Is cursing no longer allowed?

Arcade Andrew·Jan 22, 2016·6 votes·4,705 views

Title^ I know that there is a rule "offensive language" that applies to things like deragortory terms or homophobic terms, but I played a game where I admittedly used the F word a lot, (not really directed at anyone) because we were losing due to an intentional feeder.

I often said "F-word-ing ridiculous..." Or other phrases like that directed at nobody just displeasure is general for being in a losing game because somebody was feeding.

Or other phrases like "oh my bleeping God.." Every time I got melted by the enemy who got the kills.

I expected maybe one or two reports for negative attitude, but I got a warning for offensive language (a warning often means you've been reported in your past few games for that offense) I generally do curse a lot, but not directed at anyone(example: "F YEAH I GOT A KILL WOOO F YEAH")

So my question is: is cursing just not allowed anymore? Or can I still drop the F bomb?

45 Comments

RiotRiot WhiskiesJan 23, 201616 votes

Arcade Andrew, totally get you on the cursing thing... I'm sure there are many who would disagree, but there is a certain descriptive eloquence about swear words when used properly, and I can super appreciate that :P It's also a great outlet for me to verbalize my frustrations instead of taking actions I'll regret [like when someone rudely cuts me off when I'm driving, for example].

The trouble with cursing though is knowing the appropriate time/place to do it. When it comes to IRL interactions, or even over voice, it's a lot easier to understand a situation and see/hear other people. But when you're in a game, esp with strangers... others have already mentioned that you need to be wary of causing negative experiences for others and accidentally offending people. Some members of the League community are more sensitive to this kind of language than most, and it's so hard to know how everyone will take your words. You saying 'WTF' thinking you are chastising yourself for making a stupid move might strike someone else as you being fed up with your team / the game / whatever.

If you are really looking to just play it safe, I'd recommend simply saying stuff out loud. I'm willing to bet that in 100% of my games I blurt out 'SH*T!' [and consequently surprise the people around me who aren't in the game with me, hehe], but I never type it out.

ChimeiTekinaNasuJan 23, 20161 votes

{quoted}

If you are really looking to just play it safe, I'd recommend simply saying stuff out loud. I'm willing to bet that in 100% of my games I blurt out 'SH*T!' [and consequently surprise the people around me who aren't in the game with me, hehe], but I never type it out.

^This. I'm guessing some people enjoy getting reported. Why type "piece of shit feeding Ezreal" when you can just, say it out loud or something. Like keep your fingers off the chat and focus on the game. Cause raging doesn't help anyone to win no matter how much they like to think that. lol

Arcade AndrewJan 23, 20161 votes

exactly: when I type in game I generally say things in a neutral manner, for example:

my most recent 5/10 teemo support game i kept saying things like "FUCK ME" or "OH MY FUCKING GOD THE CC D:" (played against leo/vayne combo)

in the end we won though, but everytime I fuck up i chastize myself

Arcade AndrewJan 23, 20165 votes

I didnt expect a riot response :D thanks grrlee for clearing this up!

I was legit unsure what the rule/parameters were/are for cursing.

and I often do verbalize it more often :p but I just want to not be toxic tword anyone thats why i asked.

Pòrnhub GiftcardJan 23, 20164 votes

{quoted}

Arcade Andrew, totally get you on the cursing thing... I'm sure there are many who would disagree, but there is a certain descriptive eloquence about swear words when used properly, and I can super appreciate that :P It's also a great outlet for me to verbalize my frustrations instead of taking actions I'll regret [like when someone rudely cuts me off when I'm driving, for example].

The trouble with cursing though is knowing the appropriate time/place to do it. When it comes to IRL interactions, or even over voice, it's a lot easier to understand a situation and see/hear other people. But when you're in a game, esp with strangers... others have already mentioned that you need to be wary of causing negative experiences for others and accidentally offending people. Some members of the League community are more sensitive to this kind of language than most, and it's so hard to know how everyone will take your words. You saying 'WTF' thinking you are chastising yourself for making a stupid move might strike someone else as you being fed up with your team / the game / whatever.

If you are really looking to just play it safe, I'd recommend simply saying stuff out loud. I'm willing to bet that in 100% of my games I blurt out 'SH*T!' [and consequently surprise the people around me who aren't in the game with me, hehe], but I never type it out.

