, God Dammit, Damnation. You get Cock, Cunt, Fuck, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, Rutting, etc...

Outside the presence of women and children, men do tend to talk in EXTREMELY vulgar ways. It's not hard to wonder why such language would be prevalent on a sailing vessel or a pioneer town.

So don't be a prudish cunt about it.