who and why decides which words are swear words?

Answer 1

It had to do more with word origins than anything else. Culture sometimes dictates which words are 'swear' words. For example the 'n' word wasn't considered a swear word 100 years ago but today it is very offensive. The reason it changed was because of our history as a nation. The word started being used a a derogatory comment about black people and after the civil rights movement it was culturally deemed a swear word. You have to look at the individual swear word to know how it came to be a swear word. Everyone will be different.

Edit: After my original post I remembered also that some swear words are actually acronyms. For example the 's' word actually stands for "Ship High In Transit". It comes from when manure was shipped via boat... dry manure lasts longer and doesn't smell as bad so they had to ship it high to keep it away from water. Manure=poop and that's how it became known as the 's' word. I believe the 'f' work is also an acronym but I'm not sure of it's origins. I believe it stands for "(something) Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" but once again I'm not completely certain about that one.

Answer 2

In a way, no words are swear words, and all words are swear words.

In general, the words that we deem as swear words are nothing more than letters put together and have been around sinece the beginning of time.

What makes them swear words is, essentially, society and public opinion.
If a word is deemed offensive or rude by definition, then it is inappropriate, in public opinion to say.
However, what takes something taboo and inappropriate to the level of swear, or curse.
When the word is consistently used in an abrasive, offensive and demeaning manner it becomes a "swear word" and is deemed inappropriate to say at any time, by public standards and opinions.

Answer 3

'They' do of course (or at least I think it started with the churches and then the Victorians or something I know that some of the words are in the dictionary!). What puzzles me is why some sites do not accept words like t*t (small bird) or A** (a donkey,) yet the spelling check on here suggested as an alternative when I misspelled something the word titting? Strange innit?

Answer 4

The degree to which a profanity is offensive is a highly subjective matter as it relies upon how the use of the word affects an individual or group of individuals. Some will consider the original meaning of a word (for example, the sexual act) as being offensive or as a subject not fit for polite conversation (sexual acts, sexual references or reference to bodily parts, or religiously sensitive subjects) whilst others will have no objection to these subject matters and therefore words used to describe them.

Answer 5

Well, some words come from other languages, which means something totally different. It's how it sounds that makes people think it's rude. But don't bother, people who start a "Swear Word" have a dirty mind to start of with.

Answer 6

They decided that swear words were nouns, and when used against people they were not actually threats, or insults, so they termed these words swearing words and suggested to never use them. Of course these people were church goers of old days.

So no, do not write them on the internet to other people.

Answer 7

I dont know but they need shot whoever they are! They are just words that express emotion, nothing more nothing less. I dont think its wrong to swear, sometimes it can make you feel a whole lot betta!

Answer 8

**** knows. Do you give a ****? It's all a pile of bollocks. probably the arseholes that edit this site! This is what makes them swearwords. They get starred out because everyone recognises them are swear words.

Answer 9

Swear words are usually just the Anglo Saxon version.

Answer 10

Our ancestors. Almost every word that is considered a swear word, but "lesser" swear words are h**l and c**p.