The "F" Word and other offensive words

[Rarity]

Not fuck, but the one that is a bad word for homosexual. And of course, derogatory terms relating to race/gender/etc.

What's the consensus of using such words in stories in a character's thoughts/dialogue? Personally I think it drives points home about a character's personality since dialogue is everything. But I know how selectively sensitive people are here, so I figured I'd ask before I get strands of hate-posts or whatever.

[cohzaku]

I say go for it, in any context. Fear of a word only gives it power.

[flamedelft]

If it's not overdone, and it's in character, it should be mostly fine.
It might be nice to maybe put some warning before, if you're worried.

[Ogun]

Yes, use in wisely, but use it it you feel it's warranted. after all, words have power.

[Rarity]

Well it's nice to see most people agree with what I feel about it.

For one of my characters, that word is almost necessary to get the point across without having to constantly state why he feels about something after it happens. The reader puts two and two together - bam.

[Mdlftr]

Originally Posted by Rarity

Not fuck, but the one that is a bad word for homosexual. And of course, derogatory terms relating to race/gender/etc.

What's the consensus of using such words in stories in a character's thoughts/dialogue? Personally I think it drives points home about a character's personality since dialogue is everything. But I know how selectively sensitive people are here, so I figured I'd ask before I get strands of hate-posts or whatever.

I think that these types of words CAN serve a literary purpose. They reveal what a character is like. The novel "Studs Lonigan" by James T. Ferrell, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studs_Lonigan uses racial and ethnic slurs that I never heard or read before, to convey a sense of time and place - the south side of Chicago, during the depths of the depression. Depressing story, but well written.

Having said that, some words are so fraught with baggage that it is almost impossible for a character to use them without stirring up all kinds of reaction in the reader: "Nazi" "weakling" "flamer" "fascist" are examples of words that stir strong emotions. Whether having a character use them advances or impedes a story is for the author to decide.

[Shahrazad2]

It's true that being true to the character's voice using whatever language you think fitting for them is the best way to tell the story. On the other hand, people who use the word faggot are generally not very sexy to me, and you run the risk of turning people off because of the language. Also, it's sorta stereotyping. Just because a guy is big and muscular and spends his time working out, doesn't make him a bigot or sheltered, and that word is generally unacceptable in most company today. It's also somewhat dating... sorta like leather jackets... they look great in Grease or on the Fonz or James Dean... but they're not really what today's attractive guys wear to look cool and edgy. Language has shifted, and that's as true among the bodybuilding set as it is anywhere else. Besides, instead of using the "other f-word" you could instead have the character describe actions or images indicative of homosexuality as a dismissive. It'd come out as more vivid and less cliche.

[Yachirobi]

It all depends on how the words are used. 'fag' and 'faggot' are turn-off words for me. If someone uses them in an attempt to titillate me, they've lost my interest. However, all ugly words are fine when they're a natural part of the character's vernacular, but those words speak to that character's nature. If someone is a homophobe, I'm going to want bad things to happen to that person. And I don't even mean sexy-bad things. I want genuine punishment. A good sock in the jaw at least.

[Rarity]

Originally Posted by Shahrazad2

It's true that being true to the character's voice using whatever language you think fitting for them is the best way to tell the story. On the other hand, people who use the word faggot are generally not very sexy to me, and you run the risk of turning people off because of the language. Also, it's sorta stereotyping. Just because a guy is big and muscular and spends his time working out, doesn't make him a bigot or sheltered, and that word is generally unacceptable in most company today.

The character himself is someone who is very abrasive. He uses the word playfully or angrily, and he has a very dirty mouth in general. He's like a 10 year old bully that never really grew up. You know, the ones who use "gay" as an insult because they think it's toats insulting and edgy.

[an0n12]

Better not head to the UK and bum a smoke then Yachirobi.

[raven79]

'Faggot' is meant to be offensive and gays that i know of do not use that word. As for 'fag', it is used a lot and isn't that offensive.

Same type of usage with the 'n' word among blacks. 'Nigger' is offensive and 'nigga' is not. For the life of me I have no idea why these slight changes in words can be so offensive.

[Rarity]

IMO it doesn't change much. Only stupid people go around using the N-word. Or racists. They're just kidding themselves if they think it changes the word's meaning.

However I do know of two (technically three because one of them + his boyfriend) gay people who use the term "fag" in a "ha-ha just kidding" kind of way. One of them even uses poetic lines such as "fucking faggot bitch cocksucking mother fucker" whenever he hurts himself by accident/stubs his toe/etc. Also, "gay-wad" and "homosaurus" aaaannnndddd "butt pirate." Though my favorite made-up word is "homosensual" in a way that means "this feels/looks/seems super homotastic." Which is also another word they use. Homostastic.

[flamedelft]

Well, about using the slur by the 'targeted audience', there's a line of thought that the minorities are reclaiming the word, therefore only they can use the word without being hurtful/offensive.