----- Original Message ----- From: "Geoffrey Thomas" <geoffreythomas(a)onetel.com> To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 8:36 PM Subject: Re: Insect Conductivity - language? back you so are Having decided to enter the debate I thought I might try out a bit of allusion alongside an expletive - as above . I must say that I find it distinctly uncomfortable to see the last line in print. I think I belong to the school that believes that swearing is an art form ( not ark B ) and if it is used indiscriminately it loses it's impact. I think this is true of most things in life . I find that the allusion is a lot funnier as , obviously, it leaves the reader to visualise the word and the "scene" for him/her/self. (P.C.)This is a bit like radio as opposed to tv , I suppose. Swearing , in a conversational context, is probably easier to get away with as you have inflexion, intonation etc. to convey meaning and any humour. This is why it looks so bad in print , I think. I thought the beginning of " Four weddings and a funeral " was poor in this respect -poor acting?- but perhaps it's a generation gap effect. I certainly have no objections to anyone writing such in an email , I merely express my own mild discomfort at seeing my own word in print. I don't believe in any form of organised religion with a deity , in case anyone is wondering. The only person I know who has a magic wand is Sooty ! Izzy Wizzy ..................... Geoff.