You may have noticed the recent absence of the term fuck on this circus. Fuck has left the building. I started this blog using f*ck, then fu*k. I geeked out, and switched to frak. Fuck made its official entrance in March… it was exhilarating. I celebrated by using it everywhere I could: tags, titles, content, captions… Fuck ruled.
Most of my readers know that I am French Canadian – I was born and raised in a French-speaking family, I went to French school, and I graduated with a B.A. in French Literature. On the other hand, I grew up in an English neighbourhood, my friends were English speaking, and I mostly dated English Canadians. I’m your typical Montrealer, culturally schizophrenic. As much as I struggle to make sense of the English prose, I am more comfortable writing in my second language. It’s the strangest thing.
Fuck comes very handy when you lack vocabulary. Lynne from Free Penny Press will write: “This is our human assignment”, while Le Clown will eloquently say: “Fuck it”. Fuck is my go-to word when I lack the proper qualifier. Fuck is also my go-to word when my temper tips overboard, in whatever language I might be losing my marbles. About a month ago, I announced that I was going to blog under two monikers: Le Clown and L’Éric. Fuck was going to become a problem if I wanted to define two distinct voices. Le Clown splurges in profanities while L’Éric might flirt with the idea of cursing. What the fuck was I going to do with my go-to word? The answer was simple: as a writer, I was going to refer to an online translator when I couldn’t come up with an English equivalent. If the English equivalent had already been used in my post, I was going to refer to the online thesaurus.
What I will not do (fuck will not completely fade away… a well-inserted fuck can pack a bigger punch than its poetic comrades) is use a censored version of the term. There will be no feck, no f*ck, no ****. Fuck has its Webster entry, and on A Clown on Fire, Fuck will share the spotlight with other magnificent, poetic descriptives. Modus omnibus in rebus.
What is your take on fuck?
Check out this link
It explains the versatility of the word fuck
Posted by Storkhunter | September 26, 2012, 19:42Stork Hunter,
This is a great one…. Frank shared this one with us earlier on today. It can never be viewed enough.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 26, 2012, 23:12I guess I’m with Brigitte, Audra, Emily and Carrie and who ever else has a slight aversion to that word or at least an over use of that word. When people over use it they start to take on the dimensions of a Scorsese character. When used in excess it diminishes and waters down the whole conversation. It doesn’t elevate or challenge. It’s a release word – it feels good to the person saying it. Maybe they feel tougher/stronger when they use it? It’s like a turbo engine, it gives extra oomph to whatever the thought is. But ultimately don’t we want to come up with something brilliant without relying on that word?
I especially hate the word when it’s used in the actual context of what it means. Ugh! So vulgar. Haha!
That said, I could be turned on by the right person using that word, at exactly the right time and in the perfect context. Ha-cha-cha.
Posted by A gripping life | September 26, 2012, 20:27Grippy,
I haven’t seen that slight aversion to the word fuck in what Carrie, Brigitte, Audra and Emily said. I did see a desire to be cautious in using it though, which is in correlation with the post, to various degrees. When used at the same frequency of “the” for example, it becomes trivialized, I agree. As opposed to a well placed fuck. I think it has its place in the language, and I for one, wouldn’t want to see it disappear. George Carlin did so many brilliant skits using “fuck”, just to name one…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 07:10Maybe “slight aversion” is wrong. If someone doesn’t use it, though, you can be sure their ears prick up when they hear it. I look at Curmudgeon’s writing and I think he’s like Mark Twain- so brilliant in his clever use of words. I much prefer that. It seems so civilized. I’m not judging people who use it, I don’care. C’est la vie. it’s just my personal preference. I knew somebody else that used it a lot and as he got older the vocab changed. You’re a young, passionate guy, Eric. I think you wear it well. (Rod Stewart)
Posted by A gripping life | September 27, 2012, 07:44Grippy,
C-a-L is a great blogger, with or without the use of fuck, as Madame Weebles is a great blogger, with or without the word fuck in her blog. You are absolutely right when you say that it is a matter of personal choice, and comfort. But I do not think using fuck or not makes you a great writer, or artist… My poor Charles Bukowski would be forgotten…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 08:14My take? I like to, thanks for asking.
