Raven said:
Does bastard count as a swear word, or are we all too grown up to do that?
Debatable. "Bastard" has a non-vulgar meaning (a child born out of wedlock). However, this usage of the word does not reflect that meaning. It is certainly perjorative, but vulgar? I don't know.
I refer to the George Carlin's well-known list of seven words you can't say on television:
Shit, fuck, piss, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits.
Nope, bastard isn't there. In my opinion, it doesn't count. But that's just my opinion.
P.S. to newbies: It's not really "great musician". There are a few words you can't say on this forum, either. Cunt is one of them.
P.P.S. to admins: I liked it better when the substitution for the forbidden word came out in all caps i.e. "GREAT MUSICIAN". For one thing, it confirmed that you were seeing a substitution for the forbidden word. Secondly, ALL-CAPS IS ACTUALLY FUNNY SOMETIMES.
P.P.P.S. to everyone: But only sometimes. Don't try this at home.