Cursing on ESPN.com

Do you differentiate between literature & non-fiction?

In literature, you're speaking often speaking in character. And, while the author of non-fiction has his own voice, is it as necessary to curse?

I'm not necessarily offended. (I personally curse way too often.) But, I guess I do find it a bit lazy in non-fiction/reporting.

 

Michael J. Fox says, "Holy ... geez!"

 

Personally, I find the way you just used parentheses far more lazy.

Why is the use of a curse word any more lazy than some other adjective or verb?

 

Exactly. Don't we all have certain words or writing gimmicks that require a bit of restraint? In my case, I tend to use "a bit" too often. And "tend to." Screw it.

 

Depends on the writer and the occasion. Dr. Thompson? Sure. Mr. Taibbi? Less so by virtue of overuse. But I understand that 'obscenity' is now a kind of currency in a certain mode of nonfiction, especially at a place like Rolling Stone, so see its purpose when judged against that readership.

Interesting to judge the necessity of 'obscenity' in humor - which is a subdivision of nonfiction. Where would Drew Magary be without it? is a very fair question.

 

I find the repeating of the obviously false cliche that profanity must be lazy much more offensive than gratuitous profanity.

 

Now, gratuitous nudity ... I think we're all in agreement on that.

 

(NSFW)

 

Fuck all y'all.

 

Gratuitous southern dialect and cursing?

Faulkner wept.

 

I want to save that just to use in random situations. I love it.