After writing a paper 'til the wee hours, one thinks about swearing a lot...

I always find it amusing when swear words become part of common phrases that don’t make sense when one considers the original meaning of the swear word.

For example, if something is “the sh#@,” it means it is pretty cool (ex: “Yeah, man, this song is the sh#@!”). If “sh#@” means excrement; that means that when saying this you are comparing this thing you think is cool to excrement. It doesn’t work if you use a synonym: “Man, this song is awesome!” “I know man, it’s totally poop! It’s excrement. It totally brings bowel movements to mind.” “…That’s gross, man”.  

Sometimes, rather than being contradictory, the phrase ends up being just nonsensical. This is best seen in the case of the word “a$$.” For some reason, it gets attached to all sorts of other words because…it enhances it somehow. Smart-a$$, Dumb-a$$, Bad-a$$, Lame-a$$, etc. Again, it doesn’t make sense when you use a synonym: “You’re such a dumb-butt.” “Dude! That was so bad-posterior!” “What a lame-derriere joke.” 

Doesn't quite make it through translation intact, does it?

(written the next morning)

Whoa, this is weird. I guess this is what my mind thinks about at 2 am.