obscene talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obscene talk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to conversations or discussions that involve vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language. Example: "The movie was criticized for its excessive use of obscene talk, which some viewers found distasteful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Basic cable is generally without obscene talk, even a show like "South Park".

The New York Times - Sports

Though there's poetry in their obscene talk, the collective sound that rises from them is the din of beasts struggling to survive in Darwin's jungle.

The New York Times

This is the same duplicitous, gloating, insecure man who embellished his own mediocre war record in order to run for Congress, who adored obscene talk but was a poor hand with the fair sex and who affected cloth-coat austerity while dabbling all his life in slush funds.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Compared to some of the things you've done on "Family Guy," the story of an obscene talking teddy bear could almost seem conventional.

The New York Times

For a mixed-race kid, this stiff ex-colonial zealot – with his obscene, grand guignol talk of whips, blood, excreta, urination and wide-eyed piccaninnies – was a monstrous, scary bogeyman.

The Guardian - Books

It may seem trivializing -- even obscene -- to talk about movies in the same breath as this week's tragedy, but the fact that so many people did was a symptom of our inability to get our minds around this disaster, our inability to find real-life precedents, real-life analogies for what happened in the morning hours of Sept. 11.

The New York Times - Arts

"He began to talk in obscene detail of his life in Willowbed Road [his fifteen-bob-a-week lodgings].

The Guardian - Books

All that angry talk about obscene pay packages at banks on the public dole has focused on the likes of Bank of America 's Ken Lewis (total compensation for 2008: $12.5 million) and Citigroup 's Vikram Pandit ($2.9 million), whose institutions aren't so healthy.

Forbes

There's a lot of censorship in the country, and I'm not just talking about obscene words.

The New York Times

It's also obscene that people are talking of building another plant because MOX fuel makes reactors more dangerous and risks nuclear proliferation because of the ease of extracting weapons-useable plutonium from MOX fuel," Mr Burnie said.

Independent

Some of the controversy arises through the uneven application of standards: communities run by and for gay teenagers are more apt to be classified as obscene for their frank sexual talk than a comparable forum run by and for their straight peers.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obscene talk" intentionally to depict character flaws or to highlight the harsh realities of a situation. Avoid gratuitous use, which can come across as lazy writing.

Common error

Don't overuse "obscene talk" in formal writing. While it can effectively convey strong emotions or character traits, excessive use can undermine your credibility and distract the reader from your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscene talk" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "obscene" modifies the noun "talk". It describes the nature or quality of the conversation or speech. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obscene talk" is a noun phrase used to describe vulgar or offensive language. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable. While its frequency is relatively low, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. To avoid misuse, it's important to consider the audience and context, using it sparingly to add emphasis or realism, rather than gratuitously. Alternatives like "vulgar language" or "offensive language" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulgar language

Focuses on the quality of the language itself, emphasizing its crudeness.

foul language

Emphasizes the unpleasant or offensive nature of the language.

offensive language

Highlights the potential of the language to cause offense.

indecent speech

Replaces "talk" with a more formal synonym, "speech", emphasizing the lack of propriety.

crude remarks

Shifts the focus to specific statements, emphasizing their rudeness.

profane language

Highlights the irreverent and blasphemous nature of the language.

dirty language

Conveys the vulgarity and inappropriateness of the language.

blasphemous discourse

Replaces "talk" with a more formal synonym, "discourse", while highlighting religious irreverence.

lewd conversation

Emphasizes the sexually suggestive and inappropriate nature of the conversation.

explicit language

Highlights the explicitness and potentially graphic nature of the language.

FAQs

What does "obscene talk" mean?

"Obscene talk" refers to language that is considered vulgar, offensive, or morally repugnant. It often includes profanity, explicit sexual references, or expressions intended to shock or offend.

What are some synonyms for "obscene talk"?

Alternatives to "obscene talk" include "vulgar language", "foul language", or "offensive language". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "obscene talk" in a sentence?

You might say, "The play was criticized for its reliance on obscene talk to shock the audience," or "His constant obscene talk made others uncomfortable."

When is it appropriate to use "obscene talk" in writing?

Using "obscene talk" is generally appropriate when depicting realistic dialogue for characters who would naturally use such language, or when analyzing the use of such language in media or culture. However, avoid it in formal or professional contexts where it could be seen as unprofessional or offensive.