Profanity is often depicted in images bygrawlixes, which substitute symbols for words.
Profanity, also known asswearing,cursing, orcussing, is the usage of notionallyoffensive words for a variety of purposes, including to demonstrate disrespect or negativity, to relieve pain, to express a strong emotion (such asanger, excitement, or surprise), as a grammaticalintensifier or emphasis, or to express informality or conversational intimacy. In many formal or polite social situations, it is considered impolite (a violation ofsocial norms), and in some religious groups it is considered asin.[1] Profanity includesslurs, but most profanities are not slurs, and there are many insults that do not use swear words.
Swear words can be discussed or even sometimes used for the same purpose without causing offense or being considered impolite if they are obscured (e.g. "fuck" becomes "f***" or "the f-word") or substituted with aminced oath like "flip".
Etymology and definitions
Profanity may be described as offensive language, dirty words, or taboo words, among other descriptors.[2] The termprofane originates from classicalLatinprofanus, literally'before (outside) the temple',pro meaning'outside' andfanum meaning'temple, sanctuary'.[3][4][better source needed] This further developed inMiddle English with the meaningto desecrate a temple.[5] In English,swearing is a catch-all linguistic term for the use of profanities, even if it does not involve taking anoath.[6] The only other languages that use the same term for both profanities and oaths are French (jurer), Canadian French (sacrer), and Swedish (svära).[7]
English usescursing in a similar manner toswearing, especially in the United States. Cursing originally referred specifically to the use of language to cast a curse on someone,[8] and in American English it is still commonly associated with wishing harm on another.[9] Equivalents tocursing are used similarly in Danish (bande), Italian (imprecare), and Norwegian (banne).[10] The termsswearing andcursing have strong associations with the use of profanity in anger.[11] Various efforts have been made to classify different types of profanity, but there is no widely accepted typology and terms are used interchangeably.[12]
Blasphemy andobscenity are used similarly toprofanity, thoughblasphemy has retained its religious connotation.[5]Expletive is another English term for the use of profanity, derived from its original meaning of adding words to change a sentence's length without changing its meaning.[13] The use ofexpletive sometimes refers specifically to profanity as aninterjection.[14][15]Epithet is used to describe profanities directed at a specific person.[16] Some languages do not have a general term for the use of profanities, instead describing it with the phrase "using bad language". These include Mandarin (zang hua), Portuguese (palavrão), Spanish (decir palabrotas), and Turkish (küfur etmek).[10] Colloquial English terms includepotty-mouth, defined by theOED as "A tendency to be foul-mouthed; (also) a foul-mouthed person".[17]
History and study
Historical profanity is difficult to reconstruct, as written records may not reflect spoken language.[18] Despite being relatively well known compared to other linguistic mechanisms,[19] profanity has historically been understudied because of its taboo nature.[20] Profanity may be studied as an aspect of linguistics and sociology, or it can be a psychological and neurological subject.[21] Besides interpersonal communication, understanding of profanity has legal implications and is related to theories of language learning.[22][19]
In modern European languages, swearing developed from early Christianity, primarily through restrictions ontaking God's name in vain in theOld Testament.[23] Invocations of God were seen as attempts to call upon his power, willing something to be true or leveling a curse.[24] Other mentions of God were seen as placing oneself over him, with the person uttering a name implying power over the name's owner.[25]
Modern study of profanity as its own subject of inquiry had started by 1901.[2]Sigmund Freud influenced study of the topic by positing that swearing reflects the subconscious, including feelings of aggression,antisocial inclinations, and the broaching of taboos.[26] Significant activity began in the 1960s with writings on the subject byAshley Montagu andEdward Sagarin, followed by increased study the following decade.[21] Specific types of discriminatory profanity, such as ethnophaulism and homophobia, came to be described as part of a broader type of profanity,hate speech, toward the end of the 20th century.[27] Another increase in the study of profanity took place with the onset of the 21st century.[20]
Subjects
Profanities have literal meanings, but they are invoked to indicate a state of mind, making them dependent almost entirely onconnotation and emotional associations with the word, as opposed to literaldenotation.[28][29] The connotative function of profanity allows the denotative meaning to shift more easily,[30] causing the word to shift until its meaning is unrelated to its origin or to lose meaning and impact altogether.[31]
