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Who thought of 'swear words'?
Who, one day, decided that words like f*ck and sh*t would be concidered rude and naughty words?
How is bi*ch any different from hello? [apart from obvious spelling differences].
And why are some 'swear words' concidered worse than others? For example, saying f*ck would be worse than saying a**. But why?

2007-09-08 11:01:49 · 3 answers · asked by Penguin Pip 2 in Education & Reference Words & Wordplay

3 answers

swear words.... a.k.a. curse words are deemed bad because 'back in the day'..... probably 1700-1800 kinda times, the words were believed to be cursed, so saying these words were really bad =P

but modern day society has decided which words are worse than others.

2007-09-09 08:30:43 · answer #1 · answered by Cash 2 · 0 0

Most researchers agree that swearing came from early forms of word magic. Studies of modern, non-literate cultures suggest that swearwords came from the belief that spoken words have power. Some cultures, especially ones that have not developed a written language, believe that spoken words can curse or bless people or can otherwise affect the world. This leads to the idea that some words are either very good or very bad.

2007-09-08 18:50:16 · answer #2 · answered by LaTrice B 4 · 2 1

In most societies 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 MAYbe because speaking it wrongly or carelessly is thought to cause something bad to happen, esp. to stir up supernatural forces to do something. But not necessarily. It may simply be that there will be strong SOCIAL consequences of misusing the language.

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.


"Word-Magic"? probably NOT

As already noted, in SOME cultures there is 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 the idea that this "magical" notion is the universal explanation for curse and swear words is very questionable. In MANY cases such language may is more a "SOCIAL-LEGAL" thing. That is, when one speaks these words in public,esp. in a formally recognized way, people in that society consider it a legally binding statement.

In other words, the words really "do something", NOT because of some magic power in the sound of the words themselves, but because the society has recognized this use.

We may not often think of such language (and also sometimes symbolic actions) in modern English but we still use it, e.g., in courtrooms, in religious ceremonies such as weddings -- "With this ring, I thee wed." "We find the defendant 'not guilty'". "By the power vested in me, I declare. . . . " (not to mention oaths to tell the truth)

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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. 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.

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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 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 it is the 'swear words' themselves are regarded as expressing a negative or low view of sex.

(This last point, by the way, helps explains why vulgar terms related to sexual activity -- considered as something special and worthy or respect-- are considered worse that those related to defecation, for example. Also, when these terms are used in a way that appears to wish sexual violation/mistreatment on another -- as the f-word does-- it is not surprising these would be thought especially offensive.)

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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.

So, as people often say, 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').

2007-09-09 16:57:31 · answer #3 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 2 4

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