Why do people swear? Why does using a swear word make us feel better? How do we choose which word we use?
Luckily for you, the Association of Psychological Science’s Perspectives on Psychological Science just published an article that answers these important scientific questions in an article by Timothy Jay (2009). If swear words hurt your eyes, you may want to stop reading now.
Jay notes that swear words (or taboo words, as he calls them) can include sexual references (fuck), those that are profane or blasphemous (goddamn), scatological or disgusting objects (shit), animal names (pig, ass), ethnic/racial/gender slurs (fag), ancestral allusions (bastard), substandard vulgar terms and offensive slang. Taboo words can be mildly offensive to extremely offensive, and people will often use a more mild euphemism to replace a swear word when in mixed (or unknown) company.
How do we choose what word to use and when? We make choices about which word to use depending upon the company we’re in, and what our relationship is to that company, as well as the social setting. We’re more apt to use less offensive terms in mixed company or in settings where more offensive swear words might result in recrimination (such as work). For instance, people are more comfortable and are more likely to use technical terms for sexual references in mixed crowds, and to reserve the taboo words for same sex crowds or with their sexual partner. Most people feel uncomfortable saying, “Fuck” in a business or public crowd, instead falling back on less offensive words like, “Damnit.”
As Jay notes, “Swearing is like using the horn on your car, which can be used to signify a number of emotions (e.g., anger, frustration, joy, surprise).”
Taboo words can be used for a variety of reasons, including to achieve a specific reaction from others. Swearing injects a direct, succinct emotional component into the discussion, usually in order to express frustration, anger or surprise (up to two-thirds of our swearing is for just such expressions). These insulting swears can be name calling or wishing someone harm, so it’s no wonder they are often a defining feature of hate speech, verbal abuse, sexual harassment and obscene phone calls.
Swearing is beneficial in ways that people may underestimate or take for granted. Swearing is often cathartic — it often frees us of the feelings of anger or frustration we hold and allows expression for them. It can also be a useful substitute to physical violence (who would rather be punched out than to withstand being sworn at?).
Swear words can also be used in a more positive manner, in the form of jokes and humor, sex talk, storytelling, self-deprecation or even social commentary. Imagine when you want to emphasize how great you feel something is, a swear words emphasizes the positive feelings you have for that object, situation, person or event (“This concert is fucking awesome!”). Sure, we could just say “This concert is awesome,” but the addition of the swear word emphasizes the emotional reaction we have toward it — and easily conveys that emotional reaction to others.
Virtually all people swear, and people swear pretty consistently throughout their lifetime — from the moment they can speak to the day they die. Swearing is almost a universal constant in most people’s lives. Research, according to Jay, has shown we swear on average from 0.3% to 0.7% of the time — a tiny but significant percentage of our overall speech (frequently-used personal pronouns occur at approximately 1.0% rate in speech). Swearing is more common than you might think. But personality research suggests that people who swear more, not surprisingly, score higher on traits such as extraversion, dominance, hostility and Type A personalities. Swearing is not just for the uneducated or people of a lower socioeconomic class — it knows no social boundaries in its expression.
Swearing is a natural part of human speech development. We learn which words are taboo and which words are not through our normal childhood development. We also learn that not all swear words are equal, as Jay notes — “Fuck you! represents a greater level of anger than crap!” We then learn that we may be able to say a swear word in one social context, but not another.
Jay’s article was a bit of an eye-opener for me as well, as I didn’t know that swearing was really as commonplace as he notes, and I never much considered the beneficial effects of swearing. Jay calls on more psychological research to be done on this topic, and after reading his article, I’d have to agree.
Reference:
Jay, T. (2009). The utility and ubiquity of taboo words. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(2), 153-161.
