wyliecoyoteuk wrote:Again, wrong. Swearing is meant to be rude or objectionable, that is its main purpose.
Oh, dear, oh, dear
If people
must quibble semantics then I suggest they don't do it with an ex English teacher
To swear
–verb (used without object)
1. to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.
2. to bind oneself by oath.
3. to give evidence or make a statement on oath.
4. to use profane oaths or language
Sticking with the meaning '4' ... (presumably the one you all prefer) ...
profane
–adjective
1. characterized by irreverence or contempt for god or sacred principles or things; irreligious.
2. not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular (opposed to sacred).
3. unholy; heathen; pagan: profane rites.
4. not initiated into religious rites or mysteries, as persons.
5. common or vulgar.
Sticking with the meaning '5' ... (presumably the one you all prefer) ...
vulgar
1. characterized by ignorance of or lack of good breeding or taste: vulgar ostentation.
2. indecent; obscene; lewd: a vulgar work; a vulgar gesture.
3. crude; coarse; unrefined: a vulgar peasant.
4. of, pertaining to, or constituting the ordinary people in a society: the vulgar masses.
5. current; popular; common: a vulgar success; vulgar beliefs.
6. spoken by, or being in the language spoken by, the people generally; vernacular: vulgar tongue.
7. lacking in distinction, aesthetic value, or charm; banal; ordinary: a vulgar painting.
Sticking with the meaning '2' ... (presumably the one you all prefer) ... if you examine the meanings of the words 'obscene', 'indecent', 'lewd', you will find that they are circular in reference, being synonyms
So, let's go with ...
obscene
–adjective
1. offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved: obscene language.
2. causing uncontrolled sexual desire.
3. abominable; disgusting; repulsive.
And
morality, I'm afraid, is in the eye of the beholder - It's relative
You may use Old English words in order to achieve the effect of being rude and/or objectionable
Others, however, will be far more offended by a drawing of Mohammed
So ... no, not wrong ... just not
your interpretation of the term