I've noticed it on "Suits" which is aired on USA channel. I was really surprised to hear it.

Since about a year ago: https://www.slashfilm.com/swearing-on-syfy-and-usa/

In fact, SyFy and USA, both networks owned by NBCUniversal (a subsidiary of Comcast), are now throwing caution to the wind and will be dropping f-bombs without censoring them on air, and they already started to let them fly earlier this year.

Previously, swearing on SyFy and USA stuck to the guidelines laid out by the Federal Communications Commission, but as a basic cable channel, their Standards and Practices division was not actually beholden to follow those rules strictly. Instead, they answer to their advertisers, who traditionally don’t like it when things get controversial on television programming, and that includes salty language, especially when it comes to network television like NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX. So they’ve kept things clean for the most part.

However, basic cable channels have started to push the envelope. The word “shi*t. has been thrown around a lot more on networks like FX, AMC, and Comedy Central. The latter was even the first to bring uncensored usage of “f*ck” to basic cable by creating their late night programming block called “The Secret Stash,” which began with the airing of the R-rated film adaptation South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. They don’t have that block anymore, but their late night programming still airs the uncensored versions of movies and stand-up specials.

To me, "censorship" is a dirtier word than anything on Carlin's "Seven Words....." list. That routine, from 1972, gives an indication of when the genie left the bottle. The only "censorship" that should ever apply is a viewer using an On/Off switch, or using feet to walk out of a theater if the language doesn't meet your expectations.

I think there still may be restrictions on the few broadcast stations in our still Puritanical country. But not otherwise, especially not for cable channels.

Everyone is free to have their own personal standards but like so many other things people try to do, they should be "personal" and not imposed on others.

I agree. I am glad we have loosened restrictions. Language, nudity, violence...we all have the right to choose what to watch, and what to avoid. And for the kids, each show has a rating and parents can control what kids have access to these days.

Try watching British TV shows - profanity (including the F word) and partial nudity are commonplace....as are some slightly more graphic sex scenes. But then that's pretty much real life :-)

I agree with Elmer - the only censorship involved should be your option to change channels or turn it off.

It's way overused on TV shows. I reserve it for when no other word conveys my feelings. TV characters use it like it's just any other part of speech.

The words you refer to ARE just like other words, aren't they? I think that's what I and others have been saying. I think there are public circumstances when some speaking styles belong and where others don't but that too is personal choice.

it's everywhere!

We watched Deadly Class on SyFy the other night and they used the F bomb twice. My girlfriend and I both sat bolt upright! Then played it back to be sure. We were very confused. My husband didn’t get what we were going on about lol.

Don’t get me wrong, I tend to use that word liberally (in certain company) but wondered when the rules changed.

Again, there are different rules for traditional broadcast stations than there are for cable stations.

You found it so offensive that you hit rewind to hear it a second time? Huh?

+1 to what sushipup said. I believe there are no rules for cable stations. It should be the same for broadcast stations too.

I didn’t find it offensive, but wasn’t sure I heard it correctly. Then DH (who is a bit hard of hearing) said that it wasn’t what was said, so I replayed it to be sure.

Found this,

https://www.mandatory.com/culture/1368167-uncensored-f-bombs-coming-tv

Well if I hear a word on TV that I use in real life, I am never offended.

I find the constant use of profanity a poor excuse for not being more articulate. I think it's too bad our standards of civilized conduct have deteriorated so terribly.

I always taught my children (and grandchildren!) that there are three vocabularies; the one one uses with ones boss and ones grandmother, the one one uses with most other people, and the one one uses with close friends. They are not all the same.

https://www.sciencealert.com/swearing-is-a-sign-of-more-intelligence-not-less-say-scientists

I agree with Elmer, but there is something to be said about punch value.

My husband never ever cusses. Years ago our son and his 10 year old pals were horsing around. Hub went in and said, "Hey fellas, knock it off." The boys kept it up.

Hub went back in and again told the boys to knock it off. They kept it up.

Third time Hub went in and said, " Knock off the crap!" Silence! Then one of the boys said softly, "Mr M said 'crap. '"

Thirty years later those boys are still friends. And they still talk about the day Mr M said "crap." It was very effective.

To me, overuse of an attention-getting word dilutes its impact. So what am I going to yell when I stub my toe and NEED the world to know it really really hurt, if I also use that word in casual circumstances? LOL

For those of you who can stand it, there's a very funny and informative 2005 documentary on the "F-word" titled by that word alone. Used to be on Netflix, but I don't see it anymore. A very interesting history of the word, origins, censorship and more.

I wouldn't watch a broadcast of any kind using that language, then again I don't go to R rated movies either. I made up my mind many years ago not to use that language. But of course that's my choice and I am good with it.

This might be worth a read :-) The Case for Cursing. At least it explains why cursing is considered taboo by many.

Personally, they are all just words to me and all have a place for usage - some much less than others - and they certainly don't offend me when overheard in conversation or on TV, etc.

The US in particular has a much more puritanical take on these topics than elsewhere.....but then I think a lot of us are way too judgmental for our own good :-))

"The US in particular has a much more puritanical take...... ".

Yes, on this topic and a few dozen others. I find it discouraging, a minority clinging, kicking and screaming to keep everyone else in the Dark Ages.

and hell here at the KT some people write "h - e - double hockey sticks", and I bet they're blushing as they type it.

I agree with your sentiment, justlinda, and I think what you said is right in many situations. But there is a practical consideration - many forum sites have automated screening software that puts posts containing certain targeted words into an invisible impound place until the comment is given a thumbs up or down by a human screener.