124 comments
I just started high school and my friends warned me about all the swearing that goes on. even though my school is suposidly a “great school” and a “good influence” i hear swearing ALL the time! Not really insde the school but on the BUS! the kids swear their heads off and dont care who hears! if i ask them to stop they’ll just swear in my face until i have to get off!!!!!! they mainly say the F word ALOT! they say it so much itz like they dont even know what it means! (and i bet more than half of them dont know) cause of this their parents should be as ashamed as they should be! WHY CANT THE “ADULTS” OF THIS WORLD JUST ATLEASED TRY AND MAKE A GOOD INFLUENCE AND A BETTER FUTURE FOR US THE FUTURE GENERATION AND STOP SWEARING! ITZ NOT NSSESARY AND SHOULDN’T BE SAID EVER! I’m literally beging to HATE the bus just because of that. (now I have to go take it for the next 4 years of my life!) anyways some1 should do something about it! someone who can influence people! anyways I hope SOMEONE will take what i said to heart! thanks for reading!
I agree Becca. Adults need to do a better job of this. Stay strong and don’t swear like the other kids. Maybe you won’t always have to ride that bus!
Try wearing ear buds with your loud favorite music. Or be home-schooled
Great article. I think it would have been great to explore a few other things, like:
–Why do people swear during sex?
–Why do people with tourette’s syndrome seem to always use swear or offensive words (the “n” word) in their ticks?
I agree with this article about how swearing really helps to convey a feeling. As someone who has also learned a foreign language (fluently), I find that this really holds true across cultures, it’s not just that “Americans are becoming more vulgar” for those puritans who wants to say that our civilization somehow has less manners than others.
And for those who are so ‘high and mighty,’ believing that swearing is for the uneducated or those who don’t know how to express themselves, I say to you that I am educated with a Master’s degree in Language/Literature. A) I love to swear, but I am quite proficient in the English (and French) langauge enough to express myself and B) take a look at some of the most revered and classic authors in History. They swore, not only in their daily lives, but often in some of the best literature that exists (in several languages).
For some swearing, especially the ubiquitous use of “F bombs,” is due to lack of intellect and vocabulary, for others it is merely caused by lack of character and/or lack of self-discipline. Rarely have I found it edifying or necessary.
Cussing is immature and I don’t hang around those who speak hatefully of others and talk bad about sexual orientation, race, nationality, etc. It seems like people have no respect for anyone anymore regardless. Some of the most profane language I hear is on cell phone conversations I truly do NOT want to hear.
I don’t care if people swear. That’s really their business. But personally, I can’t stand it. It stings my ears. And I find it highly disrespectful when people swear their heads off in front of people that may not want to hear the kind of language. Someone posted something about their situation on the bus. I relate SO much. On my bus and at school, people swear like a bunch of animals like they have no self control. I’m not saying swearing is for the uneducated. I know some extremely smart people that have potty mouths. I agree with this artcile somewhat. People swear to convey strong emotions or express anger. But isn’t there other ways to do that?
My husband uses swearing as a form of abuse. He knows I really do not like it and in his childish way he is punishing me for whatever it is he is mad about, even if it has nothing to do with me. Someone said it is used because some people do not know how to verbalize their feelings. Maybe, but I feel it can be very calculated in its use.
Words are just words. You interpret them with your contextual understanding of what they mean literally, or contextually, or euphemistically.
They are just words, close your ears, stop being so prissy, and get over it.
Alternatively, assuming your an American, talk to your therapist and your lawyer and start divorce proceedings.
I have decided to make my potty mouth an isuue with my therapist. I just started so we need to put it in context, family, etc. My co-workers have complained and the executive director has talked to me! I finally started writing about it in like a journal. I think this article is reinforcing to my determination to control my urges, anger.
i think cussing [such as words that get bleeped out (or should be bleeped)] is just a crutch. i’d like to beleive that as a human race we have more control over what leaves our mouth…
what happened to think before you speak?
Hey, gang, whaddya think ’bout swearin’ on a public forum, such as YouTube. 1 commenter put it best: ‘Swearin’ does’t belong here on YouTube. Not now, not ever!’Little kids imitate what they read! Anybody else with me? God bless!
Jen,
Joe is right in a way, languages are just sounds we have formed through evolution which associate itself with everything we know of, it’s how we communicate.
Swearing has just been deemed inappropriate by society over the course of history but in saying that am I going to go around swearing or judge people who do? No, I acknowledge that and adapt because society says so in certain situations but I can swear in front of my peers or now and say you’re an absolute fucken moron in a way but wait judging by your stupid 6 paragraph fucken shit whore of a rant means I can’t speak in a decent manner either so you judge me?
