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| - In some family-oriented shows, instead of using completely made-up swear words, actual but relatively mild cuss words, such as "hell" and "damn", will get promoted to the top of the swearing ladder. Contrary to popular belief, the words "damn" and "hell" are permissible in a G-rated film. For example, the 1971 movie Airport had both ("Where the hell are you?" and "You've always got some damn excuse!") and it still received a G rating, though movie-rating standards have changed since then. Even some G-rated animated features, such as Sleeping Beauty, The Secret of NIMH, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, have included mild swear words. However, it is worth noting that "Hell" can refer to the place and "damn" can mean condemnation to said place, and thus are not swear words even if such concep
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| abstract
| - In some family-oriented shows, instead of using completely made-up swear words, actual but relatively mild cuss words, such as "hell" and "damn", will get promoted to the top of the swearing ladder. Contrary to popular belief, the words "damn" and "hell" are permissible in a G-rated film. For example, the 1971 movie Airport had both ("Where the hell are you?" and "You've always got some damn excuse!") and it still received a G rating, though movie-rating standards have changed since then. Even some G-rated animated features, such as Sleeping Beauty, The Secret of NIMH, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, have included mild swear words. However, it is worth noting that "Hell" can refer to the place and "damn" can mean condemnation to said place, and thus are not swear words even if such concepts are a little heavy for children. "Bitch" and "ass" almost never get such passes, though "ass" is sometimes used as a joke when referring to a donkey. While "damn" is normally permissible, "goddamn" is still considered a Christian taboo, particularly in America. The MASH movie when shown on TV has had Sergeant Gorman's Catch Phrase, "Goddamn Army" bowdlerised to "Damn Army". The use of "Hades" as an old-fashioned synonym for "hell" is theologically correct, in the right context, but is commonly misused in any context in which "hell" would work. Using Hades as Satan is never correct though. See also The Underworld for other terms that may be substituted in this manner in works based on other theological settings. In the UK "sod" and "bugger" are mildly obscene -- equivalent to "hell" or "damn" in the US. Hence, in pre-Watershed non-children's dramas or comedies, "sod" and "bugger" stand in for "fuck" and "wanker". (Not understanding that "bugger" is a swearword in the UK or "damn" is a swear in the US is not this trope, but something else entirely.) Reduced-strength swearing can severely undermine dramatic scenes, especially if strong language would be natural under the circumstances. If it is explained that the character actually used a different word, see Narrative Profanity Filter. Occasionally, this is justified: there are some characters (and some people) who simply don't swear. Although not swearing in situations where there is no reason not to (especially if you say other things instead) will get you odd looks, there are some people who don't swear, even when the situation warrants it. Other cases, this is used intentionally to create an Incredibly Lame Punny swear ("For the love of Chrysler!"). See also Curse of the Ancients, Never Say "Die", T-Word Euphemism, and the Wikipedia article on minced oaths. Contrast Cluster F-Bomb which is the exact opposite, but can be just as annoying. A favorite tool of the Badbutt -- the G-rated Badass. Another character type known for this is the Minnesota Nice. Examples of Gosh Dang It to Heck include:
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