If network TV can censor bands from using choice words during the Super Bowl, why can't I bleep out my husband when he lets the f-bomb fly?

Jack has a bad case of potty mouth that at times infuriates me. He uses four-letter words in place of adjectives and adverbs, sometimes not even realizing he's using them.

When I gently point out his infractions, he frowns at me and points out that he's an adult and he can say whatever he wants. Words are just words as far as he is concerned.

I don't want to play the role of stern task masker to help my husband curb his bad language. In Catholic school, when the teachers fined us a nickel for each time we said a bad word or didn't have our knee socks up high enough, it made me just want to do it more -- cuss that is, not wear knee socks.

It would help if Jack felt the need to clean up his act. He assures me he doesn't use curse words in totally inappropriate situations. More than that, though, he doesn't care how he comes off to the average listener.

Whereas I need to place my napkin on my lap when I eat and to dress the part for certain occasions, Jack refuses to waste time stressing about etiquette.

He is generally a polite person and would never use rude language in front of old ladies or children. But why do I have to hear it?

Growing up with a dad and two older brothers, I'm not prudish around foul language (or even smells). Sometimes the words just slip out, especially during major sporting events, but do they have to be a part of everyday vocabulary?

Jack believes profanity helps him get his point across. If he said, "Please look at this credit card bill," it would never mean the same as "Look at this *#@(U(*! credit card bill!"

It's not a subtle difference.

What he sees as colorful and powerful, I see as vulgar. It also sounds downright aggressive. It's one thing to cuss at the guy who cuts you off with his car or the pickpocket trying to take your wallet; it's a whole other thing to pepper casual conversation at home with profanity.

"Honey, have you seen my f----- shirt?" doesn't work for me.

Curse words can come in handy when we're trying to express anger or frustration or just taking a break from all the rules of society, but there has to be a line to how rude one can get. I just wish I could establish that line in my marriage.

When I got married I was warned that I can't change my man. I can modify him a bit, help him dress differently and see the world the way I do every so often. In this case, I am dealing with years of profane language and the bottom line that it works for him.

Just as I learned to ignore his aggressive driving rather than launching into a highway war of words, I am going to try my best to tune out the obscenities as best I can. At least until I find a better solution than nagging him.

But that doesn't mean I'm %(*#$#!!! happy about it!

Laura Lewis is an adventurous newlywed who has loved, lost and doesn't mind sharing. Her column appears every other Thursday.