PROFANITY: The Dangerous Side of Foul Language

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Approximately half of humanity does not use profanity. The other half believes that life without swearing is dull and unimaginable. Who is right? Modern research shows that, in some cases, profanity can enhance physical performance and serve as a form of psychological compensation. But foul language also has another side — dark, destructive, and highly dangerous. Which side will you choose?

Sometimes the only way

to stay in touch with reality

is to be rude and superficial

Philosopher Paul Feyerabend

DIFFERENT COUNTRIES SWEAR DIFFERENTLY

hich countries swear the most? Researchers award this dubious palm of victory to different regions. The list of leaders usually includes countries of the Global North: Finland, Ireland, Scotland, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. But quantitative indicators do not reflect the quality, the full “breadth” and, if one may put it this way, the “beauty” of national profanity. Moreover, the data vary greatly because, in different languages, the boundary between obscene vocabulary (profanity) and “mere swearing” is drawn differently. Therefore, if we are to speak about the most foul-mouthed countries, it makes sense to do so within the limits of a single language. For example, among English speakers, American citizens swear the most. Unsurprisingly, the most frequently used profanity is the word beginning with the letter F. Apparently, this reflects the cultural (or uncultural) influence of Hollywood. In any case, the British and Australians swear far less. However, the latter displays the greatest inventiveness.

This emphasis on quality rather than quantity likely earned the inhabitants of the Green Continent the reputation of being the world’s most profane English speakers. In Australia, the above-mentioned notorious word has 2,160 variations of usage. By comparison, in the United States, there are 1,969, while in the United Kingdom, there are 1,474 variations. This means that although all these countries speak English, they swear in distinctly different ways. It turns out that a “culture of profanity” is among the traits by which one nation can be distinguished from another. It is known that philosopher Emil Cioran, after moving to Paris, despised his Romanian heritage and denied his original identity. Yet he always preferred to swear in his native language. Incidentally, in America, there exists a stereotype about residents of New York City similar to the global stereotype about Australians. New Yorkers are unfairly considered the biggest foul-mouths in the United States, although in reality, they rank only seventeenth. The leading position has long been held by residents of the state of Maryland.

THE MOST “PROFANE” GENERATIONS AND PROFESSIONS

Research shows that attitudes toward swearing change from one generation to another. In particular, scholars from Macquarie University found that Generation Z considers many swear words perfectly acceptable and non-offensive — words that once horrified and outraged previous generations. Benjamin Bergen, author of the book «What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves» – believes that social media has shifted communication into a mode of informal interaction. There is nothing surprising in the fact that an informal society uses informal language. However, if profanity becomes the language of everyday communication, it ceases to be a taboo anomaly and turns into a new norm. At the same time, unlike traditional profanity, Generation Z perceives insults related to race and sexual orientation as unacceptable.

At the same time, according to research, the use of profanity is connected with the establishment of social boundaries. People are more likely to use swear words in social media messaging than in personal blogs, and more often when communicating with acquaintances than with close friends. Professional environments are also highly sensitive to profanity. According to social surveys, construction workers swear the most, which is unlikely to surprise anyone very much. Their rate stands at 64 percent. Second place belongs to industrial workers with 60 percent. In third place, at 58 percent, are IT specialists. They are followed by employees in trade, advertising, and marketing. However, there are professional fields in which swearing is strongly discouraged. Researchers found that doctors whose profanity is overheard by patients inspire the least trust and are perceived as less experienced.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND MEDIEVAL MYSTICISM

There are many theories about the origin of profanity. Perhaps the most convincing takes us back to times when human behavior differed little from that of animals. Swearing is always accompanied by increased sweating and a rapid heartbeat. These autonomic reactions suggest that profanity may be a manifestation of the archaic “fight or flight” response. Some anthropologists believe that swear words originally functioned as warning signals or markers of status within a group. Animal growling, for example, performs the same “profane” function: “Do not come any closer, or you will pay dearly for it!” Over time, the function of profanity transformed repeatedly. In the modern world, swearing can be heard almost everywhere. We have largely forgotten that it was once regarded as a sign of losing self-control, demonic possession, cursing, or the invocation of dark forces. European folklore preserves the legend of two girls. One spoke kindly and warmly, and roses fell from her lips. The other cursed foully, expelling frogs and snakes from her mouth.

