Ah, Panzuriel, thank you for the idea for this essay. I forgot that the words were lurking somewhere in my brain...

The "F" Word

Someone made an interesting point the other day, regarding a piece that I am working on. While describing a love-scene, I used the f-word, which had the effect of detracting from the atmosphere I had created. Perhaps the word was inconguous due to the fact that it didn't get a lot of usage until this century and I was describing a more historical scene. Perhaps the word was inconguous because the reader senses that it is a word that I personally do not use often (although, I hear it alot).

The first point I will make is this: describing a love scene in tasteful manner takes a great deal of thought. An author ought not just jump in and describe what is superficially true. (Like a reporter) Not only does one consider the actual physical sensations, the moments leading up to the main event, the reactions of each character, the setting, the relevance to the plot, but also, one considers the sensibilities of his/her audience. It is the same for any scene, really. But in particular, while taking up the threads that make up the picture one wishes to leave in anothers' head, a great deal of thought goes into the decision to add or subtract certain words, such as the f-word.

The second point is this: The f-word has, in modern usage, developed a connotation for shallow uncaring vindictiveness, bordering on violence such as the vitriolic "f-you" that young men and women love to say to anyone they even slightly dislike, or want to dislike, or even hate, or want to fight with. Another modern usage is to place the f-word as an adjective in every sentence that is spoken. With this prolific use of the f-word, one becomes innured to it, and it eventually looses its meaning, and is used only for its shock value, or to express the user's dissatisfation with life.

Considering the first two points, there is a heavy reason against using the f-word within a love scene. However, the following two points may sway the pervasive opinion that the f-word should not be used to describe something intimate.

The first point is this: While "making love", there are some who consider the f-word a major turn on, since it reminds each partner to what is going on, and to be focused on what is happening. This does not necessarily de-mean sexual intercourse, but rather, it could mean that one partner knows that this is what his/her partner wants to hear in order to enhance that person's experience.

The second point is this: Upon arriving in the University Library, a student noticed a tome on a pedastal. Curious as to the sort of book that needed its own stand, and thinking perhaps that it was a gigantic bible, the student boldly ventured up to it. It was massive. And it was a dictionary; but no ordinary dictionary. This dictionary held within each definition an archaic meaning for each and every word ever known in the English language. So what did the student look up? That student looked up the word: "fuck". And pretty much learned something that not too many people know or care to know: where did "fuck" come from? According to the archaic meaning, when criminals were put in stocks for crimes they had committed, their crimes were published over their heads for all to see. After a while, only the first letters of each word was put on the banner proclaiming their crime. "For Unlawful Carnal Knowlege" was the crime published for anyone caught fornicating. That's what "fuck" stands for. Its really isn't a bad word, and can be used appropriately in certain situations. For instance, when two unmarried consenting adults decide to "make love" they are literally "fuck"ing. It would be a lawful act if they were married (to each other, of course)

I would like to point out, as an aside, that a certain minister of my acquaintance once noted that only in the English language does one swear by using the act of sexual congress. Most other languages swear using the Lord's name in vain, which is a much more serious crime.

Please e-mail me with your opinion, because I am curious to know your opinion on this subject.

All my love, StoryJunkie