Using Curse Words at Work

Do You Use Curse Words at Work?

January 18, 2008

Diane Keaton's F-Bomb on Tuesday got me thinking about how often we control our language. Whether or not certain words are acceptable partially depends on the work environment — if you're a second grade teacher you're obviously not dropping descriptive words like Diane. Do you use questionable language at the office?

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37 Comments

Advah 5 years

The 'worst' I use is "bloody". As a non-native speaker, I freaked out when I started my first job because I realised I didn't really make the difference between talking with my friends and talking to my boss. Since then I got used to keeping my English maybe not personal but neutral, so that I don't catch myself using a totally inappropriate word in a meeting...

MandyJoBo 5 years

I was raised to never curse, so most of my sailor-esque cursing is done only with close friends. ;)

carmabe 5 years

I swear way too much. My office mates even wanted to start a swear jar, but ditched the idea thinking I would lose much money. I'm trying to filter what I say because it can sometimes turn people off, but the people I work with regularly are just used to my sailor ways and think it is more humorous than inappropriate.

sassy sugar 5 years

only when it is necessary and not in front of customers

kissmesteph 5 years

We all do in my office. Not on a regular basis, but definitely to add to a point. My office is all pretty young (everyone is under 40, including our manager), so I don't think we worry about offending anyone we work with. Obviously we don't use them when speaking with customers - although my one supervisor has on a few occasions, but only when the person is a real jackass and deserved it.

angelfromlsu 5 years

I don't use curse words. I'm a good southern girl

mandy_frost 5 years

Not only do I sound awkward when I swear (Lots of people liken it to hearing their conservative grandmother swear.), but that is the most unprofessional thing I can even think of.

kimberlyh 5 years

It depends who you're having the conversation with. I'm a lot closer to the team I work with and every now we curse but it only happens to enhance how frustrated or annoyed we are. I never swear with the other people in the office, especially not in front of higher authority! That could lead to other people bitching about you or worse.

amber_castaldo 5 years

I work at home so sometimes I do.

nrmunch55 5 years

I would NEVER swear at work. How unprofessional.

ccsugar 5 years

Sometimes, I try not to though since some of my co-workers are religious. Don't want to offend them! :D Sometimes though if someone really pisses me off I'll say @sshole out loud. Just makes me feel better ;)

misslarue 5 years

I have a seriously foul mouth, but I am able to control it in professional settings-at home-that's another story. I swear twice as much as my husband..

Lorrie30 5 years

I am a stay at home mom. I do not curse around my kids or any kids. Not a good idea. When i worked i did not use bad language at all.

JaimeLeah526 5 years

I do with my coworkers when no bosses are around. I don't think my boss would care but I think it's disrespectful.

bigestivediscuit 5 years

Only under my breath when something really tragic happens to me (um, like closing four windows simultaneously that I really needed at that moment, or printing 42 pages of the wrong document, etc ... not that that happens to me a lot :D ) but the woman I work across swears A LOT and it's an open plan office.

aimeeb 5 years

My office, good lord, some people use f bombs as verbs, adverbs, nouns and so on...

piraterie 5 years

Sometimes, although I'm very aware of who I'm speaking to and don't swear when I'm talking to the more conservative people in the office.

GeriAnne1932 5 years

I rarely swear, it's just my nature. But it was always enjoyable to hear my boss yell from her office a good ol' F&&k out of the blue when she's checking her email.

Lovely_1 5 years

I say shit a lot when I am working on a report or editing and I mess something up. But I will rarely use the F Bomb!

LaFemmeFatal 5 years

It's why I got into this industry!

millarci 5 years

I only curse at work when I'm frustrated. But I try to just mumble it to myself so no one can hear me.

itsamanda9 5 years

I interned in London over the past summer and it is very common and acceptable there. It made me uncomfortable at first, but since returning home, I now find myself doing it more at work.