I suspect "evolving community standards" determines if the use of a word is offensive or not in the criminal code. The intended threat is an interesting measure.

IMO, this word (unfortunately) has lost it's bite" due to overuse. Is there a good back up word, in case it just gets too "candy assed" to use by tough folks in "the holler"?

Even grandmothers are using it in cooking nowadays. ("Just add some "fucking flour" to the mix"").