Ted Lasso and Wrexham

I haven't seen Ted Lasso, but yes, spoken British English is different to American English in that respect. I feel there's a lot more opportunity to use swearing expressively for humour and emphasis, even quite gently. It can make good punctuation in casual conversation if done skillfully.

I think the answer to your question is yes, that show is probably quite representative of how many people speak, possibly overdone slightly for comedy value.

I'm not sure it's a case of "nowadays". I haven't noticed swearing patterns in language changing in my lifetime, and I'm fifty. I'd probably add that personally, I speak with what one might recognise as a strong Glaswegian accent, so swearing comes easier in my vernacular than it may do in others. I know how and when to moderate my language, but if I'm relaxed and having fun with conversation I'm probably including a few sweary words.

Visitors to the UK may not encounter all that much swearing if you're only dealing with people in the hospitality industry as part of their work.

Yes. It’s often observed that the British swear more and that it’s more acceptable, eg swearing in the workplace is usually fine between colleagues.

Yeah, the F word is used a lot as an intensifier in British English, in workplaces and, well, most places.

Phrases like “f…sake” and “f…ing hell” are pretty reflexive expressions for a lot of us (me included).

The C word is used quite widely too, although it’s much more taboo in many workplaces and you won’t hear it as much on telly.

I have a double life - proper professional job by day where I might use the F word for emphasis - but I have a side hustle by night where Fs and Cs are in use a lot. So I have to code switch!

We swear a lot. I am with Strephen Fry and love swearing.

That's one of my favorite things about the Brits. You can swear a lot! I do enjoy swearing but have had to restrain myself in polite society here in the states and especially around kids. Luckily I was an attorney in a law firm that had a lot of attorneys who also liked to use four-letter words. But it's not something you want to do in court. ;-)

Personally I don't see that it's such a big deal. It's just letters put together a certain way. But that's me and I realize I'm in the minority here.

The F word has even made it in other languages...
Just watching a German TV show. A father is driving with his 4yo daughter in the passenger seat. Something happens and he says "Scheisse".
The little girl answers: "Scheisse sagt man nicht"
"F**k" says that dad.
"Das ist besser" says the little girl...

Not quite Downton Abbey days anymore.

You can bet they would have been all been foul mouthed below stairs.

Yes. It’s often observed that the British swear more and that it’s more acceptable

But yet it sounds so much more refined than the crude remarks you hear in the US. It is also used as alliterative speech, rather than pure insult or aggressive speech, like in the US.

So the f-word and c-word is fine in front of anyone? Kids, too? I guess it's hilarious.

I was taking a graduate class a few years ago at the University of Virginia to maintain my teaching licensure, when a group of young men were out in the hallway, talking loudly, "F-word, F-word, etc." ad nauseam. The professor remained quiet until they entered the classroom and sat down. Finally, he said with a sly smile, "Gentlemen, forgive me but not everyone appreciates that type of brilliant verbiage. Please consider others before you demonstrate your command of the English language. Some people may suspect you have a form of palilalia." In other words, find another pejorative, preferable not an obscene one.

The young men slouched in their seats, looking down.

The professor went on to mention that when one uses the same word reflexively it may not always reflect positively on the user, and that any overused word loses it's power and efficacy if overused, and as annoying as a dog barking or a broken record. Also, he reiterated that we must respect others and they may not always appreciate one's rhetorical brilliance. In other words, have some class. There's a time and place for some things.

Heck, I use salty language on occasion, especially related to sports, but how I was taught and how I teach is antithetical to what I guess is the norm nowadays. Again, broaden your vocabulary was what we were aiming for.

But to each their own.

"So the f-word and c-word is fine in front of anyone? Kids, too? I guess it's hilarious."

Nope. You've entirely misunderstood. Both words are known to have an offensive meaning, but neither is "verboten". I can easily call my mate the c-word for not buying a drink when it is his turn and he'll know it is just banter. But I wouldn't use the same word to my aged aunt at a funeral. Context is everything. It's the same as the w-word. I'm not going to use it about an Asian colleague. But if she uses it about her husband, then it is okay. In the end, these are just words. It is how and when we use them that matters.

So the f-word and c-word is fine in front of anyone? Kids, too? I guess it's hilarious

No. I said:

The C word is used quite widely too, although it’s much more taboo in many workplaces and you won’t hear it as much on telly.

Bear in mind the British use of “quite” while reading this. Over here, quite means “fairly.” But also the fact I said that the “c” word is taboo in many places. That said, though, in its correct usage it’s a fantastic old English word.

I have to say, your professor sounds like he enjoyed a sense of superiority! (Incidentally I’m a university lecturer.)

I think you're missing the nuances of how English is used over here. The anecdote about your time at University of Virginia is fascinating, but doesn't really apply in any meaningful way over here. There's different cultural norms. One might draw a lineage back to the pilgrims and the standards imposed by religion to how language has developed in the US? It's probably overstating it to point to puritan ideas that never took off here, but those sort of roots in culture play a part I think. There just isn't the same level of connection to a strong moral standpoint over language here.

Nick, we've already had one person semi-brag about it in this thread like it's comical.

And my initial reference was Ted Lasso, where such language in front of children is apparently comedy gold. I didn't make it up.

Alright, I'm a stick in the mud. Funny thing is I worked closely with the Air Forces of Germany and the UK during NATO exercises and even in that (primarily) masculine, high testosterone environment we didn't talk like that, at least not often, and this was during the 1990s. I guess things have changed since then?

Class and discretion should never be outdated except at football games lol. Even then I look around for kids.

Really it’s fine if you don’t like swearing.

You asked a question and we have answered it. I’m sorry you don’t like that answer but unfortunately no one here can do much about it.

Language use is constantly evolving and attempts to control it are doomed to failure.