@thegerg "I ask because, again, these words can very often mean the same thing and be used interchangeably."

I think that comes back to what TC asked, "Do you feel the f word could ever be used in a way that isn't infused with negativity against a homosexuals?"

The negativity comes from context and intent, but the final interpretation of the words use is most often down to the people hearing it. My own personal view is, because of this, some words may never again be able to make their way back into regular non-offensive language - at least without a very long period of time passing.

Which is sad, because as a poor NZ student who smoked I was often a big fan of bumming fags, and now it just doesn't feel respectful.

I actually like the forums a little more than I used to, but the main site is a big pain in the ass. I'll get used to it, I imagine, around the same time as they schedule the next big series of changes :)

Hm, good question, I guess its contextual and based on my intent.

@thegerg This is going to be tricky just using letters :)

I am an F'er because I have F'ed. I can use dick, because I have one, I can't use C because I don't have one of them (at least not on me). I can't use the other F (the cigarette one) because I'm not homosexual so couldn't understand it, and for the same reason I can't use the N word.

Now I am reminded of that Southpark episode where everyone except Mr Garrison gets bleeped for using the F word. And I realise I sound like a dick.

When listing comments by "Newest" or "Oldest" replies do not appear in a logical order to the comment they are replying to, this would make sense if they were instead being ordered by time posted, but that doesn't appear true either.

However, now as I look to try and find an example to post a jpg, I see that IE is actually not buggering it up. Maybe its just my friefox.

I feel like a content thief by using AdBlock, but if its a choice of that or browsing the site with it looking like a team of Junior Marketing Executives threw up all over it, I will quite happily stick with option A.

I think it depends how you use it, and who you use it with. As a word, it's similar to the "N" word - context makes a big difference.

The problem here is, you can only really take offence at something, you can't give it. Downside is, so many people actually make the effort to be offensive, so words just have to be written off.

My usual rule of thumb is, "If I ain't one, I don't use it". This applies nicely for the F word, the N word, the C word, and the M word (moist). - however, it cleverly leaves me open to use F'er, dick, and Old Bastard. I do look sideways at people that use MF'er, until I realise they may not use my rule.

If you have a significant personal fortune to invest in feeling like your old self, I would recommend the following:

http://www.scientology.org/churches/locator.html

You may be surprised to know that you're not operating in a Clear State, which you can identify by a process of Dianetic Auditing.

Although, if you don't have much money... you could always speak to a couple of close friends and ask whether they can help out.

If you want to swallow up significant portions of your reading time, the Star Wars New Jedi Order is not a bad investment, I think its about 19 books worth. Yeah, its Star Wars, and some of the books are worse than others, but overall it's an interesting tale.