Literal meanings in modern profanity typically relate to religion, sex, or the human body, which creates a dichotomy between the use ofhighbrow religious swears and lowbrow anatomical swears.[32][33] Languages and cultures place different emphasis on the subjects of profanity. Anatomical profanity is common in Polish, for example, while swearing in Dutch is more commonly in reference to disease.[34] Words for excrement and for the buttocks have profane variants across most cultures.[35] Though religious swears were historically more severe, modern society across much of the world has come to see sexual and anatomical swears to be more vulgar.[32][36] Common profane phrases sometimes incorporate more than one category of profanity for increased effect. The Spanish phraseme cago en Dios y en la Puta Virgen (transl. I shit on God and on the prostitute Virgin) invokes scatological, religious, and sexual profanity.[37] Other swear words do not refer to any subject, such as the English wordbloody when used in its profane sense.[38]
Not all taboo words are used in swearing, with many only being used in a literal sense.[39] Clinical or academic terminology for bodily functions and sexual activity are distinct from profanity. This includes words such asexcrement andcopulate in English, which are not typically invoked as swears.[39] Academics who study profanity disagree on whether literal use of a vulgar word can constitute a swear word.[40] Conversely, words with greater connotative senses are not always used profanely.Bastard andson of a bitch are more readily used as general terms of abuse in English compared toterrorist andrapist, despite the latter two being terms being associated with strongly immoral behavior.[41]
Some profane phrases are used metaphorically in a way that still retains elements of the original meaning, such as the English phrasesall hell broke loose orshit happens, which carry the negative associations ofhell andshit as undesirable places and things.[42] Others are nonsensical when interpreted literally, liketake a flying fuck in English as well asputain de merde (whore of shit) in French andporca Madonna (the sow of Madonna) in Italian.[43]
Religion
A woman exclaiming "Oh My God!" before adirtbike crashGraffiti on a mailbox in Quebec readingPas de publicité tabarnak, meaning "noadvertising mail" and using thesacre "tabarnak" (tabernacle)
A distinction is sometimes made between religious profanity, which is casual, versus blasphemy, which is intentionally leveled against a religious concept.[44] It was commonly believed among early civilizations that speaking about certain things can invoke them or bring about curses.[24] Many cultures have taboos about speaking the names of evil creatures such asSatan because of these historical fears.[23]
Religions commonly develop derogatory words for those who are not among their members. Medieval Christianity developed terms likeheathen andinfidel to describe outsiders.[45]Secularization in theWestern world has seen exclamations such asGod! divorced from their religious connotations.[46] Religious profanity is not inherent to all languages, being absent from Japanese,indigenous languages of the Americas, and mostPolynesian languages.[47]
European languages historically used thecrucifixion of Jesus as a focal point for profane interjections. Phrases meaning "death of God" were used in languages like English ('Sdeath), French (Mort de Dieu), and Swedish (Guds död)[48] Christian profanity encompasses both appeals to the divine, such as God or heaven, and to the diabolic, such as the Devil or hell. While the impact of religious swearing has declined in the Christian world, diabolic swearing remains profane in Germany and theNordic countries. Islamic profanity lacks a diabolic element, referring only to divine concepts like Muhammad or holy places.[49]
Words related to Catholicism, known assacres, are used inQuebec French profanity, and are considered to be stronger than other profane words in French. Examples ofsacres considered profane in Quebec aretabarnak (tabernacle),hostie (host), andsacrament (sacrament). When used as profanities,sacres are often interchangeable.[50]
TheBook of Leviticus indicates that blasphemous language warrants death, while theGospel of Matthew implies condemnation of all swearing, though only theQuakers have imposed such a ban.[51]Islam,Judaism, andBrahmanism forbid mention of God's name entirely.[52] In some countries, profanity words often havepagan roots that after Christian influence were turned from names of deities and spirits to profanity and used as such, likeperkele in Finnish, which was believed to be an original name of the thunder godUkko, the chief god of theFinnish pagan pantheon.[53][54][55][56]
Anatomy and sexuality
The phrase "get fucked" spoken by an American