Shame on you
Matt
Interestingly, it’s not as simple as a potent “expression” or a choice word. These taboo words are stored in our brains, not with language, but with emotions. Even very pious people will cuss when sedated for example, after after a surgery – not because they use those words (probably never) but because those words are stored and come out when the emotions are confused by the sedative.
There is a connection between pathological cussing and emotional trauma; often a person that has been emotionally “stunted” by abuse, PTSD, etc. will swear obsessively as a way of letting out stuffed emotion. SO if you know someone who is a chronic cusser, there may be something much deeper than you think going on – it doesn’t necessarily mean they are stupid.
Talking of “stunted”… I was in a camping area many, many years ago and woman stubbed her toe on a tree root (or something similar) and said “rude word” – literally. She didn’t swear, but was so overcome with emotion, yet so severely suppressed by her upbringing/societal expectations that she couldn’t even swear under unusual, unprovoked, immediate stress!
This had my partner and I pissing ourselves – well, figuratively, not literally.
I cannot believe some of the idiots on here who actually think that because they were brought up to be prudent and they are so narrow minded to think that;
A) They know better than many experts form around the world, as these are not the sole personalities behind this idea, which is gaining momentum.
B) That they believe that because people swear and use incorrect grammar they are mentally or emotionally stunted!
I have a IQ of 147, a first class Hons degree, teach at masters level as well as studying for a masters in chemical engineering, I have managed multi million pound contracts as well as see the world. I also wear like a trooper and make a mess with my grammar because I’m dyslexic and used to be a solder!
And you know what… you have no self-control! So phycologically I think, it would result that you’re near the lower animal kingdom!
You know you got some nerve to say that people are narrow-minded strictly because they use foul language. But answer me this…. Why do we let some words have more meaning or more importance than other words?
Think about that for a second. Words are words at the end of the day and in no way shape or form will the words be capable of harming you by themselves unless you let them.
“Sticks and Stones”
Stop being a sensative princess that gets upset because other people don’t see some words being as worse than others.
Equality or GTFO!!!
The phrase “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” is appropriate if somebody lets of steam by swearing. It also depends on the person. Some people are more sensitive than others in that respect. However, the “words will never hurt me” do not apply if one calls another person an insuling, offensive name that refers to color, ethnicity, race, religion, or socioeconomic class, because the above things are an important part of people’s identities, of who they are. Such terms are offensive, and are a direct attack on the core of somebody’s identify, and are extremely inflammatory, especially if the person that one directs the insult(s) toward is a member of an already marginalized group.
i agree with prolific 100%! I have an IQ of 144 and one of the most open-minded people you will ever meet. I did not swear as a child and do not swear in front of children (if i can help it) or my parents but swear like a trooper around my peers as i feel these so called ‘swear’ words are only offensive if you perceive them that way.
I cannot believe some of the idiots on here who actually think that, because their own parents were mindless, child hating, bullies, and were brought up to be disrespectable, foul mouthed zero’s without a drop of pride in themselves, having a vocabulary to prove their narrow-mindedness and then, actually think somehow they would be able to gain respect in life for this behavior that:
A) is so easily remedied, and with an ounce of thought, would quickly realize how ignorant they look and sound when they use the childish soap deserving language that any self respecting adult, (and child) quickly grows out of.
B) are so quick to utilize a rapid inclination of an already depraved world, as some sort of an excuse to be a part of said depraved world by adding to that world of depravity with their own disrespectable foul mouths – and:
C) Manage to convince themselves, that they are not some how, mentally disturbed, even though, everything they stand for, everyone they spend their time with, all of their political and spiritual beliefs, lead anyone with a kindergarten education to notice, they have to have more than one mental problem in need of help.
And finally, sadly, there is no help for them. Because it is in fact, the psychological entities and professions, who would once have helped them, were long ago taken over by the very same perverted professors who’s ideologies now make up ALL of our collage campus ideological rebellious, childish failures. The fact that a “psychologist†would even author a totally shortsighted, shallow, unrepresentative article such as this merely adds to the endless pile of evidence that must conclude all of the above is fact.
