3 Reasons Swearing Is Great | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

3 Reasons Swearing Is Great

Is it good to use bad words?

40
3 Reasons Swearing Is Great
Chicago Tribune

Swearing is often frowned on in society. Some, for example, view swear words as “Ugly and unwholesome words with no good purpose.” Synonyms for “swear word,” such as “profanity” and “obscene language,” have negative connotations in and of themselves. However, people who swear enjoy several benefits that the puritans who abstain from swearing do not:

1. Swearing can relieve pain.

Have you ever said a swear word (or several) after getting unexpectedly hurt? If so, it will probably be no surprise that swearing can relieve pain. This may relate to the fact that it is linked to emotion more than to language in the brain. For instance, a patient with semantic aphasia (“loss of recognition of the meaning of words and phrases”) could only say simple words like "yes" or "no" but still swore in frustrating situations.

Swearing too much, though, reduces its ability to relieve pain. Like many good things, it can be unhealthy if used too much. For instance, did you know that you can die from a water overdose? It is best used in moderation.

2. People who swear are smarter and have larger vocabularies.

A friend of mine once said that she doesn't like swear words because using swear words shows you can't think of better words to use. Under this logic, swearing shows that you have a limited vocabulary and are probably stupid. This may seem like “common sense” at first; in fact, I believed it for a long time myself.

However, it is wrong on multiple levels. It assumes that whenever a swear word is used, another word would be "better" in its place. The argument only makes sense if swear words are bad compared to every other word. In other words, swear words are bad because swear words are bad.

Even ignoring the circular logic, research suggests that the objection is probably wrong. People who swear tend to be more intelligent and have larger vocabularies than people who don’t:

[A] voluminous taboo lexicon may better be considered an indicator of healthy verbal abilities rather than a cover for their deficiencies," the researchers conclude. "Speakers who use taboo words understand their general expressive content as well as nuanced distinctions that must be drawn to use slurs appropriately. The ability to make nuanced distinctions indicates the presence of more rather than less linguistic knowledge, as implied by the POV [Poverty of Vocabulary] view." ... As Stephen Fry once said, "The sort of twee person who thinks swearing is in any way a sign of a lack of education or a lack of verbal interest is just f*cking lunatic.”

We can’t assume that this means swearing causes people to become smarter and to have a bigger vocabulary, but the available research shows that people who connect swearing to stupidity are wrong.

3. Swearing shows social closeness.

Using too much formal language can be very awkward in everyday life. I have found that formal language is often used for two reasons: to show neutral objectivity and to make yourself look impressionable. Using a lot of formal language, then, will either show emotionless detachment or that you are trying to impress someone – or both. These make you seem less relatable. Even on professional resumes, some say it is better to “avoid overly formal language to make yourself approachable.”

Swearing, which can probably be considered the opposite of formal language, "is more common in relaxed settings ... [and] may encourage and facilitate social bonding" because it provides a feeling of casualness. It also shows trust. As you can tell by thinking about the literal meanings of common swear words, swear words usually come from cultural taboos. Swearing in conversations with friends, then, shows that you trust them not to judge you for breaking social norms.

There are probably plenty of other benefits to swearing – most notably that it can be really funny – but these are probably enough to show the good that comes from "bad language."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181697
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8542
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453411
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23866
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments