My Perspective on Swearing

First of all, I want to point out that vulgarisms are not words I am fond of. On the contrary, I dislike hearing and using them. They are intense and jarring. Swear words are not neutral; therefore, they cannot be used as meaningless sentence fillers or decorative additions to make speech sound more expressive. My professor, Jan Miodek, used to say that excessive swearing is a sign of linguistic poverty—language offers plenty of ways to express emotions without resorting to vulgarity. Swear words have their place, but they should remain silent until they are truly needed.

Even though I dislike vulgarisms, I must admit that they are an intriguing part of language with a long history and are widespread among different languages. What makes them even more interesting is that swear words do not carry the same emotional weight for foreigners as they do for native speakers. This means their power is not hidden in the cluster of sounds they are built from but in their meaning. Even though foreigners learn the meaning, it is easier for them to utter “bad” words in a new language than in their own. Why does this happen?

The Purpose of Swearing in Language

To understand this, we must first ask: why do vulgar words exist in languages? I do not think it would be an exaggeration to say that swearing has likely been part of human speech for as long as language itself. Like all words, swear words didn’t emerge in a vacuum; they arose to serve a purpose. Their meaning is loaded with strong emotions such as anger, pain, frustration, or surprise, providing an outlet for people to express themselves in moments of heightened intensity. When someone stubs their toe on a wooden shelf, it’s unlikely they would calmly say, “I am experiencing sudden and strong discomfort radiating from the smallest extremity of my right foot. I must have unexpectedly encountered a hard object on my way.” Instead, a quick, sharp exclamation is needed—something that can instantly capture the pain and frustration of the moment. Sometimes, a shout is not enough, and profanity can help release emotions. The brevity and sharpness of swear words make them particularly effective. Interestingly, research suggests that swearing can even increase pain tolerance, offering a psychological release that helps individuals cope with discomfort or stress.

Swearing as a Social and Cultural Tool

Swearing extends beyond emotional expression, playing a significant role in shaping identity and social interactions. The way people swear can reflect their social class, regional dialect, or membership in a particular subculture, such as among sailors, soldiers, or teenagers. It also serves as a tool for emphasizing statements, adding intensity and strength to speech. Throughout history, swearing has been a form of rebellion, used to challenge authority and push against societal norms, making it a powerful linguistic tool for defiance and self-expression.

The Linguistic Evolution of Swearing

I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t mention the linguistic aspect of swearing and its evolution, influenced by cultural beliefs and societal changes. In ancient societies, words were often believed to have magical or superstitious power, meaning that simply speaking certain words could bring about real-world effects. People avoided using specific terms to prevent invoking danger, an idea reflected in the Polish saying “Nie wywołuj wilka z lasu” (“Don’t call the wolf out of the forest”). An interesting consequence of this linguistic behavior is the Polish word “niedźwiedź” (“bear”), which originates from a descriptive phrase meaning “honey eater” (“miód jedzący“), avoiding the original, feared name of the animal. I will skip the lecture on historical grammar explaining phonetic changes in this word over the ages…

In Old English and Slavic traditions, swearing was closely linked to oaths and curses, where breaking an oath was considered not only dishonorable but also potentially dangerous. Over time, as languages evolved and social norms shifted, words that were once neutral took on vulgar connotations, particularly those related to bodily functions, which gradually became considered inappropriate in polite conversation. The opposite process also occurred; some originally offensive words became neutral, such as the Polish word “kobieta” (“woman”), which was considered vulgar until the 18th century.

The Problem with Overusing Swear Words

So, if swearing has meaningful functions—expressing emotions, relieving stress, shaping identity, and strengthening group belonging, why is it a problem? The issue lies in misuse and overuse.

There was a time when it was almost impossible to hear swear words in public speeches. Occasionally, individuals break these rules, adding profanity to express opposition, challenge norms, or signal rebelliousness. Over time, swearing in public became normalized to the point where it no longer catches the ear as something shocking. People have become desensitized to it, which is a problem. Language has become polluted, and even young children are exposed to vulgarisms through TV, music, and conversations. They absorb these words without the opportunity to connect them with the appropriate context.

Context is Key

And context is key to truly understanding the power of swearing. Children acquire new words not just by hearing them but by observing the situations in which they are used. They absorb the emotions attached to specific words, so when they hear those words again, they recall the entire emotional context. Swear words learned by observing stressful situations involving an uncle, grandpa, or other familiar people will become linked to strong emotions. If learned simply by hearing songs on the radio or as sentence fillers, children will not understand their strong emotional weight. The same rule applies to learning vulgarisms in a foreign language in neutral, academic settings; lacking this emotional imprint makes them feel less intense.

A Call for Mindful Language Use

As I mentioned at the beginning, I do not like vulgarisms, and I agree with Professor Miodek that overusing swear words indicates linguistic poverty. I highly recommend restricting ourselves from garnishing neutral sentences with vulgarisms to help cleanse language from swearing pollution. Instead, we should reserve swear words for situations where they fit and can effectively unload emotional tension and help release negative emotions.

For those who are overly reliant on swearing, I recommend an exercise proposed by my friend: instead of using a swear word, try saying “Smurf.” See how ridiculous the sentences sound when those little blue creatures are mentioned too often!

Anna Kaminska