Swearing is emotive language and therefore irrational. It solves nothing but only adds fuel to a situation. By not swearing I find I am more relaxed and rational when dealing with stress and more forgiving when dealing with others e.g. when driving. Furthermore if you take swearing and filth from much of what we call comedy there is nothing there. I don’t believe swearing belongs only to the un-educated, educated people have emotions too. I would argue it is not wise or clever to use. Being educated and being wise are two totally separate things, the most educated can be the most ignorant and unwise. I use to swear and now practise not swearing because i feel it helps be keep a cool head and causes me to be more forgiving to other peoples faults…
I use(d) to not swear much, but do it now quite a lot because it really pisses my partner off. She really can’t stand it, so, if she won’t listen – most of the time – I swear and she gets really upset. What a buzz.
I agree with you 100% especially about the phycologists being more perverted then the patients!
It’s very immature but I like to swear, and don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.
Fuck fuckity fuck fuck fuck!!
ahh frustration gone after reading some of these anti-swearing swearing comments.
(I apologise to any Moms or children that may read my comment. I would not normally use this language around you, but given that this is an internet forum for psychcentral.com i doubt the latter group would be visiting here. Mom’s who do my bad once again.)
For the most part this is psycho babble gobble dee gook.
I don’t swear, don’t have the need to swear.
Swearing shows how ignorant and uneducated someone is and how they cannot articulate and communicate properly.
I can’t believe this article. Are they saying swearing is OK? What kind of experts are these..
Swearing is for immature adults and for children who lack basic manners.. Walk pass a pub and all you’ll hear is f-ing this and f-ing that.
I wish swearing was banned altogether. I feel sorry for my child who will have to grow up in this environment of ignorant people.
I will rather send my child to an Islamic school. Say what ever you want, but their children have good manners.
While we’re at it, let us also ban all that made-up religious gobble-de-gook. Brain washing. Get a life.
What a pyscho column! Swear words are a pathetic way to talk and doesn’t relieve any stress whatsoever! People swear just to fill in words in sentences and because their minds cannot fathom what is normal! I have never said a swear word in my life! Don’t tell me it can’t be done!
If you have never used a swear word in your life then you have no idea how it feels after expressing one, so pretend to know whether or not it serves any purpose. Read the literature. It served\s a very valuable purpose, however, most often, will not achieve the desired outcome, and most likely will cause more angst.
I have to say, being a 27 year old… I hardly swear, and I do it rarely and only to make a point.
I find those who use it for every other word tend to not understand its full meaning..
Its quite demeaning I think to use a swear twords someone.. Yes, It may make the person who is doing the swearing feel better for that breif moment but to whom he or she usualy directs it to, do you think they feel better?
In short, have a brain, try an think before adding swears, have a thought before tossing in swears. It is not hard.
I a person trying to study why people in my school and at my home swear.
I found out actually found out that people who swear thinks swearing is cool!
Well, I don’t. I think it’s for people that are lowly educated! Plus when I say that,
I’m not trying to by offensive to other people.
By the way I’m Chinese.
So please don’t discriminate me by saying ch&&g at me
If you know that word please stop saying it.
But if you don’t know it would be better if you did not know that word.
Plus if you are asking me if I know that slang I won’t even bother it.
This is what I think personally.
Mainly, please stop swearing in this world.
Thanks!
Josh
I agree!
Good Josh!
I found this article when I was searching the topic of swearing and cursing. I created a page on facebook that carries the title “I swear” . That was my dream, to speak about swearing and cursing, why we curse, how curse words developed to be taboos, were they taboos before? that’s why this article is really beneficial in my research. Hope I can read more about this topic
Proud to say I don’t swear. Have never said a curse word out loud to anyone. Have never told a dirty joke. I would think less of myself if I swore.
I hope you don’t do any of the other randomly chosen religious no-nos either, such as think lewd thoughts, littering, murdering, pillaging, masterbating, etc.