Posted by Kana Tyler | September 26, 2012, 21:12Kana,
Brat.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 07:04I like to reserve it for special occasion. That way it has a bigger impact when I use it. Like boom, don’t mess with her she just said fuck.
Posted by nevercontrary | September 26, 2012, 21:18NeverContrary,
I usually use Paul Ryan to shock my audience, like boom, don’t fuck with him he just said Paul Ryan.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 07:03Touche
Posted by nevercontrary | September 27, 2012, 20:53As a teacher, I cannot use it on the Interwebs… and this nearly kills me. I think I’ve gotten around this once, by placing it in quotation marks. Ha!
I’m a language arts teacher, to be specific, and I believe all words have their place. I’m a lover of language, especially language that can serve multiple purposes.
Posted by ardent and awkward in austin | September 26, 2012, 21:29A&A,
Your “job” seems wonderful! A language arts teacher, really. May I ask you, as I do follow your blog but have failed to get this info: do you blog anonymous? And if not, are you students aware of your blog?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 07:02I blog anonymously. I may have said my first name a few times, but no one in my life knows I have the blog. If I told my students I had a blog, or any social media for that matter (I have since deleted my Fbook), I could get fired. Yes, lovely job! Ha! I enjoy the part with the kiddos, and seeing them grow and learn, but all of the other “stuff” has sucked the life out of me… I just got home (It’s now 8:00 PM) and people think it’s a 9-3 job. I could go on… Ha, whoops, sorry, it leaked!!
Posted by ardent and awkward in austin | September 27, 2012, 21:00Growing up in my very strict household, the word “pregnant” was considered inappropriate. We had to say “with child” or “expecting” so you can imagine how the word fuck would go over. It’s funny because whether anyone says the word, most people certainly enjoy the act and when they are sufficiently angered, the word is bound to roam through their minds whether they admit it or not. I use it in my writing but warn my parents not to read that particular post or story – pathetic? yes.
Posted by sheilapierson | September 26, 2012, 21:42Shelia,
I think you bring up great points. We tend to choose when it’s ok to use “fuck”, and when it shouldn’t, and I am not just referring to using “fuck” in front of kids or Paul Ryan. But we’re like that in many cases, right? I mean, when it suits our purpose, we’ll be more forgiving about using “word” or “shit”, but we’ll be quick to play the offended card if we hear on a tv show, or in a Justin Bieber song… although a Justin Bieber song is a travesty in its own.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 06:59I think people underestimate the awesomeness of a well placed “fuck” in writing. It can be overdone, but when used correctly? Magic. I use it. I worry about offending people, but then I think people offended by it probably shouldn’t be reading me in the first place.
Posted by Ashley Austrew | September 26, 2012, 23:28Ashley,
They either underestimate the awesomeness of “fuck”, or they overestimate its vulgarity. This blog has been good about realizing that people will get offended not just by words being used in a post, but by the subject, and by topics. Fuck is yet another ornament to embellish your writings. Use it well!
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 06:53Fuck’s good, but Frak sounds way cooler! “Fraaaaacck yoo, yoo crack sneefing fracking barstard!” Aah…it’s like fuck but with style! You can get away with it, too. I think. I really don’t know. Never dared to use it on Facebook though – THEY would excommunicate me.
Posted by happinessisnotadisease | September 27, 2012, 06:53HINAD,
It’s good to see you again! Now should I gather by your appreciation of “frak” that you have watched one or two episodes of Battlestar Galactica?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 06:55I try to keep my blog posts pretty clean – but sometimes when I am writing a story I like to use the word fuck. It says so much.
A man hits his hand – he isn’t going to say “Oh dang.” He’s going to say “Motherfucking A that fucking hurt.”
By the way thanks for this nice fucking post. You let me have a chance to get my fucking frustrations out. Fucking A it is easy to say fuck. I need to stop now.
Keep up the good work LeClown.
Posted by atothewr | September 27, 2012, 10:52Atothewr,
Thanks man! It’s important to vent. And venting with a few cuss words usually works better.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 11:57In life, I swear far too much. In writing, almost never. My writing voice is somewhat prudish, I think.
Posted by calahan | September 27, 2012, 12:54Le Calahan,
You do not need to curse to pack a punch.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 14:16And yet I need to curse when packing a lunch. It makes no sense.
