What is the Swearing Paradox?
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Warning: swear words are used liberally in the following article. But it's for educational purposes.
We're a bit nerdy when it comes to swear words and we love reading about the reasons why certain words are considered taboo, forbidden or frowned upon.
We're a bit nerdy when it comes to swear words and we love reading about the reasons why certain words are considered taboo, forbidden or frowned upon.
We've loved reading about the 'Swearing Paradox'.
It means that there is known contrast between the taboo nature of saying curse words out loud, and the actual frequency that many of us use swearwords it in our day-to-day life.
And that using swear words more frequently diminishes their power and reduces them to mere words rather than insults.
Pretty much the whole premise of our sweary cards and gifts is that these taboo and non-taboo language states can live side by side comfortably for us personally, and for many people like us.
Pretty much the whole premise of our sweary cards and gifts is that these taboo and non-taboo language states can live side by side comfortably for us personally, and for many people like us.
That on the one hand words such as wanker, shit, ass, cock and twat can be used to express anger or frustration towards another person who is behaving badly.
But on the other hand, swear words can create strong friendship bonds between people. They can create familiarity, comfort, ritual and make people laugh.
But on the other hand, swear words can create strong friendship bonds between people. They can create familiarity, comfort, ritual and make people laugh.
They can indicate that a relationship has moved to a much less formal footing.
They can signal that someone has become an insider in a circle of trust.
Nothing says that you feel comfortable with someone quite like calling them a 'cockwomble', a 'beautiful bastard', 'sparkle tits' or a 'glorious bellend'. It's not unfriendly to call someone a classic arse, cock or cunt. As long as it is delivered with love and said within a circle of trust.
We all know the value and positive physiological effects of swearing when we stub our toe or experience high levels of pain. In fact Medical research has proven that swearing is an effective pain reliever. Swearing after stubbing your toe can reduce pain by a massive 33%.
Therein lies the paradox.
Nothing says that you feel comfortable with someone quite like calling them a 'cockwomble', a 'beautiful bastard', 'sparkle tits' or a 'glorious bellend'. It's not unfriendly to call someone a classic arse, cock or cunt. As long as it is delivered with love and said within a circle of trust.
We all know the value and positive physiological effects of swearing when we stub our toe or experience high levels of pain. In fact Medical research has proven that swearing is an effective pain reliever. Swearing after stubbing your toe can reduce pain by a massive 33%.
Therein lies the paradox.
For swearing to remain effective and powerful as a language weapon, it must remain taboo; however, its effectiveness as a social currency and its pain relieving properties drive its high, everyday frequency.
Cultural context, fashion and high frequency use can reduce the impact and negative power of specific swear words and curse words.
Our article about the history of swearing and curse words 'What are the origins of swear words / curse words, and why are some words taboo?" looked at some of these changes.
Cultural context, fashion and high frequency use can reduce the impact and negative power of specific swear words and curse words.
Our article about the history of swearing and curse words 'What are the origins of swear words / curse words, and why are some words taboo?" looked at some of these changes.
In the 20th century, as many Western societies became more secular, religious blasphemies lost their sting, and sexual or identity-based slurs have become more offensive.
And more recently, many marginalised groups have reclaimed swearwords, racial slurs and derogatory language aimed at them. They have forcibly changed words from tools of oppression into symbols of solidarity and pride.
This process is known as linguistic re-appropriation. It will continue as long as there are marginalised groups in society. It helps lever power shifts.
And more recently, many marginalised groups have reclaimed swearwords, racial slurs and derogatory language aimed at them. They have forcibly changed words from tools of oppression into symbols of solidarity and pride.
This process is known as linguistic re-appropriation. It will continue as long as there are marginalised groups in society. It helps lever power shifts.
Targeted marginalised groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and feminists have taken control of the narrative by changing a word's meaning from a hateful slur, e.g. bitch and queer, into a badge of pride and symbol of self-identification.
Today it is not unusual to hear people under the age of thirty use the words cunty or cunt and phrases such as 'giving cunt' and 'serving cunt' to denote that something is cool and a little camp.
Today it is not unusual to hear people under the age of thirty use the words cunty or cunt and phrases such as 'giving cunt' and 'serving cunt' to denote that something is cool and a little camp.
These phrases were originally made popular in ballroom and drag culture in New York in the 1980s. They have continued to gain wider exposure through TV shows such as Ru Paul's Drag race and the explosion of video based social media platforms in the mid 2010s.
It's worth saying that the swearing paradox and what we actually consider to be swearing is all about culture and context.
Most of us would never dream of swearing in front of children or someone that we're unfamiliar with. Personally, I don't swear in professional settings outside of talking about our business, Damn Fine Greetings and the sweary cards and gifts that we create. Most of us are respectful and mind our language when travelling to places in the world where swearing is frowned upon, such as Japan.
But if we stubbed a toe, or were celebrating a friends' birthday, retirement or other significant life stage then we would happily roll out the most appropriate taboo words.
Most of us would never dream of swearing in front of children or someone that we're unfamiliar with. Personally, I don't swear in professional settings outside of talking about our business, Damn Fine Greetings and the sweary cards and gifts that we create. Most of us are respectful and mind our language when travelling to places in the world where swearing is frowned upon, such as Japan.
But if we stubbed a toe, or were celebrating a friends' birthday, retirement or other significant life stage then we would happily roll out the most appropriate taboo words.
We hope this article and others we have written helps you understand why swearing isn't necessarily a bad thing, the evolution of language and why words matter.
More from the Damn Fine Greetings team about words and linguistics
The psychology of swearing as an act of love - is swearing a sign that you actually care about people?
Bellend - a history. The youngest swear word in the family?
Arse - a history. Is it the oldest swear word still standing?
Bollocks - a history. Is it the hardest working swear word in use today?
Why do British people swear so much more than Canadians (and many other countries)?
What are the origins of swear words / curse words? And why are some words taboo?
The Damn Fine Greetings Swear Word Quiz
Lost for words - what to write in a greetings card when you don't know what to say