We are in the communications business. Much of the time that communication involves words. And the most powerful words in any language are the ones you’re not supposed to use – the profanities.

There are those who say that swearing is evidence of a weak mind and paltry vocabulary – unable to make a point without grabbing words from the gutter.

Well, $@%#&* them.

Swears are linguistic a-bombs that have their place. Will Ferrell’s now-legendary little web film is up around thirty seven million hits largely thanks to having a toddler spouting profanities.

But perhaps the true testament to how powerful swears can be as communication tools is how effective they can be even in their absence. Here are three examples whose humor depends on swears that you never even hear. One bleeps them out. One uses simulated swears. And the third beeps out words that weren’t swears in the first place.

All are funny as, umm… heck.