Bloody amazing, isn't it!
I recently had to write an essay for my GCSE English controlled assessment, about language, power and how we altered it. It's probably an entire blog post - or several - of its own, because actually, from what may be the most boring assignment ever, I found some pretty cool stuff out.
Swearing is pretty taboo, but I suppose that's the point. So much so that people are prepared to use words like "frick" or "sugar-honey-ice-tea" or loudly exclaiming "mother hubbard!" (see The Amazing Spiderman) which hold exactly the same meaning - but are a slight twist on the words we hold so taboo. I have a friend that sometimes says a sentence, and asks me to fill in her swear words, which is so stupid, because she gets the same meaning across and is essentially swearing whether or not she does the speaking. Fear of a word increases...fear of a word.
But actually, it looks like swearing might be good for you. So here are a few reasons why swearing might be a great thing.
Pain/ Shock Relief
When you're little and you fall over, you might scream really loudly, or maybe even start crying. But as adults, if you scream or start crying, that is taken to mean that something is wrong. Ultra wrong. I'm dying, wrong. It's just not socially accepted that adolescents and adults show pain or vast shock in this way. But a sharp pain, or a nasty shock actually releases adrenaline, which leads to the body trying to find an outlet. Using words that are generally taboo are useful in releasing this, as it feels ever so slightly daring, subconsciously, to the people who have hurt themselves. And the stronger the swear word, the more effective. Yelling "darn" probably won't have the same effect, unless your pain threshold is incredibly high, or your language is so demure that saying "darn" to you is equivalent to most people yelling "fuck!"
Coming across as Trustworthy
It has been suggested via scientific studies, although never proven, that people who swear are more honest and trustworthy, and it's pretty certain that they come across that way. It makes a kind of sense - people who use swear words tend to be pretty unreserved when it comes to language - so it stands to reason that people would make the assumption that they are also pretty unreserved when it comes to the subject matter.
Intensifies your Language
If you're not a chain swearer, who uses the word "fuck" when asking your nephew to pass the salt, swearing can be a really useful intensifier. Yes, "really" works, but because the word "really" is more commonplace it does not have the same shocking effect."I am fucking serious!" vs "I am really serious!" It can be a really powerful way of convincing someone that you mean what you are saying.
Non-Violent Comebacks
I'm pretty sure that even the person who thinks swearing is one of the worst things a person can do, would admit that it's probably better than punching someone in the face. If someone is being physically aggressive or even violent, then calling them a "cunt" and walking away has the same kind of shock factor, with none of the assault-eyness. By swearing we prove that we are not passive victims but empowered to react and fight back. As Mark Twain said, "When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear."
Group Identity
Swearing and profanity comes across much the same as slang within cliques. A group identity can be created by chain swearers, or just by the occasional cuss word that shocks your peers, a tolerance to profanity can be pretty good at setting you apart. Studies actually show that swearing in the workplace "enhances group solidarity" and serves as a way to "relieve stress", bringing the workforce closer together.
[Bonus Jonas: Reclamation can be Powerful
Some swear words are offensive because they target and dehumanise certain groups of people. Words like "whore", "cunt" and "faggot", when used by the individuals that the words are aimed at can be incredibly powerful. However, when used by people not in the context of reclamation, it is just offensive.]
But before you bare all and enter the world, curses streaming from your lips, you may want to consider that actually, some people, no matter how nonsensically considering we invented the words in the first place, find swearing really offensive. One study shows as many as 87 percent bothers them when others swear, including 36 percent who said it bothers them a lot. Just something to keep in mind.
Toodle pip, Bella Fern
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