In High School I had an English teacher who had a very interesting policy on curse words in our papers.
She said, "Curse words have a lot of power over people's emotions, and you can use them two ways. If you use them a lot to shock people, they'll get tired of them, and they will lose their power, and people will begin to wonder if you know any other words at all. But if you save them up for the situations that really matter, then let them loose when they will have the most desired impact, then its OK. Basically, curse words are OK in my papers, as long as you use them sparingly, and save them for situations where they really matter. If you just sprinkle them in, you'll lose points."
So thats how I treat them. I don't curse often, but when I do, you better believe I mean it. The other day, after working for 11 hours on my back trying to get my starter out, trying every method known to man, putting the socket in for one last ditch effort, pulling on that breaker bar with all my might, and then feeling the sickening slliiiiip as it stripped the bolt head, I feel like I
earned my F word. Thats the only time I used it that day, and I feel justified in its use.
Like all things powerful, the key is moderation.
peace,
sam