Being complete strangers should be exactly why it makes less sense for them to be offended. Words may have socially agreed upon meanings assigned to them by the general population of speakers, but inherently the only meaning they carry is the one assigned by the receiver.

PersianShinobiJan 23, 20161 votes

It's always been easier for me to express my opnions online rather than in person because of the anonymity of both myself and the people responding. I know you don't really care about me and I definitely don't care about you, so why should either of us care what our opinions of each other are?

Pòrnhub GiftcardJan 24, 20161 votes

{quoted}

It's always been easier for me to express my opnions online rather than in person because of the anonymity of both myself and the people responding. I know you don't really care about me and I definitely don't care about you, so why should either of us care what our opinions of each other are?

Well said. Everyone should be carrying a bag that contains zero fucks in it. Especially for a video game.

CosnirakJan 25, 20161 votes

Your reasoning is why I'm not really bothered when someone on League unfairly criticizes my skill in game. But it isn't an excuse to be a jerk to people. We play to have fun, and stranger or not, people are reasonable when they expect to be treated with decency. It doesn't benefit players to call be able to call each other awful things without punishment.

In regards to justifying bad behavior with the idea that words only mean what the receiver lets them: If a stranger comes up to you at a store and starts insulting you and the family or friends that you're there with do you just completely ignore it and brush it off with zero impact on your life? Maybe a few people can, but most can't. And that doesn't make those who can't weak or overly sensitive. Words matter, even when typed by strangers.

Arcade AndrewJan 25, 20162 votes

The point of this threadisnt asking if it's ok to critizce others, but if it is ok To Curse as in "F YEAH I GOT A KILL"

CosnirakJan 25, 20161 votes

I responded to 'Pornhub Fap Sock' not you. My post wasn't really about the point of the thread though indeed, it was just a response to what that one person said.

AnomanderJan 22, 20168 votes

Saying "fuck" is different from saying "Fuck you". Although I personally don't have a problem with cursing. Just don't curse at me. Also be careful your not created a negative experience for your team.

"well I fucked that up" is prolly ok "WTF were you thinking" is harassing your teammate.

The bottom line is if it can be taken as a negative directed at anyone it prolly should not be said.

KrigjerJan 22, 20164 votes

"WTF were you thinking" is harassing your teammate.

This seems so tame, I hate how this is considered harassment. So we're not allowed to call our teammates out when they do something stupid? There's a difference between trying to understand your teammate's thought process and actually calling them a moron.

YumeiiJan 22, 20164 votes

{quoted}

This seems so tame, I hate how this is considered harassment. So we're not allowed to call our teammates out when they do something stupid? There's a difference between trying to understand your teammate's thought process and actually calling them a moron.

It's probably not harassment per se, though everyone's personal definition is different. It is, however, directed at someone and highly aggressive.

I mean, imagine you just made a mistake. You know you made a mistake. It feels bad and most people's knee-jerk reaction is to blame someone else for it, cause who likes to own up to their own mistakes?

Now someone says, "WTF were you thinking?" What do you do? Go.

I guarantee that the majority are either going to get defensive or they'll clam up. Plus, they have now found a target in which they can vent their frustration: the person who said it.

Compare and contrast with: "I think it might have been better to play it safe and not jump in alone. Just got tunnel visioned huh?"

Yes, it takes longer to type. Yes, it requires you to think about what you're saying prior to spouting out the first thing that comes to mind. However, that's the price you pay if you're truly trying to have a meaningful talk. Using phrases like "I think / feel / believe" and avoiding directed, finger-pointing statements really help to prevent defensiveness and allows the person to open up more about what they were thinking at the time. Real conversations are hard.

Now a lot of people will try to defend "verbal harassment," whether cussing or not, as merely constructive criticism. These people don't know what constructive criticism means. This is where the whole "don't direct the cussing at someone" stems from, since doing so inherently attacks the person you're speaking to.

Constructive criticism isn't about attacking, it's not about blaming, it's not about showing you're right and they're wrong. Constructive criticism is about helping the other person improve. And to do so, you must word your criticism in a manner that doesn't target them. After all, you're not criticizing the person; you're criticizing the execution. See any writing, drawing, etc. workshops to learn how to actually criticize things.

Let's be real. When you say something like, "WTF were you thinking?" you're not trying to understand their thought process, you're not trying to figure out what went wrong to help them improve. You're trying to make sure they know they screwed up and that they regret it.

Woo, I ended up typing a lot more than I thought I would. Hope you don't mind the wall of text.

