Where's the line? (Spin-off from Vulgarity in Fantasy thread)

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

And, like I've said, it's not the words, it's the speech patterns of their use, and the context of the world they're in.

My thoughts exactly. Screaming at the succubus to "Get thee back to the abyss, hellspawned bitch" is fine. "Like, oh my gawd, she's such a bitch" isn't.

Edit: Note, too, that I'm assuming 'traditional' fantasy. For stuff like the Dresden books, this doesn't apply.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Others have said it well. A lot has to do with context.

If it really makes sense for the character, I have less problems with vulgarity.
If it is being used for shock value, I have more of a problem with it.

If it is used all over the place, even if it makes sense for the characters, I will probably end up dropping the book because I probably won't empathize with the characters at all; something that is important to me in reading fiction.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I don't know if there is a line and I guess it depends on the character, their personality and background and the context that it is used but too much gets old.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

I think sometimes profanity is not only okay, but NECESSARY. For instance:

"Gad, sir! Gad, sir!" sputtered the Skookum Bench king. "I'll give you a thousand for him, sir, a thousand, sir--twelve hundred, sir."

Thornton rose to his feet. His eyes were wet. The tears were streaming frankly down his cheeks. "Sir," he said to the Skookum Bench king, "no, sir. You can go to hell, sir. It's the best I can do for you, sir."

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I can deal with profanity, when it works. Vulgarity is something else, and I don't consider them perfect synonyms. Vulgarity is ulgier and less necessary.

An example for me are the PHB Public Service Anouncements on YouTube. The producers of those seem to think saying the F-bomb more makes something more funny. It was cute at first, but then it got old fast like it always does.

Another example of when it doesn't work for me is Tarantino-esque dialogue. Quick repartee is nice, but drenching it in the mental gutter is clever the first time and boring after that.