comment: >
  
  I don’t think cursing is used for expression of emotion nearly as much as it is an expression of identity.   Cursing is used as a litmus test. You may throw out a low level (ass, damn) curse word early in a new relationship to see how the individual responds. If the person then also picks up cursing you may now know I can be a bit more genuine or a bit less censored in what I discuss.  I may know that I can say something controversial and still be accepted.  I’m thinking of handmaid’s tale (TV series) when a handmaiden would say something slightly non-pious to test if the other handmaiden could be trusted.
  I also think high levels of cursing help me identify what kind of lifestyle you may live. In the fire service and military, for example, cursing is used incredibly frequently. I think physically demanding or perhaps just demanding work cultures can lead to high levels of cursing and the cursing much like the work is really a part of your identity.
  I agree cursing is vital to communication and society but not for means of emotional expression.
context: This is really not a debating point but I'm from the UK and everyone I know swears a lot.. Its not even something I ever think about. To me, most are just words, aside from slurs. So yeah I guess they are important here. My wife is american and I've noticed Americans either don't swear much or swear a lot. Not that many in the middle >
  
  That is entirely true, it's completely based on how you were raised and your experience in your young adult years. For me, swearing is second nature and best when combined with certain tones & accents to really add insult to injury. >
  
  If you check the frequency of profanity verses other words, you would not find them being used in 'special occasions'. They essentially used to add emphasis, or as filler. They aren't taboo anymore, unless you're using slurs, they aren't rare, and they don't convey much information. I can't see how they are important, delete them and nothing in language changes. >
  
  Sure, it's pretty fuckin' common to swear... but a yelled "FUCK!" has more impact than "GOSH DARNIT!", no? >
  
  isn't a louder "GOSH DARNIT" with hard articulation worse than a quieter "fuck"  ? there's more context to factor here >
  
  Obviously I meant all other things being equal.
  Sure, a blood curdling "GOSH DARNIT!" from a mormon who just got into an accident and noticed his intestines are falling out has more impact that a quiet "fuck" from someone who just stubbed their toe, but this is obvious. >
  
  Blood curdling "GOSH DARNIT" from Mormon vs blood curdling "FUCK" from non-Mormon: 
  which is worse and why?