the C word and a question

I'm also from the West of Scotland, and here the c-word is used just to generally mean "someone" - both my grandmothers used it frequently! There's a bit of a north-south divide with it, but it probably has more to do with class differences.

Witness the fuss over the Ken Loach film, Sweet Sixteen, which was awarded an 18 certificate by the UK censors because of the frequency of its use. There was much debate over this because the censors are London-based, and generally middle-class, so were ignoring the fact that the word is just a typical element of the colourful lexicon employed by young, working-class males in the west of Scotland.

Another example is Gary Oldman's Nil by Mouth, which is peppered with the c-word, but again, simply reflecting the language used on the south London estates which it depicts, and not always carrying an offensive intent.

It does seem more commonly used in Britain than in America, I'm not sure why that would be, something to do with our coarse Anglo-Saxon heritage!

Incidentally, the first use on British TV was not in 1976 as indicated in a post above - it was actually in a live TV debate, presented by David Frost, in 1970, and was used by publisher Felix Dennis. It's first scripted use on UK network television came 9 years later in 1979. There is no outright ban on any language on UK network TV, but there are rules restricting the most offensive terms (basically f- and c-words) to after 9pm. The regulators Ofcom, the British equivalent of the FCC, maintain a list of offensiveness, and the c-word is fixed at the top!

not at all - too much of a generalisation.
It's the one remaining taboo word here and seldom gets an airing on public broadcast channels. It's not a word either myself, or friends would use in mixed company, but it is a refuge when industrial strength put downs are required.

all these 'c' 'f' 'b' 'p' words are getting me really confused. words are only as powerful as you respond to them. Mind you, it is rather satisfying to say on occassions a short, sharp expletive. Rather than everyday language, I like to keep them for special occassions like when I hit my thumb with the hammer.
But in saying that I have no problem with swearing in movies or books. In fact it would be unnatural not to have them.
What IS rediculous is the fact that I would have my post deleted if I dared say the 'f' or 'c' word here.

I dont think the poster was trying to be superior. maybe it was just that the person hadnt seen many films other than american.
the C word here is like the ultimate bad word.. if someone says it, male or female, especially in the presence of another female, theyd best take a step or 2 back and hope theres a door close by. on the other hand, 'p_ssy' is used like "youre a wimp", and not as offensive even tho we're talking about the same body part. why? i think its just what we're used to. thats all.
just because they asked a question doesnt mean anyone is superior or inferior. i did, however take offense to your comment that americans think they are culturally superior. i happen to be american. im also of scottish heritage, and working class, and maybe considered lowlife to some because we dont have loads of money. (here we'd use the word white trash or trailer trash) and while we're on that subject. whats wrong with being working class? i happen to be proud of it.


"RAY!! ya take that diaper off yer head and ya put it back onto yer sister!"-Dot, raising arizona