MS> I remember a "Simpsons" episode. Flanders said in the
english version
MS> something like "I don't drink, I don't lie, I don't
swear!". In the german
MS> it was translated with ".... I schw”re nicht!" which is in
fact correct,
MS> but not with the context, because "schw”ren" is the
"swear" as in "I swear
MS> that I will do you no harm".

Well, in English, they are homonyms because they share the same etymology (I
swear to do you no harm" was short for "I swear TO GOD to do you
no harm) and
when one then did harm (as people who feel the need to accentuate their
promises with claims of association with Deity's honour and reliability. . .

Over time, those with strong respect for Deity(by any name) attributed the
sense of "blasphemous vulgarity" to any improper usage of
references to Deity.

Cursing as a term for "swearing" derives similarly, in that people invoked
Deity's name to call down harm upon others. . .

I avoid both those terms, because, out of respect for Deity and for those who
have beliefs concerning proper use of Deity's Name(s) I just don't use them as
curse words or swear words -- I refer to "vulgarities" (ie. froward talk
involving,often, toileting functions, 'private' body parts, and sexual acts --
I don't even use these too often (trying to quit altogether, but it's
difficult, when you're so used to freely conversing in the argot of the street
and/or of the working class!)

Because I care,
|<+]::-{)}  (Cyberpope(the Bishop of ROM!))

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