I realize that you pay nothing and gain so little from the 'A Word A Day' mailing list. I can only imagine how deeply it pains you to have such a horrid thing as definitions of words emailed to you after you have subscribed for said service. You poor poor dear.
From: Lori Drafahl (ldrafahlATflynnwright.com)
Subject: This week's theme - my first disappointment. I think you're assuming a lot about the Word.A.Day audience: I can't even pretend to agree that using verbal insults instead of using physical "manifestations" of anger is any kind of justification for swearing. I'm deeply disappointed in the choice to present words with this affiliation and with the purpose that you imply. You may dismiss me as a prude, but actually I'm more of a "positivist", which at times requires my attitudes to be prudish in order to treat other people with respect. Although I'm sure you're attempting to treat this subject with humor and lightness, "uncouth" is exactly right when it comes to swearing, and I don't consider this week's theme to be enlightening in any way. For that reason, I'll be removing myself from the mailing list. I hope that you'll consider my viewpoint, even if you may disagree.
Is not a word, regardless of its definition, use, or context still only a word? Whether the word is 'fuck', 'seditous', 'fustilug', or 'butterfly' it is a word and it has a definition. In the context of a list of words and their etymolgy I think it shallow to exclude any word that may be negative or otherwise unseemly. I would argue that those words are often the most interesting in their orgins and usage.
spanking good times: