Where do swear words come from?

Answer 1

In the English language, it may be a delayed reaction to the prudery of the English people up to about the middle of the 20th century, when any mention of sex or excretory functions was frowned upon. In the 19th century, people took religion much more seriously, in particular, the Commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord in vain." (or something like that), so that expletives such as "God !" "Jesus !" or "Christ !" were considered shocking. This is how replacement expletives such as: "Gosh !" "Jeepers !" and "Crikey !" arose. It's a bit like the way some people say, "Sugar !" or "Fudge !" nowadays.

Some languages, such as English, Catalan and Russian, seem to be particularly rich in swearwords; others have very few. I'm not sure why. Perhaps a psychologist could answer that. I spent ten months in Mali in the 1960s, where the local language was Bambara, and only came across two swearwords: "Fa foro !" and "Ba biè !" meaning "(a curse on your) father's penis !" and "(a curse on your) mother's vagina !"
[fa = father; foro = penis; ba = mother; biè = vagina] Among the Bambara (as in most Third World cultures), one is expected to show respect to one's parents. It is therefore particularly shocking to curse someone else's parents.

Answer 2

Some are acronyms like Forced UnCarnal Knowledge and some are actual words to describe some animal A S S, B!tch, but it is how and when they are used is what makes them swear words.

Answer 3

Peoples inability to make full use of the English language without getting their knickers in a knot and proclaiming certain words as unacceptable.

Answer 4

I remember being told they were words that were banned from the dictionary. I cant remember why, or if its even true.

Answer 5

History and Ethnicity Progression .

Answer 6

The word F.U.C.K. come from the stocks in market squares you were put there

For
Unlawful
Carnal
Knowledge

Wow I never thought I would use that one off those stupid things you learn at school.

Answer 7

naughty peoples mouths i believe

Answer 8

I assume you're referring to "four-letter words", and how they came to be socially unacceptable. The term you chose --"swear words"-- helps to explain that. Understanding how that term relates to others to describe. (Interesting thing is, most of these words loosely called "swear words" or "curse words" are NOT words used for "swearing" or "cursing" in the proper, narrow sense of "swear" and "curse". But there IS a logic to it.)

In most lanaguages there is certain language that is to be used with the utmost care, if at all.

Sociologists sometimes use the expression "taboo words" to express the idea that this is language that one is not allowed to use, or only to use within carefully circumscribed circumstances. Sometimes it includes the idea that the language is "dangerous". This may be because speaking it wrongly or carelessly is thought to cause something bad to happen, esp. to stir up supernatural forces to do something. Or it may simply be that there will be strong SOCIAL consequences of misusing the language. Or both.

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At any rate, this special "strong language" may be of various sorts and sources, but it may 'fall together' at times. That's a bit of what has happened with "swear words" in English.

One good starting place is to note two groups of words/types of language, that may be closely related:
a) "swear words" --used to take an oath -- such as "[I swear] in God's name"
b) "curse words" -- used IN a curse, to call down judgment on one's self --as when TAKING an oath --or on others.

In some cultures there a sense that these words are almost magical, that they have power in and of themselves to cause things to happen. Others believe that God, or other divine powers, listen and respond. But in many cases it may be primarily a SOCIAL-LEGAL thing. That is, when one speaks these words in public,esp. in a formally recognized way, it is considered a binding act, that is a legally-binding act, in that society.

So we start with one set of words that is sacred and POSITIVE (e.g. God's name), and another that is very negative (describing the curse). . . all of which are used to make a very STRONG statement (declaration or promise). And note that many of these are solemn and "sacred" terms that are NOT considered wrong to use in themselves, but which it is considered very wrong to MIS-use, including by using the language LIGHTLY or disrespectfully.

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These features of the language help explain how 'four-letter words' came to be included and called 'swear words', though this is, strictly speaking, inaccurate, since they are NOT used to swear an oath. Note that this sort of language is often called VULGARITY or PROFANITY.

The idea is something like this. To profane is to misuse something considered sacred or special... dishonoring something that is supposed to be honored. "Profanity" refers to language that --at least in certain contexts-- dishonors, treat lightly or as "profane" --that is common or 'vulgar'-- things that are supposed to be honored as sacred.

Note that THIS language is not necessarily considered wrong in ALL contexts (though the view of that depends on the society or social group one belongs to). But to use "profane" language when talking about something that is supposed to be honored is very much frowned on.

In more recent times, certain 'common' ways of speaking about 'private' bodily functions -- mainly 'elimination of waste' [defecation, urination] and sexual acts -- have fallen into this category of "profanity". . . and so loosely called "swear words" or "curse words". They are considered at best 'impolite' ways of speaking.

Note that this does NOT mean the thing spoken about is necessarily considered a negative thing in itself. In fact, the idea of 'profanity' is simply that it is to spoken of with care and RESPECT, because it is private and/or it is considered very GOOD and worthy of respect. That, in fact, is the case for words related to sexual acts. In short, four-letter words concerning sex are NOT necessarily considered 'dirty', 'vulgar', 'swear words', etc. because the acts themselves are thought of in this way. It may be precisely the opposite -- that these are considered as things that are as GOOD in their proper place, and SPECIAL, and so to be spoken of with care and respect. Thus the 'swear words' themselves are the ones that are regarded as expressing a negative or low view of sex.

DO note that one typical use of such language IS precisely to express very strong NEGATIVE emotions or attitudes --anger/outrage, disgust, etc., -- and esp. in a way that is INTENDED to strongly offend or at least to shock or underline how strongly the speaker feels. That is, people do use the language precisely BECAUSE it is considered offensive or "taboo".

Eventually such language may simply be used to express great surprise, or even simply to 'strengthen' or intensify a statement, without necessarily intending to offend.


Now some dismiss the whole question, by saying something like 'what is "profane" or "swearing" is defined by society' -- well so is the meaning of ALL language, since it's something we use to communicate with others! So to say it's 'just what society thinks' is silly. In fact, people generally choose the words they use precisely BECAUSE the words are understood in a particular way by other people in society... and that includes not just the bare meanings of the words ('denotation') but all the 'overtones' of attitude toward the things mentioned and toward the hearers ('connotation').

Answer 9

F*** knows

Answer 10

hell if I know