KrigjerJan 22, 20161 votes

I mean, imagine you just made a mistake. You know you made a mistake. It feels bad and most people's knee-jerk reaction is to blame someone else for it, cause who likes to own up to their own mistakes?

Personally I'd agree that what I did was stupid. 'Yeah that didn't work out how I wanted it to'.

And I really think that anyone that's offended at this sort of statement needs to get a thicker skin. Learn that they are just words, and they're not going to hurt you.

Let's be real. When you say something like, "WTF were you thinking?" you're not trying to understand their thought process, you're not trying to figure out what went wrong to help them improve. You're trying to make sure they know they screwed up and that they regret it.

Says you. I'm genuinely curious if they had this big outplay in their head and it just got messed up along the way.

Not everyone is out to get you with their words.

YumeiiJan 22, 20162 votes

That's all fine and good if that's how you feel. But note that when I say "you" in that big, long post I'm not necessarily saying you specifically but more of a general sense to the world at large.

And sure, you (specifically) can say that's what you'd think when someone says "WTF were you thinking?" to you now. Not in game. When things aren't tense. As an outside observer thinking about a hypothetical situation. And answering in a way that is directly formulated to further your point. Sure, it's easy to do it then.

But again, when the time really comes, you (general sense) are likely to get defensive. Blame-sounding statements directed at a person do that. Once you accept that this is how people are, it makes learning to talk to them without offending them easier. Even if you sprinkle your conversations with cussing left and right.

Think of it like how horror movies achieve jump scares by... well... being surprising. It's not always necessarily an actual scary event. In much the same way, it's not about others growing thicker skin in this type of situation, it's about knowing how speak to others without triggering ingrained auto-responses to get defensive.

Quick edit: really think about "WTF were you thinking?" though. Does that get the point across that you want to know whether a big outplay went bad? Or does it sound like you're passive-aggressively saying, "you screwed up." Cause if you're trying to achieve the former, those are not the words to use.

KrigjerJan 23, 20161 votes

Think of it like how horror movies achieve jump scares by... well... being surprising. It's not always necessarily an actual scary event. In much the same way, it's not about others growing thicker skin in this type of situation, it's about knowing how speak to others without triggering ingrained auto-responses to get defensive.

In the same way a horror movie is 'surprising' with jump scares, people will respond to a stupid play with these kind of phrases.

Who in the world is going to stop and think about what they're saying in the heat of the moment. Again, people need to stop letting words hurt them.

TrulyBlandJan 23, 20163 votes

So basically... control our emtions, i.e. the very fucking way our brain is wired, vs. controling the words that you say? Sounds sensible and not like victim blaming at all.

KrigjerJan 23, 20161 votes

So basically... control our emtions, i.e. the very fucking way our brain is wired, vs. controling the words that you say? Sounds sensible and not like victim blaming at all.

One game I was adc, and we had a Zed mid vs an Akali. Granted my support and I were pushed, and Akali roamed bot and got a double. All I did was ask Zed to either push his lane when she's gone or follow his laner when she roams. He responded 'You're rude and harassing me, muted.'

As I've said multiple times. Learn not to let words hurt you. There's a difference between calling someone out for a stupid play they did and actually insulting/attacking them.

CosnirakJan 25, 20161 votes

"There's a difference between calling someone out for a stupid play they did and actually insulting/attacking them."

During a game? To a stranger? With just text so they don't know your tone? No, there isn't.

KrigjerJan 25, 20161 votes

"There's a difference between calling someone out for a stupid play they did and actually insulting/attacking them."

During a game? To a stranger? With just text so they don't know your tone? No, there isn't.

'Shit man, that was a really dumb play.' 'Maybe let's not fucking do that again, lol.'

'You are a fucking moron player, you piece of shit making that play'

One is a direct insult meant to instigate a fight. The other is normal speech with a curse word thrown in. I don't mind one. The other I agree is reportable. I wish you people would read what I have to say.

CosnirakJan 25, 20161 votes

I read what you said. You're missing the point. When you type "Maybe let's not fucking do that again, lol." to you it's light hearted and ok. But a lot of people won't read it that way. It will depend on their mood, if they even read all the words correctly, and more.

That example does have a pretty good chance of being taken correctly simply because it uses "let's" which lumps you in with the other person, sharing in the blame, making it much more clear. But even when attempting to sound like that many times it wouldn't be appropriate to blame yourself as well, and that's typically when people get upset and take what was said very wrong.

