Was Kate McCanns "f.....g tosser" comment directed at Ricardo Paiva offensive?

[jassi]

I'm always surprised when I see it in printed form in a book or newspaper, even though it is commonplace in speech.

[Lace]

And of course no "McCann sceptic would ever use anything stronger than "bother" 

Exactly!!

I've been called disgusting names in the past three years or so just for voicing my opinion.   God knows what I would have been called if I'd accused someone of being involved in a crime such as hiding a child's body.

[Alice Purjorick]

Swearing is a language in its own right. I cringe when I hear people swear incorrectly. It shows a lack of knowledge of the principle in an attempt to appear cool. imho of course.
Consider the word "f**k". It is one of the most versatile words in our language having properties like no other.
It can be an adjective or adverb
It can be a verb avalent, transitive, intransitive and ditransitive.
It can be a noun
It can be both prefix and suffix.
A cool versatile word when used correctly.
The question is when KM said f*****g t****r was f*****g used as an adjective?

[DCI]

Swearing is a language in its own right. I cringe when I hear people swear incorrectly. It shows a lack of knowledge of the principle in an attempt to appear cool. imho of course.
Consider the word "f**k". It is one of the most versatile words in our language having properties like no other.
It can be an adjective or adverb
It can be a verb avalent, transitive, intransitive and ditransitive.
It can be a noun
It can be both prefix and suffix.
A cool versatile word when used correctly.
The question is when KM said f*****g t****r was f*****g used as an adjective?

Funny, I have just read an article about a father shouting F*****g T****r in court, at a chap that killed his son.

[Alfred R Jones]

Funny, I have just read an article about a father shouting F*****g T****r in court, at a chap that killed his son.

What a disgrace - the man should be locked up for contempt, I'm sure G-Unit would wholeheartedly agree.

[Montclair]

Funny, I have just read an article about a father shouting F*****g T****r in court, at a chap that killed his son.

Which article and in which newspaper?

[DCI]

Which article and in which newspaper?

Just for you Montclaire

http://news.sky.com/story/1457597/driver-avoids-jail-for-crushing-three-year-old

[sadie]

Consider for a moment, would one consider the comment ,"f.....g tosser    f.....g tosser" published in Kate McCann's book and directed at a named Portuguese police officer Ricardo Paiva to be grossly abusive or offensive?

Why then is a similar comment directed at Kate McCann any different?   

Or is it a case of, one Law for them and another for the rest of us?   

31

Just noticed this thread ... and felt the need to respond


Whilst I am too "lily livered" to use such an expression myself,  I loved it

Well done Kate:
 
[ moderated ]

[Mr Gray]

The words were used in court this week by a bereaved father...no one has criticised him.

If Kate had used them loudly directed at a supermarket cashier who got her change wrong that would be totally different to her mumbling them under her breath in the situation she was in....that's called context.

If you cannot see that you are just showing how severely biased your opinions are.

[G-Unit]

the fact that you say it is never acceptable to use bad language shows what an outlier you are as regards the general population and therefore your views and opinions are extreme...are you some sort of religious fundamentalist?

How sad that people find incomprehensible a point of view that was generally accepted in my youth. Was it that long ago?  I know the world has moved on (I live in it) and the widespread use of bad language is, in my opinion, not a good thing. It shows how much the world has moved on when someone who finds swearing offensive is considered an extremist.

[Mr Gray]

How sad that people find incomprehensible a point of view that was generally accepted in my youth. Was it that long ago?  I know the world has moved on (I live in it) and the widespread use of bad language is, in my opinion, not a good thing. It shows how much the world has moved on when someone who finds swearing offensive is considered an extremist.

You posted...using bad language is acceptable. My position is clear - never.......that's  what sets you apart...your use of the word never......most people accept that whilst bad language should not be used there are instances when the provocation is so great that it is understandable.

[faithlilly]

How sad that people find incomprehensible a point of view that was generally accepted in my youth. Was it that long ago?  I know the world has moved on (I live in it) and the widespread use of bad language is, in my opinion, not a good thing. It shows how much the world has moved on when someone who finds swearing offensive is considered an extremist.

It would seem the only occasion bad language is offensive is if it is, wrongly as it turned out, directed at the McCanns. I remember the supporters beong apoplectic when they thought Amaral had said 'f**k the McCanns' after a libel hearing. Of course he hadn't but I seem to remember that context wasn't considered in that instance. If my livelihood had been wrenched from me, my refutation pulled through the mud and my assists frozen I think I could be forgiven for directing the odd expletive in the direction of my detractors.

[pathfinder73]

That is probably what Kate's mother called them all when she wanted to shake every one of them.  The first thing she said was "Where were you?"

[Matthew Wyse]

It would seem the only occasion bad language is offensive is if it is, wrongly as it turned out, directed at the McCanns. I remember the supporters beong apoplectic when they thought Amaral had said 'f**k the McCanns' after a libel hearing. Of course he hadn't but I seem to remember that context wasn't considered in that instance. If my livelihood had been wrenched from me, my refutation pulled through the mud and my assists frozen I think I could be forgiven for directing the odd expletive in the direction of my detractors.

I wouldnt blame him for cursing them

[Mr Gray]

It would seem the only occasion bad language is offensive is if it is, wrongly as it turned out, directed at the McCanns. I remember the supporters beong apoplectic when they thought Amaral had said 'f**k the McCanns' after a libel hearing. Of course he hadn't but I seem to remember that context wasn't considered in that instance. If my livelihood had been wrenched from me, my refutation pulled through the mud and my assists frozen I think I could be forgiven for directing the odd expletive in the direction of my detractors.

so you agree it's all about context