Profanity related to sexual activity, including insults related to genitals, exists across cultures.[57] The specific aspects invoked are sensitive to a given culture, with differences in how much they emphasize ideas like incest or adultery.[58] Certain types of sex acts, such as oral sex, anal sex, or masturbation, may receive particular attention.[59] Verbs describing sexual activity are frequently profane, likefuck in English,foutre in French,fottere in Italian,jodido in Spanish, andебать (yebatˈ) in Russian.[60] Words describing a person as one who masturbates are often used as terms of abuse, such as the English use ofjerk-off andwanker.[61][59] Terms for sexually promiscuous women can be used as profanity, such English terms likehussy andslut.[62] Reference to prostitution brings its own set of profanities. Many profane words exist to refer to a prostitute, such aswhore in English,putain in French,puttana in Italian,kurwa in Polish,блять (blyat') in Russian, andputa in Spanish.[63] Some languages, including German and Swedish, do not see significant use of sexual terms as profanity.[60]
Profanities for the penis and vulva are often used as interjections. Penile interjections are often used in Italian (cazzo), Russian (хуй,khuy), and Spanish (carajo). Vulvar interjections are often used in Dutch (kut), Hungarian (picsa), Russian (пизда,pizda), Spanish (coño), and Swedish (fitta).[64] Such terms, especially those relating to the vulva, may also be used as terms of abuse.[65] Profanities related to testicles are less common and their function varies across languages. They may be used as interjections, such as in English (balls orbollocks), Italian (coglione), and Spanish (cojones). Danish uses testicles as a term of abuse withklotzaak.[60]
Words for the buttocks are used as a term of disapproval in many languages, including English (ass orarse), French (cul), Polish (dupa), Russian (жопа,zhopa), and Spanish (culo). Similar words for the anus appear in languages like Danish (røvhul), English (asshole orarsehole), German (Arschloch), Icelandic (rassgat), Norwegian (rasshøl), and Polish (dupek).[64] Excrement and related concepts are commonly invoked in profanity.[49] European examples includeshit in English,merde in French,Scheiße in German, andstronzo in Italian.[66] An example in an East Asian language would beくそ (kuso) in Japanese.[67]
Profane phrases directed at the listener's mother exist across numerous major languages, though it is absent from Germanic languages with the exception of English. These phrases often include terms of abuse that implicate the subject's mother, such asson of a bitch in English orwáng bā dàn (transl. child of a cuckolded man) in Mandarin.[59] Russian profanity places heavy emphasis on the sexual conduct of the listener's female relatives, either by describing sexual activity involving them or suggesting that the listener engage in activities with them.[10]Aboriginal Australian languages sometimes invoke one's deceased ancestors in profanity.[48]
The names of political ideologies are sometimes invoked as swear words by their opponents.Fascist iscommonly used as an epithet in the modern era, replacing historical use ofradical.[70] Far-left groups and anti-capitalist have historically used words likecapitalist andimperialist as terms of abuse, while anti-communist speakers usecommunist inthe same manner.[71] The use of political terms in a profane sense often leads to the term becoming less impactful or losing relevance as a political descriptor entirely.[72]
Words for animals can be used as terms of abuse despite not being inherently profane, commonly referencing some attribute of the animal. Examples in English includebitch to demean a woman orlouse to describe someone unwanted.[73] They may also be used in interjections like the Italianporco dio (transl. pig of a God).[48] Animal-related profanity is distinct from other forms in that it is used similarly across different languages.[74] Terms for dogs are among the most common animal swears across languages, alongside those for cows, donkeys, and pigs.[75] Swear words related to monkeys are common in Arabic and East Asian cultures.[76]
Slurs are words that target a specific demographic.[32] These are used to projectxenophobia andprejudice, often through the use ofstereotypes. They typically develop in times of increased contact of conflict between different races or ethnic groups, including times of war between two or more nations.[77] Terms for minority groups are sometimes used as swears. This can apply to both profane terms such askike or non-profane terms such asgay.[68] Many of these are culture-specific.[75] In a case of using the name of one group to demean another,Hun came to be associated with a brutish caricature of Germans, first during theRenaissance and again duringWorld War I.[78] Some terms for people of low class or status can become generically profane or derogatory. English examples includevillain,lewd, andscum.[79]
Grammar and function
Exposing the buttocks is considered profane in many cultures.