It's very difficult for some people to accept (including myself) but in 99% of cases you simply can't help another person you don't know get better at the game by saying ANYTHING AT ALL EVER. Regardless of the situation, even positive ones... This means that telling someone how to improve or what they did wrong, no matter how well intended and/or written is at best a waste and at worst going to make things MUCH worse.

Sadly the correct choice is to say nothing to them about plays made or not made and instead just say positive things like "fuck yeah" when a good play is made. If you want to help strangers get better the best way is leading by example.

Personally sometimes when I get pissed at my team mates making some kind of obviously terrible play I just say things (that I probably shouldn't anyways) when the game is over and without insulting the person and instead just insulting their particular play (the difference can be hard to make clear and I try not to say anything if I can't make that clear). Sometimes I just fuck up and say mean stuff. But I tend to know that right after I do it and it reminds me to stop doing that. Apparently I only do it very rarely because I've never even gotten an official warning from Riot.

KrigjerJan 25, 20161 votes

Apparently I only do it very rarely because I've never even gotten an official warning from Riot.

Riot doesn't seem to have an issue with my manner of speaking because I've also never gotten a warning or punishment. I'll also say that I'm usually the first person to recommend my team to stop fighting or mute each other. I don't support toxicity... but I don't think simple words in themselves are toxic. There has to be harmful intent behind the words.

CosnirakJan 26, 20161 votes

It's not about there being words that we can't say (I got no problem with people cursing). But I stand by my stance that it's usually wrong to tell strangers how to play better or even point out their mistakes, especially when communication is so limited.

I don't tell people when I report them, I try not to tell people when I think they made an awful play. But sometimes I do (nicely) ask for a change in how someone is playing if I think there's a decent chance they'll listen.

"There has to be harmful intent behind the words."

There only has to be intent to harm for there to be intended harm, not for there to be harm period. When we talk to a person face to face the odds are greatly reduced that they are harmed by our words when we don't intend any. And yet even face to face it still happens at times, and can even end relationships. But usually that connection to a person affords us an opportunity to clarify things if we are misunderstood, even if we only just met them. Online we are far less likely to get that opportunity. These two factors combined mean we are wise to tread more cautiously from the beginning, not because everyone should be treated like an insecure child, but because there is simply far less room for error.

AnomanderJan 23, 20164 votes

This is true for maybe a slip of the tongue. However this is not a instant reaction. This is a deliberate action. You not only have to think of what to type you have to take the action of typing.

This is a delayed action and is not excusable.

Even a slip of the tongue is something that someone can learn to control. Anyone who works with people learn to control their word choice and actions.

People need to learn to control themselves and stop blaming others.

KrigjerJan 23, 20162 votes

People need to learn to control themselves and stop blaming others.

And people need to learn that words don't hurt.

I'm done. Ya'll want everyone to sugarcoat everything they say. God bless the poor little children that can't handle a few coarse words.

ModPrandineJan 23, 20162 votes

{quoted}

And people need to learn that words don't hurt.

I'm done. Ya'll want everyone to sugarcoat everything they say. God bless the poor little children that can't handle a few coarse words.

I disagree. Words can most definitely hurt depending on ones mental state. I also disagree that people want to "sugarcoat" everything that people say. Like the old saying goes there's a time and a place for everything, and typing out a rage-filled post to a teammate just for playing poorly is never the right time, as chances are they know that they messed up. Also, I fail to see why others should grow a thicker skin just so you can act however you want. Perhaps you shouldn't be playing on a team with other living beings if you can't not rage at someone who already knows that they messed up.

For your arguments in general, these passages from Ulanopo's Knowledge Base should help answer them fairly well:

People who report are simply being oversensitive. The mute button exists for a reason.

Lets start with the Riot quote on this (link (http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?p=30696571#post30696571)):

Why is verbal abuse punishable if there is a mute button/language filter? Players shouldnt need to rely on features like the mute button or language filter to engage with other players in positive ways. When a player verbally abuses another player and forces him to use the mute button, they have already created a negative experience for that player.

Simply put, Riot says no. You can scream and cry all you want, but it is their house and their rules.

