Philosophically speaking, if one were to create a curse word, it would sort of have to have a meaning otherwise it would make no sense. And if it has an established meaning and gains a popular following, would it still be harmless or would it have just become yet another curse word? All of the real ones have a history and an original meaning, many of which have changed meanings over time as they have gained popularity and gotten adopted by whomever what was in need of a slur.
“Slugger” is the worst curse word in the history of ever imo. It is never explained and it is not used in a specific context as to have an established meaning. No stories about how say roving gangs of baseball players terrorized the countryside as to give rise to such a strange exclamation. Perhaps it would have made more sense if it had existed in a world devoid of death through violence, where the bad guys would instead be forced to do the batusi as part of their rehabilitation program, but as it stands I feel it cheapened those games and broke the immersion when they showed up.
So really, what reason is there to use a self invented curse word? If it’s to avoid censors or keeping it kiddy friendly, there are already softer versions of most curse words already established in society which need no explanation and won’t break immersion unless you’re playing a biker or a pirate or any character established to be “tough” essentially, and even if exceptions could be made for that story-wise, they would still exist within an established culture which would come with its own expectations.
One valid reason would be immersion, a word with an established origin that came into existence because of certain things existing in that world that doesn’t exist here, or to highlight a difference in culture, i.e. not slugger. =P However such words will often be compared to real life examples in either case and some will no doubt draw uncomfortable parallels.
So my point being, is there really a point to it all if on the one hand it has a meaning it might still awake negative emotions in some, and on the other if it doesn’t have a meaning it will just end up being a nuisance and a distraction (to some)? You need to ask yourself, who are you trying to please really? Do people who can’t stand to read a swear word have a desire to see fake swears? Wouldn’t they be better served with no implied swears at all? And the people who wouldn’t mind, what are they left with? Seems a poor compromise all in all, but then again I am against any and all forms of censorship, yet I will admit I too cringe when hearing a child swear. Anyways not trying to stifle anyone’s creativity or anything, just thought it was an interesting conundrum this whole faux swear thing. =)