What does it mean to take the Name of GOD in vain? Is it just swearing and cussing? Or is there something more to it than that, and if there is, what?

Swearing and cussing are definitely involved here, but this commandment goes further than just that; it not only deals with our outward words but our inward thoughts [~Matthew 12:34]. Many of us, Christians...Prayer Warriors, would never give sanction  to the idea of swearing ourselves when we, for instance hit our fingers instead of the nailhead when using a hammer; but how many would exclaim "Oh, G...., Oh G...!"  Or "J...!"  Or "J.... C...!" when something horrific happens? This, too, is taking GOD's Name in vain.

Or how many 'Christians' tell someone a 'little' lie? Or get angry at another because they did something wrong?  Yet JESUS has told us to: "Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you." [~Luke 6:27,28]. 

Being a Christian is more than just wearing the name of CHRIST. 1 John 2: 6 says: "Those who say they're Christians, need to walk even as CHRIST walked." [~a paraphrase]. When a person wears the name Christian but doesn't act or speak like CHRIST, they are breaking the third commandment by taking GOD's Name in vain as well.

Another meaning for this verse includes what  is called "slang cussing" [~Colossians 3:8], but unfortunately many professing Christians come in this bracket.

The following 'words' are euphemisms, or substitutions, that are less direct or expressive than the real words or terms, according to Webster's New World dictionary:

*Gee...a slang term for JESUS' name.
*Geez...a slang term for JESUS' name.
*Golly...a slang term for GOD.
*Gosh...a slang term for GOD.
*Go-darn...a slang curse about GOD doing something nasty.
*Holy Toledo...a slang term about holiness.
*Darn...a slang term for damn, a curse word.  This word, in effect is calling GOD to take ones own side and condemning  another.  Whenever a 'professing' Christian uses  "dag-nabit" or "gosh-darn" or even "dar-nation," each of these is a slang swear word.
*Holy cow...this is making light of GOD's character - holiness is an attribute of GOD.

To use any of these substitutions for our heavenly Father's or JESUS' Name and/or character is the same as using it outright [~Colossians 4:6].  Beware of also telling jokes that use the person of GOD as a character within the joke. While it may not directly attack or mock Him, it is using Him in a light manner [~Ephesians 5:4].