I work in an office where people swear all the time. They’re not angry, or upset. It’s just the way they talk. It just sounds so vulgar to me. Swearing loses all meaning if you say the “f-word” at all times. Not to mention you get so desensitized you’ll probably say it at the wrong time. Would you like to see a real piece of “s—” on your work desk? Or on your dinner table? Then why conjure up the image? And if it should not bother me, then should I not be bothered either if people use racial slurs? They’re just letting off steam, right? Would be great if we lived in a world where people were concerned about the feelings of others instead of telling them to “get over it.”
Interesting article. As a child I made the conscious choice to never swear and now as an adult, I have never broken that promise. However, I’ve never met another man that doesn’t swear. I guess I’m really unique.
Matt, I’m proud of you, man! Swearin’ never got anybody anywhere, except a bunch of dirty looks!
I didn’t swear at all in English until last year. I never said any bad words to any people in my native language until two days ago. And I have no interest in keeping it as a way of getting back at people who swear at me first. That’s why I’m googling trying to find out how much stress, anger and pain accumulated that could have led me to this dramatic change. I’m a total stranger to myself now.
The article says people swear since they can talk till they die. But besides myself, my parents swear even much less then I do.
I just thought i’d add that many of my friends do not swear and nor do I. Of course i know it is common and hear it regularly. I do find it offensive and don’t watch much TV. Having said that i would not discriminate against people who swear.
My curiosity is what is occurring in the brain to alter the use of language under different behaviour scenerios? It appears to me that I use subsets of words and the way I use them depending on my emotional state and in response to outside influences. For example I may use swear words when angered or frustrated or speak with soft warm tones to a person I feel attracted to. I may have one subset for speaking with executives to that of local lads but I don’t actively think awww I must speak like this now I’m with a certain person or group. I do this without concious decision making, I just go to a different word/language stack automatically. I am very curious as to what actions occur between language use and triggers from emotions and outside influences.
fuck sake you lot are in for a rude awakening if ye ever come to Scotland – a lot of Scots swear some just in their everyday conversations it’s only bloody words – what aboot weapons of mass human destruction , wars, famines, seriously but Gods gonnie gie love ye more for not using certain words and batter on in there and you fund wars and weapons but don’t fucking swear while yer fucking doing it what a bunch o fannies hahaha paedophile rings well that’s arite as long as ye dinnae swear while yer fucking them weans o dear God are ye having a fucking laff???
I am now adding Scotland to my list of places I must visit. I agree Scotlass, some in this group are being over the top judgmental on other people’s vocabulary. There are much more pressing issues to get this upset about. I’m not really sure why they think that someone saying fuck, is more offensive than calling another person that you don’t know uneducated or emotionally impaired. I found most of the “I never swear” comments highly offensive and more fully verbal venom than the curse words.
I am a mother of four children ages 24-5 years old, a lesbian married to the love of my life, most of my friends are highly educated, and yes we swear. Sometimes we swear awholefuckinglot! You should have heard the heated debate about quantum entanglement the other day, it would have made sailors blush.
So please stop and think before you speak. If I drop the F-bomb, there is a reason, if your husband is “punishing” you with swear words, you’re in an abusive relationship, if you choose not to swear, great if that works for you.
My personal opinion is that it is not the words we use that make us better people, but the way we use them. There is no difference is calling someone an asshole or calling them stupid if they both hurt. We can not advance as a society until we stop judging others and seeing “different from us” the same as “less than us”.
This is just my opinion, but relax a little, help others when you can, and enjoy life.
I am always amazed at what we will accept as a truth or an altruism. Just because someone has a degree(s) we ignorantly just go along with their perceptions, no matter how they were derived, and accept what they say as fact. Swearing (cussing; cursing), in my opinion and in any case, is vile, disgusting, immature, and reflects very poor control over ones conversation while revealing serious character flaws.
Thank you.
I try not to swear but when I do I say “Oh, mother” which is short for mother f-word in my mind. The boy in the movie “The Visit” said he would quote female singer’s names instead of regular swears. Examples in the movie are “Sarah McClaughlin” and “Katy Perry” and he said these names a lot and I thought it was quite creative!