Profanity is used to indicate the speaker's emotional state,[28][80] and the negative associations of swear words mean they are often emotionally charged.[81][82] Expressions of anger and frustration are the most common reason for swearing.[14] Such expressions are associated with abusive profanity,[83] which is the most negatively charged and is specifically chosen to insult or offend the subject. This may take the form of a direct insult, such as calling the subject anasshole, or by addressing the subject profanely, such as telling someone tofuck off.[14] It can also be used to indicatecontempt.[82]Cathartic profanity is used as an expression of annoyance,[14] and it is often considered less rude than profanity directed at a specific subject.[84] Profanity can be used as a statement of agreement or disagreement, though disagreement is more common;the hell it is andmy ass are examples of English profanities that indicate disagreement.[85] The potent nature of swearing means that it can be used to gain attention,[86] including the use of profanity to cause shock.[82] In some circumstances, swearing can be used as a form of politeness, such as when a speaker gives positive reinforcement by describing something aspretty fucking good.[84]
Propositional or controlled swearing is done consciously, and speakers choose their wording and how to express it. This is more common when using descriptive swearing. Non-propositional or reflexive swearing is done involuntarily as an emotional response to excitement or displeasure.[87][68] Frequent swearing can become a habit, even if the speaker does not have a specific intention of being profane.[88]
Profanity is often used as a slot filler, which functions as amodifier,[89] and modifying a noun with a swear is commonly used to indicate dislike.[90] A profane word can modify words as an adjective, such as init's a bloody miracle, or as an adverb, such as inthey drove damn fast.[16] One type of adverbial profanity is to use it as amodal adverb, such as inno you fucking can't.[90] Compound words can be created to create a new modifier, such aspisspoor.[16] Many European languages use profanity to add emphasis to question words in the form ofwho the hell are you? or with apreposition in the form ofwhat in God's name is that?.[91] Modifier profanities are frequently used as anexpletive attributive, orintensifiers that put emphasis on specific ideas.[92] These commonly take the form of interjections to express strong emotion, such as the English examplesbloody hell andfor fuck's sake.[92] Such stand-alone profanities are among the most common in natural speech.[15]Expletive infixation is the use of a profane word as an intensifier inside of another word, such as modifyingabsolutely to becomeabso-fucking-lutely.[93] Some languages use swear words that can generically replace nouns and verbs. This is most common in Russian.[94]
Though profanity exists in nearly all cultures, there is variation in when it is used and how it affects the meaning of speech.[57] Each language has unique profane phrases influenced by culture.[34] Japanese is sometimes described as having no swear words, though it has a concept ofwarui kotoba (transl. bad words) that are not based on taboos but are otherwise functionally equivalent to swears.[95] One linguistic theory proposes thatsound symbolism influences the pronunciation of profanities. This includes the suggestion that profanities are more likely to includeplosives, but this remains unstudied, especially outside ofIndo-European languages.[96]
The use of profanity is the most common way to express taboo ideas.[22] The dichotomy between its taboo nature and its prevalence in day-to-day life is studied as the "swearing paradox".[97] It is used casually in some social settings, which can facilitate bonding and camaraderie, denote a social environment as informal, and mark the speaker as part of anin-group.[98] The way speakers use profanity in social settings allows them to project their identity and personality through communication style,[99] and in some circumstances it can be used as a method used to impress one's peers.[88] Stylistic swearing is used to add emphasis or intensity to speech,[14][100] which can be used to emphasize an idea in an aggressive or authoritative fashion, make an idea memorable, or produce a comedic effect.[98]
Profanity often presents asformulaic language, in which specific words can only be used in specific phrases, often developed throughgrammaticalization.[101] Many of these phrases allow words to be swapped, presenting variations on a phrase likewhat in the bloody heck,why in the flamin' hell, andhow in the fuckin' hell.[102] Profane phrases can be used asanaphoric pronouns, such as replacinghim withthe bastard intell the bastard to mind his own business.[90] They can similarly be used to support a noun instead of replacing it, such as inJohn is a boring son of a bitch.[103] Though profanity is usually associated with taboo words, obscene non-verbal acts such ashand gestures may be considered profane.Spitting in someone's direction has historically been seen as a strong insult.[104] Exposure of certain body parts, often the genitals or buttocks, is also seen as profane in many parts of the world.[105]
