Where do swear words come from?

Answer 1

I can't remember all 6, but there are different categories of "offensive" words such as genitalia, religion, bodily functions... and three others that have momentarily slipped my mind, and these are represented in all languages. Some will be completely inoffensive in some languages, yet really unspeakable in others. Take for example our "C-word", which is an example of female genitalia. We have plenty of words for the same organ that are inoffensive (or only mildly so). Other languages may have no offensive words for the vagina.

Anyway, back on track, why they become taboo. All words start out as acceptable. Chaucer used the "C-word" because it was perfectly acceptable back then. As time went on, people became embarrassed by the idea of their vaginas and felt that they needed to euphemise them (ie. find a nicer way of putting it). So the "c-word" falls into a list of "bad words", while other words fall into the list of "acceptable words". In polite society we'd probably only be happy with vagina, but there are other euphemisms floating round, such as triangle, china, *****... the list is endless. As we've developed into a society of pedants (whether we'll admit it or not), we've been taught by our parents not to say the "bad words", which makes them taboo and therefore fun.

In short, there's absolutely nothing wrong with swear words, they've just moved out of fashion.

PS Sorry to waffle, I love my words.

ETA the starred word was meant to be p.ussy. And there was me trying to avoid using words it might think were dodgy.

ETA again - beware the false etymologies - "Fornication Under the Consent of the King" is a myth! Most acronyms are.

Answer 2

That depends on the word, one of the most popular (the F word) is rumoured to come from an acronym of the way the police used to describe the act itself (ladies of the night were prosecuted for unlawful carnal knowledge), many come from terms that were once not swear but had legitimate meanings, for instance there are 2 well known b words that mean, an illegitimate child, and sex in the wrong orifice.

Each word has it's own origin, and there are many books written on the subject, you might be interested to check one out in your local library. I hope this makes sense as I wanted to make sure there was nothing offencive on here, if you would like to ask me more you can contact me through my profile

Answer 3

Some of these became crude by way of being spoken by the common folk. In 1066, the Norman French invaded England, bringing a latin derived language with them. In the government, this French was used (bringing to English the words plaintiff, defendant, bailiff, sheriff, etc.) In the countryside, people continued to use the Germanic derived language brought by the Anglo/Saxon tribes. So for example, the educated and powerful Normans used 'faeces' to describe excrement, while the commoners said 'shiten'. The upper crust thought the terms sounded crude and vulgar and people that used them were considered the same

Answer 4

I know the origin of the most common.....

In Medieval times when "Prima Noctra" was in force (basically the lord of the Manor had rights to sleep with the bride on her wedding night before the husband) you needed a special mandate to make babies. The notice was entitled
"Fornicating Under with Consent of the King".

I am sure you can work the word out :)

Answer 5

Good question i mean at the end of the day they are only words.... who decided that they were "bad" words

Maybe someone just didnt like them :S

Answer 6

The same place where you used the words to ask this question!

Answer 7

Most of them from ye Olde Englishe!

Answer 8

Usually young kids on street corners!

Answer 9

alot come from the bible others like the f word came from old medival slang

Answer 10

originally from spain but moved to the uk in 1875.