Why do British people swear so much more than Canadians (and many other countries)?
We were interviewed yesterday by a famous Canadian voiceover artist Joanna Reynolds. She has probably soothed you to sleep, read your favourite book to you or urged you to buy something that you definitely need.
She asked us one question that's been buzzing around my brain ever since.
"Canadians don't really swear as much as you British do. Why do British people swear so much.?"
Part 1 of the interview can be found here. WARNING. It's really sweary (We all drop the C word. A lot). But hopefully it is informative.
Mine and Emma's answer gave us both lightbulb moments.
We think that us British people swear a lot because:
1. Britain is a complex, rich blend of cultures and has many historical influences. We have a strong sense of linguistic identity, a unique sense of humour (often self-deprecating and sarcastic), and a love for traditions and rituals that bind us together.
2. Culturally, Brits have always used swearing as a form of sarcastic affection between friends and loved ones. Most of us wouldn't call our dentist or a teacher a 'glorious bellend' or 'cockwomble', but we're happy to rib our nearest and dearest with a gentle, choice swear.
3. Swearing is a simple and effective way to release pressure or anger in a relatively safe way. If you get squashed on public transport, cut up in road traffic or jostled on a busy high street, then a hushed "wanker" or "you flippin' twat" is much better than landing a punch or poking your umbrella into the perpetrator. That's how street brawls start.
4. The UK is a densely populated country. Especially when compared to other countries in Europe and the rest of the world.
5. The sweariest places in the UK tend to be the big cities, like Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. Of course there are regional sweary hotspots in the UK. For example the swears on Norwich or Great Yarmouth markets would make your nana's toes curl.
So why is the UK swearier than Canada?
Here's a theory.
Let's look at that 'pressure release + landmass, urban and population density theory' closer.
Canada has a population of 41.5 milion.
Canada's population density is 4.2 people per square kilometer. This means that, on average, there are 4.2 people living in each square kilometer of land in Canada.
Even though more than 80% of Canadians live in cities, the cities themselves cover surprisingly large areas with relatively low densities (think Toronto suburbs versus London terraces).
The UK has a population of 68.3 million.
The UK's population density is 281 people per square kilometer. This means that, on average, there are 281 people living in each square kilometer of land in the UK.
Historical land use comes into play here too.
There have been centuries of clustered town and village building and a preservation of protected natural land areas in the UK. Canadian urban land is spread much more thinly.
With help from ChatGPT, we've look at landmass, population density and urbanisation patters and have calculated that you are roughly five times more likely to find yourself standing next to at least one other person in the UK than in Canada.
And you are therefore five times more likely to swear at them affectionately as a friend, or because they are being a total twat.
Do you have alternative theories?
Do you think our answer is a load of old codswallop?
Are there Canadian swears or regional UK swearwords that we should know about?
Get in touch with us at info@damnfinegreetings.com.
And if you see one of your favourite friendly sweary insults in our collection of rude (but never nasty) greetings cards, be sure to stock up.
More Swearing History Lessons
What are the origins of swear words / curse words? And why are some words taboo?