When I mentioned that unless was a more appropriate word to use in determining guilt or innocence, I did not mean that until was an actual bad word; but it is a bad word in this context. When stating a person is innocent until proven guilty, it prejudges; unless, on the other hand, opens the door to more options. And since this is supposed to be part of a democratic process, a more democratic term should be used.

There are other words that are not considered profane or derogatory that can become offensive or inappropriate when the context is profane, derogatory, offensive, or inappropriate. And of course the person speaking has a lot to do with it.

I’m sure you can think of enough words that had been considered profane that are now used casually, but they can still sting in certain contexts. I personally will never accept anyone – family or friends – calling me a bitch, but some people are comfortable with it and even feel it is a term of endearment. And people of a certain ethnicity that call each other the terms that were derogatory when spoken by those outside the ethnicity still seesaws between acceptance and offense.

Not responding or ignoring these words when spoken to you does not lessen their impact. Again, when considering the power of words, it has been proven time and time again that when action is taken when these words are used in a profane or derogatory manner, the offender will pay the price.