Because of the nature of some of the subject matter, this post is rated PG-13. 

Francis Schaefferonce noted a parallel between the decline of civilizations and their tendency toward crudeness.  In this case, crude is defined both as “marked by the primitive, gross, or elemental or by uncultivated simplicity or vulgarity,” and “rough or inexpert in plan or execution.”  The example Dr. Schaeffer used was an examination of Roman coins and the year they were minted.  One could clearly see the decline of the empire mirrored in the decline of craftsmanship in the engraved images.  There are many such parallels, but the one I want to talk about today is language.

Although I speak some Spanish, I can only look with any degree of expertise at American English .  I used to obsess over picky, esoteric facets of the language (Data is the plural of datum. “The data is wrong,” is wrong.)  Lately, it has been much more obvious stuff.  Some of it is just word use (usage and utilization are just stuff-shirt words that carry no greater weight than “use.”)  I frequently see someone write, “I like it alot.”  (Sigh) there is a word, allot, to assign as a share or portion, but the writer almost always means “a lot,” a considerable quantity or extent.  Did I mention that unique means the only oneand cannot be a comparative adjective.  Very unique is akin to very pregnant.   

The major decline I see, however is in the crudeness of language.  We commonly take a vulgar two-word phrase, remove the offensive word, and use it in polite company.  People that would never use the original incestuous phrase will call something a “big mother” and think nothing of it.  Even television commercials, where the two-word phrase for oral sex would be banned, use the term “sucks.”  I once argued with a newsroom editor about the term SNAFU, a World War II term.  The editor said it stood for “Situation normal, all fouled up.”  I suggested his history was a little shaky, the “F” originally stood for the common term for carnal knowledge.  He was not born until long after the war ended, but remains convinced that his interpretation is correct.

I once heard a young person say, “Our generation swears; get over it.”  There is no getting over it, or not.  Allowing the language to descend into the mud, and then defending it as a generational thing is simply proof of the parallel decline of our society in general.  It is not, in itself, the problem; it is the Check Engine Soon light on the dashboard of life.  A skilled speaker has no need of vulgarities.  If you have a reasonable working vocabulary, you can disparage a person’s intelligence, ancestry, and personal hygiene without using a single vulgar word.  You can be funny, express joy or sorrow, agreement or dissent, and do it in civil terms.  

We may, or may not be able to reverse the general decline of the American society, but we can learn to speak our language, native or learned, with the thin covering of civilization in place, and intact.