Thoughcursing often refers to the use of profanity in general, it can refer to more specific phrases of harm such asdamn you ora pox on you.[9] Historically, people swore by or to the ideas that they were invoking, instead of swearing at something.[106] Oaths in which the speaker swears by something, such asby God, can be used as interjections or intensifiers, typically without religious connotation. This is especially common in Arabic.[9] Self-immolating oaths, such asI'll be damned, involve speakers casting harm upon themselves.[107] These are often invoked as conditional statements based on whether something is true—I'll be damned if...[108] Profanity directed at an individual can take the form of an unfriendly suggestion. English examples includego to hell andkiss my ass.[85] Some profanities, such asyour mother!, imply taboos or swear words without using them explicitly.[109]
Whether speech is profane depends on context, because what is taboo or impolite in one environment might not be in another.[83][110][111] Swear words vary in their intensity, and speakers of a language might disagree that weaker swear words are actually profane.[112] Isolated profanities are often seen as more profane than those used in context.[97]
The identity of the speaker affects how profanity is seen, as different cultures may hold classes, sexes, age groups, and other identities to different standards.[113] Profanity is often seen as more socially acceptable when coming from men,[114] and it is commonly associated withmachismo.[115] Profanity varies in how it affects a speaker's credibility. It can be seen as unprofessional in some circumstances, but it can make an argument more persuasive in others.[86] Milder words can become more impactful in different circumstances;cheat may be more provocative in schools or gambling clubs, andinformer replacescrook as a term of abuse for a dishonest person in a criminal setting.[116] Profanity is often associated with lower class professions like soldiers andcarters.[39]
Expectancy violations theory holds that expectations about a speaker's behavior come from impressions based not only on the speaker's identity, but how the specific speaker typically communicates and the socially expected way to speak to a given listener.[117] Swearing in formal contexts is a greater violation of expectations than swearing in informal conversation.[97] Whether the profanity is spoken in public or private is also a factor in social acceptability.[118] Conversations that involve profanity are correlated with other informal manners of speech, such as slang, humor, and discussion of sexuality.[82]
Native speakers of a language can intuitively decide what language is appropriate for a given context. Those still learning a language, such as children and non-native speakers, are more likely to use profane language without realizing that it is profane.[111] Acceptable environments for profanity are learned in childhood as children find themselves chastised for swearing in some places more than others.[118] Swearing is often milder among young children, and they place more stigma on terms that are not seen as profane by adults, likefart ordork. Young children are more likely to use the mildest terms as swear words, such aspooh-pooh. Adolescents develop an understanding ofdouble meanings in terms likeballs.[118]
The severity of a swear word may decline over time as it is repeated.[119] In some cases, slurs can bereclaimed by the targeted group when they are used ironically or in a positive context, such asqueer to refer to theLGBTQ community.[120] People who speak multiple languages often have stronger emotional associations with profanity in their native languages over that of languages that they acquire later.[121] The severity of a profane term can vary betweendialects within the same language.[116] Publishers ofdictionaries must take profanity into consideration when deciding what words to include, especially when they are subject to obscenity laws.[122] They may be wary of appearing to endorse the use of profane language by its inclusion.[123]Slang dictionaries have historically been used to cover profanity in lieu of more formal dictionaries.[124]
In some cultures, there are situations where profanity is good etiquette. A tradition exists in some parts of China that a bride was expected to speak profanely to her groom's family in the days before the wedding, and oneAboriginal Australian culture uses profanity to denote class.[47]
Censorship and avoidance
Profane language is often subject to regulation in media. This icon, used byPEGI, indicates that a video game may contain "bad language".[125]
The idea of censoring taboo ideas exists in all cultures.[126] Swearing inappropriately can be punished socially, and public swearing can bring about legal consequences.[32] There is disagreement as to whetherfreedom of speech should permit all forms of profane speech, including hate speech, or if such forms of speech can be justifiably restricted.[127]Censorship is used to restrict or penalize profanity, and governments may implement laws that disallow certain acts of profanity,[128] including legal limitations on the broadcast of profanity over radio or television.[129] Broadcasting has unique considerations as to what is considered acceptable, including its presence in the home and children's access to broadcasts.[130]
Profanity may be avoided when discussing taboo subjects througheuphemisms. Euphemisms were historically used to avoid invoking the names of malevolent beings.[131] Euphemisms are commonly expressed as metaphors, such asmake love orsleep with as descriptors of sexual intercourse.[132] Euphemisms can be alternate descriptors such aswhite meat instead ofbreast meat, or they may be generic terms such asunmentionables.[133]Minced oaths are euphemisms that modify swear words until they are no longer profane, such asdarn instead ofdamn in English.[134]
