A word often mentioned in politics could be an ideal cuss word.
The cuss words we have now can be so revolting, they often have to be muffled with strategically-inserted symbols. Like when you’re reading an article, and there’s ‘bulls#*t,’ or various other words, with symbols hinting at missing letters.
You pretty much understand the words, even with the symbols in them.
Softening nasty words has been done in the past, but differently, like during the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, when President Nixon had profane words, that were recorded during White House meetings, replaced with [EXPLETIVE DELETED], in the transcripts of meetings.
That became a joke, of sorts, with folks using ‘expletive deleted’ in conversations, so they could avoid saying profane words.
Cuss words have evolved, over the years. In the 18th century, ‘bloody’ was considered a nasty word. But nowadays, in Britain and Australia, ‘bloody’ can be something good, like bloody good food, for example.
But since cuss words, these days, can seem especially harsh, maybe we could use something a little different. A — sort of — multi-purpose word, that could be used one way or another.
And I think I know such a word…’caucus,’ defined as a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or a movement.
In politics, you hear about leaders in the Senate and the House attempting to keep their respective caucuses in line.
Think about ‘caucus’… about how it sounds when you say it… and imagine ‘caucus’ as an expletive that wouldn’t have to be deleted or softened with symbols, because it doesn’t sound terribly bad. Except perhaps if there’s an adjective — like ‘flaming’ — preceding it?
During heated debates in Congress, if some senator happened to call another senator a ‘flaming caucus,’ I suppose that could seem a bit harsh. But not nearly as harsh as ‘flaming assh*l#,’ don’t you think?
I’m nominating ‘caucus’ to be the world’s next, best cuss word.
All in favor, say ‘Aye!’
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.