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Profanity in Media
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Main Entry: **pro·fan·i·ty** Pronunciation: \prō- ˈ fa-nə-tē, prə-\ Function: //noun//Inflected Form(s): //plural// **pro·fan·i·ties**Date: 1607
 * 1 a** **:** the quality or state of being profane **b** **:** the use of profane language
 * 2 a** **:** profane language **b** **:** an utterance of profane language

Main Entry: **pro·fane** Pronunciation: \prō- ˈ fān, prə-\ Function: //transitive verb//Inflected Form(s): **pro·faned**; **pro·fan·ing**Etymology: Middle English //prophanen,// from Anglo-French //prophaner,// from Latin //profanare,// from //profanus//Date: 14th century
 * 1** **:** to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt **:**
 * 2** **:** to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use

Profanity has long been a way to express strong feelings, but up until recently it has been highly discouraged in ordinary talk, especially around women and children. In some cases it's an attempt to show power. Some people use bad language to intimidate others who aren't in a position to object to it. And in many cases it's just a mindless habit of verbal punctuation, just a notice me-e-e kind of talking. As you have noted, lately in the movies it has developed into a cheap way to deliberately shock people, much like unnecessary nudity or programmed violence.

Swearing is common in the hallways of high schools much more common than it was 10 years ago. Kids even bad-mouth their parents, friends and even their teachers It's not just rampant in school. It's crept into extracurricular activities and even sporting events. Profanity has become part of many teenagers' everyday language. Cussing is even going on in middle school, kids think cussing is cool, but in high school they just say the words because they don't think anything of it. Culture has gotten a lot looser about profanity. and media is a big influence on English language for teens today is the hip-hop culture and music. Even though profanity is common in daily language in students and adults, it’s becoming more common and, dare say, acceptable everywhere. Look at what's acceptable on TV and in the movies. Profanity, in Webster's New World Dictionary, is described in one word: swearing. Vulgarism is defined as a coarse word or phrase that is considered improper, while a swear word is literally a profane or obscene word or phrase. No matter what category a string of obscenities falls into, students say they hear the words echoing off the hallways daily. Now today its just become routine for parents teachers and everyone in society because they have become used to it. Not only the use of bad, vulgar language but a change in respect and manners. That's the kind of lingo that's happening on the street. They greet each other in unacceptable ways. Unfortunately, it's happening around the dinner table. It's a pattern of language that's ingrained and it's hard to change. There is one word students won't ever get away with the notorious “F" word. There's just a lot more profanity subjected to children He said little kids mimic what they hear, and if they hear an adult cussing at a ballgame, they are going to do it, too. They hear it so much. Some of the kids don't understand ... they don't think it is profanity. They just think that what you are suppose to say when something goes wrong it a shame of what we subject are our children to.

//How does profanity effect our view or self and others? You touch on it, but I'd like a little more detail.//


 * First Profane Word in Media:**

First profane word use in American Films was in 1939 by Clark Gable in the American Classic, "Gone with the Wind," produced by David O. Selznick. Famous line, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." According to Life Magazine, the movie industry censor, Joseph I. Breen, wanted to change "damn" to "darn". Even though they did not let him change it, this presented a milestone in television use of language.




 * Usage of Profanity:**

According to Mr. Hughes the author of "An Encyclopedia of Swearing," the most commonly expressed profanity words are fuck, shit, hell, damn goddamn, Jesus Christ, ass, oh my god, bitch and sucks. These eight words make up roughly 80% of all profanities. Two words, fuck and shit, account for one third to one half of them. The phrase "Oh My God" is used for 24% of women's Profanity. Below is the types of profanity categories.


 * Types of Profanity**

//I really like the way this is classified. Now go into more depth on perceptions of these different categories.//
 * 1) Abusive– to intimidate or insult, down-talking, or making fun of a person.
 * 2) Idiomatic–often used by kids and teens, showing off in front of their peers, and cursing to sound "cool.".
 * 3) Cathartic –quick reaction to an accident like falling or cutting your finger, people curse.
 * 4) Sexuality– Evokes images of revulsion at depravity. Profanity of a sexual nature conjures images of illegitimate or exploitive sexuality, jealousy, or the speaker's perception thereof.
 * 5) Disfavoured– Personal dislike of a certain race or type of people.


 * Non-Verbal usage of Profanity:**

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//Interesting video though it seems more about sex and violence than profanity.//


 * FCC Regulations regarding profanity:**

The FCC has defined broadcast indecency as “language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities.” Indecent programming contains patently offensive sexual or excretory material that does not rise to the level of obscenity. The courts have held that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely. It may, however, be restricted in order to avoid its broadcast during times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. Consistent with a federal indecency statute and federal court decisions interpreting the statute, the Commission adopted a rule that broadcasts -- both on television and radio -- that fit within the indecency definition and that are aired between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. are prohibited and subject to indecency enforcement action.
 * Indecent Broadcast Restrictions**

__Work Cite d __ Hughes, Geoffrew. (2006) __An Encyclopedia of Swearing.__ New York, NY: M.E. Sharpe.

FCC.gov/profanityregulationsfortelevision 2009

"profanity." __Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary__. 2010. Merriam-Webster Online. 16 April 2010 

"profane." __Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary__. 2010. Merriam-Webster Online. 16 April 2010 []

Thompson, Thomas. __Life Maganizine__.1966. 16 April 2010 []

Vicini, Thomas. __Reuters News__ 2009. 17 April 2010