I reckon that when we open our mouths in the company of others we can
quickly assess those around us and select our word choice accordingly
before speaking. I often find myself making course adjustments based on
the reactions of others.

Online, though, it's difficult to know when someone has read something
that offends or annoys them. So "G" rated language seems the safest subset
of the language to use.

That said, I have had feedback from some who have been offended about the
silliest darn things. (Ooh, look: he said "darn," which is another way of
saying "d__n!")

W.C. Fields resorted to "mother of pearl!" "Godfrey Daniel!," and "drat"
in place of harsher expletives. This got him past the bluestockings of the
time, but savvier folk knew what he was saying. He was not so easily
tyrannized by Mrs. Grundy <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs_Grundy>.

But he had talent. Not all of us can make the same claim.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR