And why are we embarrassed and offended by them? Is it just because we're told from an early age they are wrong? However we are never told WHY they are wrong.
2006-12-20 05:44:46 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Well, they originate in the court, where you have to swear that or this. We are offended because neither the judge nor the accuser believe us, and they ask insulting questions, and they demand that we answer the way they want, not the way we want
2006-12-20 08:32:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Swears tend to have two derivations: violent or taboo actions, such as bathroom or sexual functions, as the other poster has noted, especially in Germanic languages in English; secondly, from religious terms, which tend to be a bit more Romance-language oriented. You can see some of these in Shakespear in transition - blast, damned, and other 'curses' were either asking God to intervene or swearing (in the other sense) on God or parts of God ('God's Wounds!' for instance.)
French swearing is an interesting example of a lot more blasphemy, to the point where innocent words like 'censer' become part of a string of blasphemous oaths in context.
2006-12-20 15:20:09 · answer #2 · answered by Cobalt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i'm french-canadian and our swear words are related to religion, the church, Jesus and God. why? i don't really know.....i guess it's because it was scaring people who heard these words. If you know the importance of religion, than i guess you understand why these words are qualified to be wrong and bad.
2006-12-20 13:51:16 · answer #3 · answered by domy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, some words like F*ck, come from a German derivative (which means "to strike").
Now, I like to mix my stuff up and will tell people to "go oatmeal themselves!"....just to see the look on their face.
2006-12-20 13:59:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
some come from abbreviations, slang, etc. For example: for unlawful carnal knowledge was shortened to f*ck, by a judge in the late 1800's when entering why a woman was being arrested for prostitution.
2006-12-20 13:50:52 · answer #5 · answered by Cheyenne 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
from barbarians, and evil witches
they are from foul tongues and should not be in society..
Clothe your word with kindness
2006-12-20 13:52:59 · answer #6 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