@Sue. I think I have to agree with you on this. To some extent the current dialogue is devaluing the language, although a lot of it is just positioning of arguments. Perhaps it's more valuable looking at FactChecking sites (real ones, not those created by one of the parties)? (Belong pedantic, but isn't this "off topic"?) Having said that I guess the suitability and impact of language is determined by context, venue, speaker and audience. If I use the F word in church it's probably viewed as shocking and offensive, if I use it at a football match probably no one will notice, if I use it in a management meeting it will probably wake people up so they notice my point, also in the pub it will be used as " punctuation" to emphasise point, and if English is my second language I may not realise it's inappropriate to say "this cake's F-ing nice" at the vicar's tea party ...
Michael Ixer ● 2537d