Substitution is another form of euphemism, with English examples including the replacement offuck withthe f-word oreffing and the use of "four-letter words" to refer to profanity in general.[135] Chinese and some Southeast Asian languages usepuns and sound-alikes to create alternate swear words. The Chinese word for bird,niao, rhymes with the Chinese word for penis and is frequently invoked as a swear.[76] TheCockney dialect of English usesrhyming slang to alter terms, including profanity;titty is rhymed asBristol city, which is then abbreviated asbristols.[136]
Speakers and authors may engage inself-censorship under legal or social pressure.[128] In the 21st century, censorship through social pressure is associated withpolitical correctness in Western society.[137][138] This has led to the intentional creation of new euphemisms to avoid terms that may be stigmatizing. Some become widely accepted, such assubstance abuse fordrug addiction, while others are ignored or derided, such asdifferently abled fordisabled.[139]
Physiology and neurology
The brain processes profanity differently than it processes other forms of language.[140] Intentional controlled swearing is associated with the brain'sleft hemisphere, while reflexive swearing is associated with theright hemisphere.[68] Swearing is associated with both language-processing parts of the brain, the leftfrontal andtemporal lobes, as well as the emotion-processing parts, the rightcerebrum and theamygdala.[84] The association of emotional swearing with the amygdala and other parts of thelimbic system suggests that some uses of profanity are related to thefight-or-flight response.[140]
Profanity requires more mental processing than other forms of language, and the use of profanity is easier to remember when recalling a conversation or other speech.[141] Exposure to profanity leads to higher levels ofarousal,[121] and it can cause increases inheart rate andelectrodermal activity as part of a fight-or-flight response.[142][143] Swearing has also been shownto increase pain tolerance, especially among people who do not regularly swear.[144]
Compulsive swearing is calledcoprolalia, and it is associated with neurological conditions such asTourette syndrome,dementia, andepilepsy.[114] The ability to use profanity can remain intact even when neurological trauma causesaphasia.[140][57] Frequent swearing is more common among people with damage to the brain or other parts of thenervous system.[57] Damage to theventromedial prefrontal cortex can negatively affect one's ability to control their use of profanity and other socially inappropriate behaviors. Damage toBroca's area and other language-processing regions of the brain can similarly make people prone to outbursts. Damage to the right hemisphere limits the ability to understand and regulate the emotional content of one's speech.[114]
Legality
Australia
In every Australian state and territory it is a crime to use offensive, indecent or insulting language in or near a public place.[145] These offences are classed assummary offences. This means that they are usually tried before a local or magistrates court. Police also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to alleged offenders.[146] It is a defence in some Australian jurisdictions to have "a reasonable excuse" to conduct oneself in the manner alleged.[147]
Brazil
In Brazil, thePenal Code does not contain any penalties for profanity in public immediately. However, direct offenses against one can be considered acrime against honor, with a penalty of imprisonment of one to three months or a fine.[148] The analysis of the offence is considered "subjective", depending on the context of the discussion and the relationship between the parts.[149]
Canada
Section 175 of Canada'sCriminal Code makes it a criminal offence to "cause a disturbance in or near a public place" by "swearing [...] or using insulting or obscene language". Provinces and municipalities may also have their laws against swearing in public. For instance, the Municipal Code ofToronto bars "profane or abusive language" in public parks.[150] In June 2016, a man inHalifax, Nova Scotia, was arrested for using profane language at a protest againstBill C-51.[151]
India
Sections 294A and 294B of Indian penal code have legal provisions for punishing individuals who use inappropriate or obscene words (either spoken or written) in public that are maliciously deliberate to outrage religious feelings or beliefs.[152] In February 2015, a local court in Mumbai asked police to file afirst information report against 14 Bollywood celebrities who were part of the stage show ofAll India Bakchod, a controversial comedy stage show known for vulgar and profanity based content.[153] In May 2019 during the election campaign, Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi listed out the abusive words the opposition Congress party had used against him and his mother during their campaign.[154]
In January 2016, a Mumbai-based communications agency initiated a campaign against profanity and abusive language called "Gaali free India" (gaali is theHindi word for profanity).[155] Using creative ads, it called upon people to use swachh (clean) language on the lines ofSwachh Bharat Mission for nationwide cleanliness. It further influenced other news media outlets who further raised the issue of abusive language in the society especially incest abuses against women, such as "mother fucker".[156]
