You can't swear freely on broadcast TV due to FCC regulations prohibiting obscene, indecent, and profane content on public airwaves, a "family-friendly" mandate, and advertiser pressure to avoid alienating audiences, although cable and streaming services have looser rules but still often self-censor for broader appeal. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages broadcast licenses, requiring networks to adhere to decency standards, especially during daytime hours.
There's no single "#1" swear word because offensiveness varies by culture, context, and individual, but words like "fuck," "shit," and the N-word (a severe racial slur) consistently rank high in English-speaking cultures for their impact, with the N-word being the most taboo due to historical oppression, while words like "damn" or "hell" are considered milder, and "ass" offers versatility in slang.
The words, in the order Carlin listed them, are: "shit", "piss", "fuck", "cunt", "cocksucker", "motherfucker", and "tits". These words were considered highly inappropriate and unsuitable for broadcast on the public airwaves in the United States, whether radio or television.
Since the 1964 Television Act, a 9pm watershed has been instituted on British TV to prevent children seeing unsuitable content, including swearing.
We employ an AI-automated language filtering program that “reads” movies and television shows to look for profanity and other objectionable words to ensure a family-friendly viewing for all. AI language filtering may sound complicated, but our filters are designed to be easy to use.
What is 9875 code on Netflix? Netflix code 9875 is for true crime documentaries. To use it, type this into your browser's address bar: netflix.com/browse/genre/9875.
We may allow vulgar language when the primary purpose is educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic, and it isn't gratuitous. For example, the title of a song with a curse word or a song that contains large amounts of profanity.
TV Parental Guidelines
More serious swear words like "a*shole" and "b*tch" are allowed in the TV-14 rating. The F-bomb can be used in TV-14 programs, with moderate uses, moreover it is more limited than in the MPA's PG-13 rating.
The U.S. Supreme Court said in 1971 that clothing with offensive or profane speech is protected by the First Amendment. It overturned the conviction of Paul Robert Cohen, who wore a jacket with the words “(Expletive) the Draft” (the expletive was spelled out) into a California courthouse.
Trivia. Apparently, moron is not allowed to be said on radio. It can only be said on TV. However, "moron" is just a mild insult.
"Crap" is generally considered mild profanity or vulgar slang, not a true "bad word" like a stronger expletive, but it's inappropriate for formal or professional settings and depends heavily on context, audience, and intent; it can express frustration (e.g., "This crap isn't working") but is best avoided around bosses, teachers, or elders, while being fine with friends.
By definition, swear words are offensive. If a word, over time, ceases to be offensive, then it falls out of use as a swear word. Offence alone is not enough, though, for we can offend with language without swearing. The N-word, for example, is what is called a slur: it is a derogatory term about an entire group.
Damn is nowadays a mildly profane word for some people in English, although God damn (or Goddamn) may be considered blasphemous by the religiously devout, who regard it as a violation of the commandment against taking God's name in vain.
Yes, "piss" (P*ss) is generally considered a vulgar or impolite word, though its offensiveness depends heavily on context, audience, and region; it's slang for urination or, more commonly in the US, being angry ("pissed off"), but in the UK, "pissed" can mean drunk, making it a word to use carefully in formal settings or with strangers, similar to other crude slang but less severe than major obscenities.
Christians should avoid profanity. The Bible emphasizes the power and sacredness of speech. It calls Christ-followers to use words that build up rather than tear down. Traditionally, new believers in every culture have felt convicted about swearing and have adjusted their language after coming to faith.
The F-bomb is officially the UK's favourite swear word, as 1 in 4 adults say it's one of their most-favoured profanities (25%).
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
It is almost always acceptable to go sans shirt. Conversely, on crowded city streets, keeping your shirt on is the way to go, at the very least because most people would prefer not to have to leap out of the way to avoid your sweaty torso.
If you are found guilty of Offensive Language, you are likely to receive a fine. The maximum penalty is 6 penalty units ($660) and/or 3 months imprisonment.
It's no surprise that “ass” has accrued so many meanings. The word sits in the center of the potent slang venn diagram — it's related to sex, it's considered a curse word, and it's metaphorically evocative. “Ass” is not so much exceptional as it is representative of the slang ethos.
It certainly was back in 1965, when theatre critic Kenneth Tynan became a pioneer of profanity when he uttered the word 'f–k' live on the BBC. It's thought to be the first time anyone had said the word on English-language television.
There are exceptions, usually when the word is just repeated in a short time or used as part of an emotional scene, McMahon said. But any movie with more than three F-bombs likely couldn't remain PG-13, she said. And if the word is used to signify sex, the film automatically gets an R rating.
The "30-second rule" on YouTube refers to the critical first moments of a video, where creators must hook viewers within about 30 seconds to get them to keep watching, as YouTube registers meaningful engagement after this mark, impacting visibility and watch time. It's a key focus for audience retention, with strategies involving dynamic editing (B-roll, angles), emotional hooks, and clear value propositions, but it's distinct from copyright myths about using 30-second music clips.
YouTube has updated its monetization policy which now allows swearing within the first 7 seconds of videos instead of being censored! Both old and new uploaded videos will now be eligible to earn full ad revenue!
You can add a list of words and phrases that you don't want to show in comments to your blocked words lists. Comments containing or closely matching these terms may be held for up to 60 days, unless they're from someone on your approved user list.