Posted by calahan | September 27, 2012, 14:19Wow am I fucking late with this. Oh, what the fuck….anyway…I use the term way too often and unfortunately way to often in the presence of those who should not be privy to hearing the word fuck in all it’s glory….I have never tho….ever….said it in front of my mother.
Posted by dockfam | September 27, 2012, 13:04Jenn,
Same here. I mean, in real life. I even have a shirt with “Fuck La Mode” printed on (a brand from Québec). Yup. You and I would have a good time together in real life.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 27, 2012, 14:17I thought your avoidance of the very bad word was due more to your natural Canadian politeness than anything else.
In all seriousness, I didn’t know you had a degree in French Literature. That’s pretty cool.
Posted by Smaktakula | September 27, 2012, 22:51Smaktakula,
The real reason is I wish I had a voice like yours, and knowing what fuck could sound like coming out of your mouth, there’s no point for any of us to ever use it again…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 28, 2012, 07:15I use it liberally, salting and peppering my blogs with it. I have even made up new forms of the word (fuck chunks) just to feel like I’ve expanded the fucking universe. A truly versatile word.
Posted by BrainRants | September 28, 2012, 08:20Brain Rants,
An eloquent use of the fuck vocable. Let’s take a walk together, I think we can be friends, and you’re ugly enough to make me look even prettier than I am.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 28, 2012, 08:22Maybe when I get home. I’ll wear my tee shirt that says, “Fuck you, you fucking fuck!” But I will not hold your hand. And you’ll have to come to Kansas.
Posted by BrainRants | September 28, 2012, 09:13I have always been a fan of the well-inserted fuck. Glad to see it’s not disappearing entirely, darling.
Posted by Eva Halloween | September 29, 2012, 16:43Eva,
What an astute comment. What would be the world without fuck?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 30, 2012, 09:57I like to save it for special occasions.
But I LOVE when other people do it.
Oh wait. You meant the word?
Posted by Go Jules Go | October 2, 2012, 10:51Jules,
Are you telling me that you only witness fuck on Palm Sunday?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | October 2, 2012, 13:28I have never had a problem with fuck, or any word for that matter, that does no real harm to another person. So I use fuck as I please, whether printed or spoken. I do like to toss in the old frak though, when I’m feeling nerdy. Oh Battlestar, how I love thee.
Posted by travellingmo | October 2, 2012, 13:42Mo,
Wasn’t it just the best series ever? With a few others of course… Heard that, Joan Holloway?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | October 2, 2012, 13:44I’m actually in the middle of it right now! It’s so fantastic. My sister has been telling me to watch it for years and I’m so glad that I finally got on it!
Posted by travellingmo | October 2, 2012, 13:56I have no problem with it in my every day speech. Its common, comfortable, and nothing else quite gets the point across, expect occasionally shit, damn, hell, and Jesus Christ. In writing I’ve only now begun to introduce it because my mom is my number one fan and she LOATHES cursing. I actually had a skype convo with her about before I cursed at all on my blog. She told me she’d still keep reading and wouldn’t judge a good post by its curse words. I took that as a green light, but I still try to keep it minimal out of respect to her. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t give less than a fuck about it. It’s a natural language to me and I don’t really care how prudes see it.
Posted by Scintillatebrightly | October 4, 2012, 10:43Oh the versatility of fuck! It’s fucking beautiful, you fuck.
Sorry, I curse like a dirty sailor, but not on my blog. There I use ducks, so it was just nice and refreshing to be able to curse on yours, thank you!
You should consider hosting a fuck forum where overwrought bloggers can get all their fucks out there without fucking up their own fucking unfuckworthy blogs!
Just a suggestion. Have a nice fucking day (man, this is catching).
Posted by ponderingspawned | December 7, 2012, 08:27Pondering Spawned,
It was love at the first fuck… On to your blog. You’ve made a new reader, just by writing a clever™ comment. Isn’t this wonderful..?
A fuck forum? You couldn’t have asked on a better day: http://clownonfire.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/el-guapo/
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | December 7, 2012, 08:32I love the word fuck, and use it often in my blog.
I have also pondered why the word is so taboo…
http://stuphblog.wordpress.com/2011/06/23/why-is-profanity-profane/
Posted by twindaddy | December 7, 2012, 09:29