“What the heck” and “freakin” are considered profanity now? Really?? “
I don’t consider them to be profanity – BUT – they clearly stand for words that ARE considered to be profanity (and sound very similar to those words), or if not actual profanity, vulgarity at the least. 50 years ago, kids would not have been able to say “freakin,” without an adult wanting to wash their mouths out with soap. The fact that it is in such common usage by otherwise respectful people, shows how desensitized and accepting we have become to ALL manner of foul language.