Are swear words slang?

Question

I know that a lot of people curse, and I do myself. But are swear words considered slang? I think it is, but I'm not sure if it's "officially" slang. Some guy says the words that replace them, ie; "darn, shoot," are slang. I think they all are. Truth?

Answer 1

maybe.
on a very informal level, yes.

Answer 2

Historically yes all swear words are slang - all have meanings that can be traced back - the f-word for example comes from I can't remember the exact King but it was a proclamation stating - Fornication Under Command of the King - basically to improve declining birth rates - the people of the time took the first letters of Fornication Under Command King - spelling you guessed it and the word was born - the king wanted them to !*@% basically to get more babies! - that's where the first meaning of that particular word came from.

Answer 3

I'm guessing that swear words are slang. I define slang words as contemporary words that are most likely not found in the dictionary. For example: the word *bish* (hope you know what I mean). In the dictionary, it defines that word as a female dog. I'm guessing over time people have taken that word and used it as an offensive word. So there you go.

Answer 4

Well... the f-word is just a group of letters but everyone takes it seriously. As mentioned earlier, the b-word is a female dog, so its just a contemporary view of things. F-a-g and f-a-g-g-o-t came from Britain as people who act like a popular persons "wanna-be" Like the annoying person who follows you around. Shining your shoes when you want them to.

Answer 5

yes those words would most definatly be considered as slang and not cussing.

Answer 6

No. Just varying degrees of non physical retaliation.