There’s been a noticeable change in attitude towards ‘bad’ language.
It seems people are less likely to be offended by comedians using four-letter words than they are by ordinary people expressing their personal opinions.
Yet, in 1972, the American comedian George Carlin first performed a routine now regarded as a classic, called “The Seven Words You Can’t Say On Television” – and, if you think I’m prepared to list them, you’re going to be disappointed.
Besides, his routine is available to view online,  but refrain from doing so if there’s anyone of a delicate nature in the room.
Although he performed the routine on stage for many years afterwards, ironically, it got its biggest audience when he incorporated it into an HBO TV special (he made 14 in all), by which time many TV viewers had heard most of the ‘forbidden’ words.
Today, we’re routinely exposed to them on terrestrial TV, often just after the watershed, and anytime on streaming services.
Which might explain why so many people feel free to use them in public.
A mate of mine and his wife were recently walking their daughter’s small dog for her while she was away and as they passed a young man wearing shorts, the dog suddenly snapped at his heels, not actually biting him.
However, the man reacted with a torrent of obscenities that would have made a sergeant-major blush, including variations of the strongest two in the English language, feeling no compunction to temper his words because he was in the presence of a middle-aged woman.
When my mate asked him to “Watch his language” the man just carried on swearing loudly, but before the situation could escalate into a nasty confrontation, the young man suddenly seemed to realise what he’d said and hastily apologised before walking off.
My friend ruefully observed that the young man’s instant verbal reaction included the two words once only heard in male company and that 20 years ago he might have been a little more careful with his language.
Maybe we should start a list of “Seven Words You Shouldn’t Say In Front Of A Lady!?