With that out of the way, I think the topic deserves some further discussion. The theory is that, if people resolved to care less, then they would be happier. I often refer to this as Argument from Stoicism and I think it is a fairly weak philosophy because it places the burden on the person being expected to endure the behavior rather than the person exhibiting the behavior. You should be able to handle it is just a flimsy excuse for being a bully or a jerk. I have to be the bigger man so that you can do whatever you want? That hardly seems fair.

There is also the issue of how I spend my limited free time. Like most people, I am constantly required to make value judgments between the different forms of entertainment that are available to me and, let's be honest, we live in an age of nearly limitless entertainment options. If I'm having a bad day in League, I can just fire up Steam and play a whole bunch of games that don't require me to put up with someone's BS.

This is not an issue of weakness or thin-skin; it's a question of choosing activities that don't leave me feeling frustrated and angry. Too many of those experiences and I'll just find something else to do. Riot knows this.

EDITED 18 JULY 2014

If you kids report and punish things like this, youre going to be in trouble when you get out in the real world.

This is a subset of the oversensitivity argument, but I feel it warrants separate treatment.

You're making the highly unwarranted assumption that the people who punish for "noob" lack real-world experiences. If you were to ask the TBI regulars, you would find that almost all of us are at least in their late 20's, if not significantly older. Most of us have at least undergraduate degrees. So, this idea that we're all naive little children is more than a little silly.

Also, we know that professional players dislike people who spend their time typing because math. Not only are the report rates for the highest tiers not significantly lower than anywhere else (this from Lyte), but the pros know how that kind of behavior affects play. Someone who is on tilt is throwing the game just as much as the person who is playing poorly.

The truth of the matter is that the loose cannons end up having their misbehavior overshadow their skill. Look at Dennis Rodman. There has never been a better rebounder. Ever. But his legacy is not that he was basically a human vacuum. No, it's that he was out of control, both on and off the court.

In short, this is a stupid argument if you know anything about the people who are reporting and punishing you.

Riot is trying to police the internet and thats just stupid.

Well, to be fair, theyre really only trying to change the portion of the internet that they control, but thats a little beside the point. Its Riots house, therefore its their rules. They have a direct financial interest in removing the people who cause trouble lest they drive away business. You see the same thing at baseball games.

Its worth noting that Riots definition of causing trouble is the only one that matters. Riot is a huge believer in the power of math. You can be certain that they have very precise numbers for how much business a toxic player costs them. If they ban you, its because its worth it to them.

I dont think that people should be punished for speech. Other things, like feeding, are much more disruptive.

Im not going to tell you that your opinion is wrong, but you should know that neither Riot nor the majority of the community agrees with you. This is evidenced by the fact that the community has always consistently punished verbal toxicity. There may be some minor disagreement over certain words and phrases, but the overwhelming consensus is that it isnt welcome here.

Also, you arent ever going to get a pass on X because Y is worse. We'll still punish you all day for ANY toxicity. Get used to it.

AnomanderJan 23, 20161 votes

I chose a mild choice of words for a reason. This may not be offensive to a lot of people but it is still a directed attack on a individual and is no different then Implying they are stupid.

Words are easy to offend with. Maybe people should get a thicker skin and maybe people shouldn't get offended. I personally find people who take offense at these little things beyond childish. However I also understand that it is not something that is allowed and can create a very negative experience for a player.

My example was to give a extremely mild situation that can be considered harassment of the player. This was more for a clear line that any directed negativity can be taken as a offense.

ZoéToSleepJan 22, 20163 votes

i got the same thing I didn't think cursing was against the rules because there is an option to turn the language filter on and off but they might have changed it

Arcade AndrewJan 22, 20162 votes

Well rito always said cursing was fine if not directed at anyone

ReadyxPlayerxOneJan 22, 20161 votes

The filter is there to block "vulgar" language that isn't necessarily negative or retaliatory. You're correct.

Using curses and other vulgarities to "be a jerk" isn't acceptable.

ReadyxPlayerxOneJan 22, 20162 votes

Warnings pop up when the system identifies an positive response to a reportable offense. If reported for offensive language and it sees the word f@ck or @sshole it gives you a warning. That doesn't turn into penalties if you're not negative. I personally curse a lot, and i mean a LOT. And although I get a lot of warnings compared to most, I don't get restrictions or bans.