I think this site has that. How do I know? Let's just say sometimes when I've gotten a bit too animated with comments, only to find them not visible, I can go back, remove a possibly offending word, and it magically appears in the thread.

Well, Elmer, if you mean a polite and civilized world when you call it the "Dark Ages", then yes, I guess that is what I would prefer. I don't think it is really a minority. In some parts of the country, even saying "Oh my God" would be considered highly inappropriate. They say, "Oh my gosh".

My own DH rarely ever swore. He preferred using words such as "horse feathers" or "balderdash".

Yes, sheesh, the boys in my husband's dorm in the boarding school were stunned if he ever used a profanity. It was rare and very effective.

"Well, Elmer, if you mean a polite and civilized world when you call it the "Dark Ages", then yes,"

This thread has run its course for me but I didn't want to not respond to your comment.

People can be polite and civilized and have very different values and practices from one to another. And what some prefer can be very different from what you prefer. What you like and choose is right for you, others have the same rights. Toleration of differences among our fellow citizens has been waning, THAT'S something to be concerned with.

Times and social conventions change, thank goodness. Keep an open mind. And stay warm!

If you don't know enough vocabulary not to say the F word or any other swear words, then keep your mouth shut. It is only good manors not to swear in public. Using free speech as an excuse is a cop out.

Another display of intolerance and attempting to impose one person's preferences on others. Decide what's right for you and you only, and let others do the same.

It just shows what a low life a person is if they think swearing if justified.

Someone who swears is a low life? Geez. I'd rather be around someone who swears than someone so judgemental.

Sorry, I was raised with manors and how to act in public.

You need to get out more to see that the people you encounter aren't entirely just like you are or how you want to be.

With "manors"?

We, as a society have common values and many of these go into our laws. Public nakedness comes to mind. Our legal system is based on Judeo Christian ethics. We have never been a "just do you" society until very, very recently. Common values of conduct are what unites us.

I’ll never forget years ago when Emma Thompson was on a late night tv talk show promoting “Much Ado About Nothing” (one of my favorite plays). And she kept cursing and getting bleeped. She kept apologizing and saying that in real life her vocabulary resembled a pirate more than Shakespeare. I decided right then that she was my spirit animal.

I picked up my gift of swearing from my dad. He was a physicist so not lacking in intelligence. However, he was British so even when he swore my friends still thought it sounded fancy and impressive lol.

Manners, I dislike using my phone. It is aways changing words on me. I prefer my laptop, but I am at the library play room with my granddaughter and unbelievably no one is swearing. I guess I go to the wrong places and socialize with the wrong people.

Yes, sorry. I understand the phone problem, it happened to me yesterday. As to people's personal choices, you can have yours only if you allow others to have theirs.

"how to act in public" is very much a cultural thing. With a few exceptions - like the example of public nakedness - there are no rules as to how to act in public. What is considered common or accepted public behavior will vary widely depending on one's background, education, to some degree religious upbringing and exposure to other cultures or ethnicities. So it will always be a personal attitude, not something that is written down in black and white.

What may be not acceptable behavior or speech to you may well be perfectly acceptable and commonplace to someone else. That does not make you right and them wrong....or vice versa!! And to impose your opinions or viewpoints onto everone else is a form of intolerance and prejudice. If you choose not to swear, fine, but you cannot justifiably impose that restriction on anyone else.

btw, some of the most intelligent, highly educated, accomplished and contributing members of society I know can swear like troopers when so moved!! I would hardly consider them "low lifes"......

"at the library play room with my granddaughter and unbelievably no one is swearing"

Hardly a conclusive deduction :-)

But until quite recently, it WAS part of our culture to not use profanity and vulgar language - at least not in movies or on TV, and for many, not in public at all. I've lived in many parts of this country - literally from Maine to CA - and in most places, "damn" and "hell" was about as strong as it got. This is a pretty new phenomena.

"But until quite recently, it WAS part of our culture to not use profanity and vulgar language"

Yea? It changed when? Maybe 1967?

I have 3 older sisters and I recall them and friends using profanity and vulgar language when I was 12, in 1962.

Watch Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

I was always told not to use cuss words...it only shows your ignorance!...and thankful my family does not use them....maybe because they never grew up hearing them.

My great Aunt Amelia was a very well spoken woman as was her university professor, English literature teaching husband . I remember my dad, who was quite creative in the cursing department, saying that Aunt Amelia could make a sailor blush without ever uttering a single swear word and that when she was done with him, he'd be running home crying for his mommy.

functionthenlook, I would add "dignity" to that list as well.

I look at the things on the list as tools, not goals.

These should be the goals that everyone should strive toward...it would make this world a better place in which to live !

If not used (tools) by and for oneself and for others, nothing happens. It's a start, not the end.

I don't understand what that list has to do with swear words.

Agree. (Edited)

The hypocrisy runneth deep on this thread.

Mostly I agree with Anglo. For white, middle class, suburbia boring plain ol' kids of the 60's and 70's like me, the f word was like the n word -- you knew it, you might use it to impress other kids, but you sure didn't use it where adults would overhear. And adults didn't use those words where (they thought) kids could overhear them -- usually. Your experience may have been different, but maybe you didn't live in the same white-bread world I did.

Remember Tipper Gore? In 1985 (I looked it up to confirm my memory) she lead the music industry to label explicit language. The horses were well out of the barn by then.

Today, my personal world is more diverse, thank goodness. My own daughter uses the f* word (as well as the d* word) pretty casually. She picked that up from a college friend -- nice person, just uses a different set of words than I do. Things change.

Word choice was one way civil society showed respect to elders, and tender care to little kids. But it doesn't have to be the only way. Actions are good too.