If anything, I expect not swearing and looking down is clearly childish and close-minded. People have different ideals and say different things. That’s like looking down on german because you find it to be a “vulgar, terse language.” I was a CHILD when I was looking at other people like swearing was the most vile, gross thing. Because I was easily influenced. Know what? I grew the fuck out of it. Just like a parent can teach that certain races or genders are below you, I was taught that swearing was disgusting and pathetic. Then I grew up and thought for myself. I realized they’re just words and people are no less for using them. You’re the lesser person for judging them.
When ANYTHING is used to hurt; that’s what’s fucked up. Merely using swear words is not.
And seeing how you’re treating people who admit that they swear – not that they use it to hurt – are the fucked up people here. And damn! That’s without uttering a single swear. Congratulations on finding another way to inflict pain on people. At least you’re not SWEARING! Thank HEAVENS for that.
Only low-lifes swear and blaspheme ! Another part of the immoral emergence of a depraved society.
I agree with you.
Some of these comments are ridiculous…
Professionals go out to look further into the psychological pathways and sociological backgrounds that affect our verbal responses and use of what is a social construction of bad language and the majority as primarily socialised stick with their rooted indoctrination of how to view swearing.
These forums are for us to be open minded, you leave socially constructed etiquette at the door, if you stick by that you’ll never understand the psychoanalytical breakdown of the human mind.
As for those who see swearing as for the ignorant, the uneducated, the vulgar people of the world…it’s called pragmatic diversity people. There’s a maxim of manner to which people talk to each other, if you can’t look past these social constructions then your unfortunately stuck to the ideological state apparatus moving within the boundaries of higher power treading lightly to not break the red tape.
So don’t insult those who swear and place yourself above them on a scale of their consideration for others. We’re human beings and our actions go beyond our parenting and socialisation. A person is s person no matter how they present themselves, they can shine no matter how they talk.
This whole article is justifying using foul language because it makes one feel better. What about the FACT is a demeaning and blistering way to express yourself, and should have no place in the common workplace, let alone your private conversations. “Out of the Mouth the Heart Speaks” is an old saying. It shows what a low life and immoral person we are, when all we can think of to express ourselves is vulgar and crass words. It is certainly not Godly, and certainly not a good form of expression, anymore than it would be a good idea to walk into a office in your underwear, or to arrive at a Gala event in your Bathrobe.
Amen.
I think swearing is absolutely ridiculous, disgusting and unintelligent. Swearing annoys me more in that it makes no sense whatsoever nowadays because people replace normal words with them. Such as “No duh (no s***), go away, (f*** off), F*** you doesn’t even mean anything. And there’s many, many, many more stupid things. I hate it more that it makes no sense than the words themselves nowadays. I just despise them and they annoy the crap out of me. And they’re just nasty and mean sounding. So to use them as a compliment is an oxymoron.
I go to school and im known as the only 6th grade boy in the school who doesnt cuss but i dot feel good bc my friends say them all the time and what could happen in the future?!i think /EVERYONE might think its immature
“…people swear pretty consistently throughout their lifetime — from the moment they can speak to the day they die.”
… Are you telling me the person who wrote this purports to be an actual PhD? Babies swear? Their first words include cursing? What an idiot.
Obviously, children discovering that some words are taboo is a normal part of language development, but for children raised in normal, healthy environments, this is typically somewhere between four and eight, long after they know how to talk. Also, plenty of people chose not to swear. It is called self-control.
Outside of extremely stressful situations or being under the influence in some way, I fail to understand why adult people who voluntarily avoid swearing in the presence of, say, small children and their grandmother, act as though they couldn’t possibly not swear in other parts of their life.
I cuss when I get mad and my family does not like it but I have a cousin and nieces that do it I do not get mad and when I tell them they get mad because I judge them but they judge me and I do not like it and they seem to not care how can I make them understand that if I can not cuss they can’t either and I am tired of being told off I am 36 years old and they do not need to judge me
What do you do when you reach a point in your life where you become subconscious of swearing and worry about the very words you say and the implications it may spell out for others? Do you simply stop using those words that were once so much apart of your character? Asking for myself.
Our very words are capable of lifting up another to immeasurable heights or casting them down to a sad and dismal place of suffering ( even for that moment)
So when you realize that your words have these effects, what should one do? Should you just try to refrain from using them?