ModPrandineJan 22, 20162 votes

Cursing by itself won't get you punished. However, cursing at others will get you punished. From Understanding the Tribunal:

1) What's the point of having a language filter if I can get banned for 'adult' language? a) We aren't out to punish players who use adult language; in fact, very few players are ever banned for saying stuff like "f***, I missed that skill shot" or "damn, fing close game!" However, the language filter is not an excuse to verbally abuse someone in the game. When you verbally abuse or harass someone by calling them "fing *****" or "ngger noob", that's when you've crossed the line and will be punished by the Tribunal. I've said this before and I'll say it again, we aren't trying to clean online games of adult language; we're trying to reform or get rid of jerks who like to verbally abuse and harass other players.

Arcade AndrewJan 23, 20161 votes

I knew about this, however I was unsure if with the new punishment system, if the rule had changed.

ModPrandineJan 23, 2016

[{quoted}](name=Arcade Andrew,realm=NA,application-id=ZGEFLEUQ,discussion-id=rJZ6Ok8m,comment-id=00040000,timestamp=2016-01-23T03:51:18.696+0000)

I knew about this, however I was unsure if with the new punishment system, if the rule had changed.

As far as I know this rule has never been changed.

COMMINGJan 22, 20161 votes

Because riot likes to think they are your daddy....

Being 25 a veteran and unable to cuss is like..

Trying to shit out of a dick....

Lol

If riot did some serious bans instead of waiting till people get angry over trolls.

This would not be happening....

If I could I would let riot pay me to monitor league.

Shit they can pay me 10$ a game I'd be fine with that.

But they don't see what players see at all...

ReadyxPlayerxOneJan 22, 20164 votes

Do you even listen to yourself?

AnomanderJan 23, 20165 votes

Being 25 a veteran and unable to cuss is like..

Please don't blame being a veteran on your foul mouth.

I am a veteran. I have discipline. I can control my language.

COMMINGJan 23, 20163 votes

oh stop with the non sense. lol

ModPrandineJan 23, 20161 votes

Here's the thing though: in real life sometimes you mistakenly blurt things out that you didn't mean to blurt out, it happens. However, with chat you have to think about what you want to type and then actually type it out before pressing enter, so no, I don't buy excuses like "oh well I'm a veteran so I should be allowed to say whatever I want to say".

ChimeiTekinaNasuJan 23, 20161 votes

{quoted}

Because riot likes to think they are your daddy....

OR, because people are complaining to Riot about others being allowed to harass them and get away with it, that Riot decides to put in a stricter system to save the people that don't know how to use the language filter/mute button from the people that don't know how to quit raging 24/7 in game.

I Heart JudermanJan 22, 20161 votes

Dont type ever if you want to not get banned, seriously, not a joke. Riot is terrible. Welcome to liberal arts land.

ModPrandineJan 22, 20163 votes

[{quoted}](name=I Heart Juderman,realm=NA,application-id=ZGEFLEUQ,discussion-id=rJZ6Ok8m,comment-id=0005,timestamp=2016-01-22T21:05:31.194+0000)

Dont type ever if you want to not get banned, seriously, not a joke. Riot is terrible. Welcome to liberal arts land.

If you can't type without being a jerk to someone then so be it, don't chat ever. However, it is definitely possible to use the chat without being a jerk. I speak from experience as I often use the chat allot and yet I've never been warned or banned because I don't use it to be a jerk. From Ulanopo's Knowledge Base:

"I'm just going to mute everyone and only communicate through pings!"

You say that like it's a bad thing. You should know that most people only use the chat system for tactical communication and for pro forma pleasantries (GL/HF, GG, etc.). [citation needed] The idea that chat should be filled with a lot of back-and-forth is very definitely a minority opinion.

Here's the thing: we don't care what you do, as long as you aren't harassing or griefing other players. Talk, don't talk, it makes no difference to us.

Sythriel DrakenJan 23, 20161 votes

I don't get why you're being downvoted, but i usually say things like "Fuck, my bad". or "shit, that ones on me "when I do something stupid in apologizing to my team. I think it's more of the fact when you're spamming them in such a way that it causes a negative experience towards your team or to your opponent.

There's a huge difference between F you, you SOB, and Bloody F'in hell.

Arcade AndrewJan 23, 20161 votes

I dont mind downvotes, as long as my question got answered, which it did.

Dominick DestineJan 25, 20161 votes

I was punished and suspended in S3 and 4 despite very rarely using profanity.

You can insult people and make them cry... never using profanity at all. That is the difference between using language clumsily as a blunt weapon and using language with precision and skill.

Profanity is what people that have a very small... lexicon... would use.