What is the difference between cursing and cussing

Featured answer. English US. They both mean to say a bad word. Some parts of the U. Curse can also mean to wish someone bad luck like a spell. I've never heard cuss used in that way though. When I picture someone swearing at their car, I envision someone muttering the typical cusses under their breath:. When I picture someone swearing at God, I picture someone who is frustrated but still using pre-defined acceptable words.

When I picture someone cursing God, I see the same thing, but they're shaking their fist, too, and tearing up with rage. So a curse does not need a swear word, to express how you wish someone to die.

Also, I believe it clearly expresses the intent of the heart. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. What is the difference between "to curse" and "to swear at"? Ask Question. Asked 6 years, 4 months ago. Active 4 years, 7 months ago.

Viewed 27k times. Improve this question. Soudabeh Soudabeh 9, 21 21 gold badges 63 63 silver badges 98 98 bronze badges. Which is the F word? What can I say instead of swearing? What is Iykyk? What does if YK YK mean? What does Iyk mean in a text message?

What does Icymi mean? What does the saying if you know you know mean? Is the saying when you know you know true? Who says the more you know? How do you say you dont know? How do you say no politely? For me, the difference between fur and bus comes mostly from the consonant; the vowels are not very different. Maybe you and I speak different dialects. Do you pronounce post-vocalic r? I agree that "cussing" and a non-rhotic "cursing" are not exactly the same; in the second, the vowel is longer.

I do believe though I am not from the south in the USA that even though "cuss" is the spoken equivalent of "curse" meaning using vile lanuage, I don't think that "cuss" is the spoken form of "a curse" that a witch doctor would cast on you.

Myridon Senior Member Texas. Packard said:. I don't want him back in this house again. He was using profanity and obscenity as he spoke. My apologies for not providing more context to this, in the form of a sentence. I am most interested in learning which 'word' would be most appropriate in a literary context, as in writing. Definitely "cursing", in my opinion.

Native language: English BrE. However, most British people have a non-rhotic pronunciation. Yes and cussed to mean obstinate or pig headed is fairly established in BrE.