How Does “Fuck” Relate To “Christ”?
Common to social media, we are witnessing a tidal wave of swear words as ‘acceptable’ reactions. Reactions of disbelief, anger, disappointment or shock at the comments and utterance of others. These swear words are coming from decent people, even well-lettered intellectuals. One of the most common swear words (phrases) used is “FFS” (For Fuck’s sake) often abbreviated to show some decency by the user. It is not too surprising but still so incongruent to observe that people enjoy wordplay. Moreover, they use the word “fuck” in FFS as interchangeable with the word “Christ” as in FCS (For Christ’s sake). They have become habitual substitutes for each other.
We do not have a case here where most people writing on social media use the phrases FFS only. Or FCS as an invariable rule. Those with a proclivity to swear on-line when provoked, direct or indirect, on social media use the swear words that come first to their minds. The explanation for it is not very apparent. But some social media users use both FFS and FCS on the same day, for several days and sometimes in the same exchange.
In the everyday world “Christ” and “Fuck” and their connotations are not words that go together in any conceivable way. Well, unless as deliberate iconoclasm or reckless disregard or a deconstructed post-modern expression. It becomes more interesting when people use FFS instead of the For Fuck’s sake. Seeking decency and respectability on the back of vulgar antics does not appear sensible or reasonable. Well, what is and who defines the terms “sensible” and “reasonable”? Maybe it is protesting in disguise or a Pyrrhic claim to freedom and liberty. Who knows?
Nevertheless, I am still looking for a link between Christ and fuck, as used in everyday parlance. But should I? Why did I even bother with this? Social media!
Grimot Nane