In an increasing market for OTT content, several Indian web series have been using profanity and expletives to gain attention of the audiences.[157]
New Zealand
In New Zealand, theSummary Offences Act 1981 makes it illegal to use "indecent or obscene words in or within hearing of any public place". However, if the defendant has "reasonable grounds for believing that his words would not be overheard" then no offence is committed. Also, "the court shall have regard to all the circumstances pertaining at the material time, including whether the defendant had reasonable grounds for believing that the person to whom the words were addressed, or any person by whom they might be overheard, would not be offended".[158]
Pakistan
Political leaders in Pakistan have been consistently picked up for using profane, abusive language. While there is no legislation to punish abusers, the problem aggravated with abusive language being used in the parliament and even against women.[159]
The Department of Education in the Philippine city of Baguio expressed that while cursing was prohibited in schools, children were not following this prohibition at home. Thus as part of its anti profanity initiative, in November 2018, theBaguio city government in the Philippines passed an anti profanity law that prohibits cursing and profanity in areas of the city frequented by children. This move was welcomed by educators[160] and the Department of Education in Cordillera.[160][161]
Russia
Swearing in public is an administrative crime in Russia. However, law enforcement rarely targets swearing people. The punishment is a fine of 500–1000 roubles or even a 15-day imprisonment.[162]
United Kingdom
In public
Swearing, in and of itself, is not usually acriminal offence in theUnited Kingdom although in context may constitute a component of a crime. However, it may be a criminal offence inSalford Quays under apublic spaces protection order which outlaws the use of "foul and abusive language" without specifying any further component to the offence, although it appears to be unclear as to whether all and every instance of swearing is covered.Salford City Council claims that the defence of "reasonable excuse" allows all the circumstances to be taken into account.[163] InEngland and Wales, swearing in public where it is seen to causeharassment, alarm or distress may constitute an offence under section 5(1) and (6) of thePublic Order Act 1986.[164] InScotland, a similar common law offence ofbreach of the peace covers issues causing public alarm and distress.
In the workplace
In the United Kingdom, swearing in the workplace can be an act ofgross misconduct under certain circumstances. In particular, this is the case when swearing accompanies insubordination against a superior or humiliation of a subordinate employee. However, in other cases, it may not be grounds for instant dismissal.[165] According to a UK site on work etiquette, the "fact that swearing is a part of everyday life means that we need to navigate away through a day in the office without offending anyone, while still appreciating that people do swear. Of course, there are different types of swearing and, without spelling it out, you really ought to avoid the 'worst words' regardless of who you're talking to".[166] Within the UK, the appropriateness of swearing can vary largely by a person's industry of employment, though it is still not typically used in situations where employees of a higher position than oneself are present.[166]
In 2006,The Guardian reported that "36% of the 308 UK senior managers and directors having responded to a survey accepted swearing as part of workplace culture", but warned about specific inappropriate uses of swearing such as when it is discriminatory or part of bullying behaviour. The article ended with a quotation from Ben Wilmott (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development): "Employers can ensure professional language in the workplace by having a well-drafted policy on bullying and harassment that emphasises how bad language has potential to amount toharassment orbullying."[167]
Local law inVirginia Beach prohibits the use of profanity along the boardwalk of Atlantic Avenue
In the United States, courts have generally ruled that the government does not have the right to prosecute someone solely for the use of an expletive, which would be a violation of theirright to free speech enshrined in theFirst Amendment. On the other hand, they have upheld convictions of people who used profanity to incite riots, harass people, ordisturb the peace.[168] In 2011, aNorth Carolina statute that made it illegal to use "indecent or profane language" in a "loud and boisterous manner" within earshot of two or more people on any public road or highway was struck down as unconstitutional.[169] In 2015, the city ofMyrtle Beach, South Carolina passed an ordinance that makes profane language punishable with fines up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail.[170] An amount of $22,000 was collected from these fines in 2017 alone.[171]
Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar wrote inChabad.org thatJudaism forbids the use of profanity as contradicting theTorah's command to "Be holy", which revolves around the concept of separating oneself from worldly practices (including the use of vulgar language).[172] TheTalmud teaches that the words that leave the mouth make an impact on the heart and mind; he stated that the use of profanity thus causes the regression of the soul.[172] Judaism thus teaches thatshemirat halashon (guarding one's tongue) is one of the first steps to spiritual improvement.[172]
VariousChristian writers have condemned the use of "foul language" as beingsinful, a position held since the time of theearly Church.[173][1] To this end, theBible commands including "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" (Ephesians 4:29)[174] and also "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving" (Ephesians 5:4).[175] These teachings are echoed in Ecclesiasticus 20:19,[176] Ecclesiasticus 23:8-15,[177] and Ecclesiasticus 17:13-15,[178] all of which are found in theDeuterocanon/Apocrypha.[179]Jesus taught that "by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (cf. Matthew 12:36-37[180]),[181] with revilers being listed as being among the damned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.[182][183] Profanity revolving around the dictum "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain", one of theTen Commandments, is regarded asblasphemy as Christians regard it as "an affront to God's holiness".[184][185]Paul the Apostle defines the ridding of filthy language from one's lips as being evidence of living in a relationship with Jesus (cf. Colossians 3:1-10[186]).[187] TheEpistle to the Colossians teaches that controlling the tongue "is the key to gaining mastery over the whole body."[179] TheDidache 3:3 included the use of "foul language" as being part of the lifestyle that puts one on the way to eternal death.[1] The same document commands believers not to use profanity as it "breeds adultery".[173]John Chrysostom, anearly Church Father, taught that those engaged in the use of profanity should repent of the sin.[188] TheEpistle of James holds that "blessing God" is the primary function of the Christian's tongue, not speaking foul language.[179]Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, a bishop ofEastern Orthodox Church, lambasted profanity and blasphemy, teaching that it is "extremely unbefitting [for] Christians" and that believers should guard themselves from ever using it.[189]
Islam
According to Ayatullah Ibrahim Amini, the use of "bad words" isharam in Islam. Additionally, impertinence and slander are considered immoral acts.[190]
See also
Animal epithet – Name for a person or group, by association with some perceived quality of an animal
Verbal abuse – Form of abuse using verbal communication for intent to harm person and entity
Vulgarism – Expression considered non-standard, characteristic of uneducated speech or writing
Wordfilter – Script used to censor words or phrases on the internet
Notes
^abc"The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles to the Nations, known as The Didache"(PDF). Legacy Icons. 2016. p. 6. Retrieved16 February 2022.But the way of death is this. First of all, it is evil and full of curses: murder, adultery, lust, promiscuity, theft, idolatry, magical arts, witchcraft, robbery, false testimony, hypocrisy, duplicity, treachery, pride, malice, stubbornness, greed, foul language, jealousy, arrogance, pride, and boasting.
^Salo, Unto (1990).Agricola's Ukko in the light of archeology. A chronological and interpretative study of ancient Finnish religion: Old Norse and Finnish religions and cultic place-names. Turku.ISBN951-649-695-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^abcHultin, Jeremy F. (31 August 2008).The Ethics of Obscene Speech in Early Christianity and Its Environment. Brill Academic Publishers. pp. 167, 215.ISBN978-90-474-3367-5.
^Old, Hughes Oliphant (1998).The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church, Volume 2: The Patristic Age.Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 189.ISBN978-0-8028-4357-9.The city was stunned with fear when John Chrysostom entered the pulpit to prepare his congregation to enter the forty-day fast. Never was a congregation more ripe for repentance than the Christians of Antioch were at the beginning of the fast that year. The preacher lamented the sins of the city and challenged its citizens not merely to fast but to lay aside every form of sin, especially the sins of swearing and cursing. All through the twenty-one sermons John preached during the fast, this theme keeps recurring. Perhaps our preacher planned to mount a special crusade against the making of oaths, the use of foul language, and other expressions of anger during the fasting season, or maybe he had intended to challenge his congregation to rid themselves of the sins of the...
Almond, Ian (2003). "Derrida and the Secret of the Non-Secret: On Respiritualising the Profane".Literature and Theology.17 (4):457–471.doi:10.1093/litthe/17.4.457.
Jay, Timothy (1992).Cursing in America: A psycholinguistic study of dirty language in the courts, in the movies, in the schoolyards and on the streets. John Benjamins Publishing Company.ISBN978-1556194511.
Johnson, Sterling (2004)Watch Your F*cking Language
McEnery, Tony (2006)Swearing in English: bad language, purity and power from 1586 to the present,RoutledgeISBN0-415-25837-5.
McWhorter, John (2021).Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever. Avery.ISBN978-0593188798.
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