"Some people confuse cursing, swearing, vulgar language, and blasphemy, which are all different concepts. So far in this thread the posts have (correctly) been all about cursing."

So where does cussing come into this?

Personally, I love "colorful" language. Expletives. Language to make a sailor blush. Talkin' like a truck driver. I actually had a truck driver once comment to me that even HE find my vulgar language shockingly entertaining.

Especially when used creatively, as the Irish use their "vulgar" language, I love to cuss and use foul mouthed language.

Also, blasphemy is pretty much in the eye of the believer, so taking any lord's name in vain has never been much of an issue to secular ole me. I don't think it is a generational thing though, as many presume. It has always been more of a class issue (ie nice, middle class/aspiring to assimilate to middle class folks use "civilized" language). My Scandinavian grandpa, who eventually became a wealthy man, detested what he thought was the phoniness in the "cultured" classes over language used.

Also, not all cultures frown upon women cussing and swearing, although that is usually the province and privlege of being an elder.