Is “Screw” a Curse Word?

Recently I took a poll over MySpace and Facebook to determine if the majority of my friends found that the phrases “screw you” or “screw this” are meant as explicate terms. From extreme religious to non religious, from stay at home moms to the working class, from teenagers to seniors, the people who answered all came from totally different backgrounds.

All though my turn-out rate was less than expected; it seems the majority of those who commented all agreed on one thing. The phrase “Screw You” is also another way to say a censored phrase, only with the first word being substituted with screw. Although they are two different words, the meaning is the same giving the word “screw” the same definition as the “F” word. So, if in a situation where the phrase “Screw You” is said, it will be looked at by the majority of the public that the speaker does indeed have a potty mouth.

The next phrase “screw that” had two different reactions from participates. Some said that although the phrase has an explicate meaning; it is more tolerable than “screw you” or the “F” option. The others said the same; however the phrase is not tolerable to any degree.

I furthered my research into simple definitions. According to Encarta Dictionary, and Microsoft Office, the word “screw” has eight different definitions. Two of the definitions regard “screw” as an offensive term when used as a noun:

5. Offensive term- an offensive term for an act or instance of sexual intercourse.

6. Offensive term- an offensive term for a sexual partner considered with regard to his or her sexual performance.

When implied as a verb, the word “screw” again has eight definitions with two being acknowledged as offensive.

5. Offensive term- transitive or intransitive verb, an offensive term meaning to have sexual intercourse with somebody.

8. Offensive term- transitive term, an offensive term expressive of anger or frustration with somebody or something.

However, I find interesting that when saying “screw” as a verb, it is not necessarily offensive depending on tone and underlying intentions. For example:

3. Crush something- transitive verb, to crumple or crush something into a ball.

• Screwed up the letter and threw it away.

6. Cheat somebody- transitive verb, to cheat or swindle somebody. (Slang)

7. Extort something- transitive verb, to get something out of somebody with great difficulty. (Slang)

• We managed to screw some money out of him in the end.

In summary, it seems that the phrases “Screw you” or “Go screw noun” is defined as being offensive. However the phrases “screw this” or “You screwed that up” can have several different meanings behind it considering the speakers tone and emotion. With that being said, it is clear that word “screw” can be seen as a curse word depending upon how it is spoken in a sentence and how the listener interrupts the phrase. But now knowing how the public feels and these definitions, one can argue their meaning behind these phrases if said appropriately.