where did all of these "swear words" come from?

Answer 1

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.

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.

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.


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. This sort of language is a THIRD group, 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 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, very SPECIAL 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. (It may even become so common it ceases to offend, esp. if its origins are forgotten.)

So, as folks often note, what is "profane" or "swearing" IS defined by society. But then again 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 2

They weren't invented, per say, they were regular words that had vulgar meanings that over time evolved into words that people thought were inappropriate.

Answer 3

My guess is Anglo-Saxon from the turn of the last millennium.

Answer 4

ebonics!!! from the streeets , mostly the gutters