Inventing swear words

[Peter Graham]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

Actually, I heard someone explain that the legs were covered in this way to protect them from scrapes and other minor damage.

Oh, and it was a fashion (i.e. something beyond rational explanation) among the middle classes. (This may have allowed the owner to hide cheaply-made furniture from visitors.)

Yup. The whole notion that table legs were covered because the Victorians believed that the sight of a well-turned piece of walnut might lead the casual viewer into a forbidden world of godless and unbridled sexual depravity is nonsense.

Teresa is right, though - anyone reading the edifying works of Lord Rochester or even Chaucer in his fruitier moments would have little time for any notion that swearing or coarse language is always unseemly for the Great and the Good.

You could try the use of elision as a means of toning down what might otherwise be a bit strong. Shakespeare was good at this - "Zounds" and "Sblood" ("Gods Wounds" and "Gods Blood" respectively) sound quite sweet and twee, but at the time were pretty racey, being as they were swear-words relating to the crucifixion. I suspect that there are plenty of people even nowadays who would take a similar view.

Regards,

Peter

[Ursa major]

Originally Posted by Peter Graham

Yup. The whole notion that table legs were covered because the Victorians believed that the sight of a well-turned piece of walnut might lead the casual viewer into a forbidden world of godless and unbridled sexual depravity is nonsense.

Strewth!

* Still imagines that the Victorians invented the walnut whip. *

Blimey!

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Peter Graham

"Zounds" and "Sblood" ("Gods Wounds" and "Gods Blood" respectively) sound quite sweet and twee, but at the time were pretty racey, being as they were swear-words relating to the crucifixion.

Not to mention my personal favorite, "Gadzooks."

[Lacedaemonian]

I am quite imaginative when it comes to inventing profanity. I am not sure why some of you lot feel that curse words should not be used. If you are writing for children or are a religious nut job then I can understand. Most of the best fantasy writers around use a variety of curse words. Obviously it is best to use them sparingly.

[JDP]

I had a smattering of profanity by various characters, dependant on social standing and general coarseness. My test readers were unanimous in agreeing that the 'modern' profanity just didn't work in the world of the novel. I've changed them to made-up words, but I'm yet to finish the latest editting iteration so I don't know if it's worked or not!