Today, obscene language is no longer associated with destructive energy in the way it was in the traditional cultures of past eras. And apparently, even the taboo surrounding profanity can be given a scientific explanation. The point is that the human body consists of nearly 80 percent water, and water is believed to be capable of changing its structure under informational and energetic influence. Positive words and thoughts improve the genetic code and prolong human life, while negative ones, accordingly, worsen it. Interestingly, populations whose native languages lack swear words connected to sexual organs reportedly suffer far less from Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy. There is also a suspicion that profanity may travel through neural pathways different from those used in ordinary speech. How else can one explain the fact that people with certain forms of paralysis may completely lose the ability to speak, yet still fluently produce long tirades consisting entirely of swear words?

IT CALMS, RELIEVES PAIN, AND ENHANCES PERFORMANCE

Be that as it may, profanity remains a great mystery for scientists in many respects. The phenomenon still requires long and careful study. One example is the ability of obscene language to grant people certain “superpowers”. Sometimes, by swearing, we boost our self-esteem and motivation. Mark Twain once advised: “When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear!” Twain’s intuition is supported by a number of scientific experiments. Repeating a swear word really does produce a calming effect. Stephen Richards from Keele University discovered that people who swear become far more resilient. Students who used profanity were able to keep their hands in ice-cold water twice as long as those who did not swear.

Other studies by Richards demonstrated that profanity alters the perception of pain: the words a worker shouts after hitting a finger with a hammer are far from accidental. Swearing removes psychological barriers and breaks down our inner limitations. In the literal sense, profanity can make us physically stronger. Students participating in Richards’ experiments were able to hold balance positions during chair push-ups much longer while repeating their obscene mantras. This effect may also explain the fondness many athletes have for profanity. None of the above, however, should be taken as a rehabilitation of swearing. Profanity is much like alcohol in this respect: the important thing is not to overdo it.

Today, according to global statistics, people who swear produce 9.43 dirty words per 1,000 people, while on average, there are five swear words for every thousand words we speak. Profanity is immaterial, yet far from harmless, and it should be handled with care. Practice moderation, and you will protect yourself from negative consequences. And if you cannot restrain yourself, follow the example of recovering alcoholics — it may be better not to swear at all. The fact is that, according to Richards’ observations, not every swear word gives a person additional strength and endurance. Moreover, the adrenaline surge responsible for the pain-relieving effect was observed only in people who swore no more than a few times a day. Unfortunately, among those who cursed nonstop, no positive effects were detected.

SWEAR SPARINGLY — AND WITHOUT INSULTS

The social functions of profanity in the modern world are becoming increasingly diverse. Swearing can express disappointment and joy, relieve stress, or characterize a disappointing outcome. Research has shown that profanity increases the effectiveness of an argument, demonstrates closeness and trust, helps maintain the attention of others, or dominate over them. It can serve as a means of nonviolent retaliation, humor, and, of course, self-expression. Neel Burton, author of the book Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions, argues that swear words adjust our register, making us seem more significant and interesting. Naturally, culture could hardly ignore such an effective means of expression. William Shakespeare frequently used profanity, although far more inventively than most people: “Away, you three-inch fool! You starveling, you elf-skin, you dried tongue, you bull’s pizzle, you stockfish!”

Obviously, many contemporary writers follow in his footsteps. Although it is equally undeniable that, in the art of swearing, most of them are far from Shakespeare’s mastery. Contrary to popular belief, in today’s world — where profanity pours from television screens and social media pages — not everyone swears. Approximately half of humanity does not use obscene language at all. One study found that around half of university students never swear. At the same time, the use of the most common swear words on Facebook increased by 41% between 2019 and 2021, while on X (formerly Twitter) it rose by 27%. After the pandemic, people began swearing more than before. The percentage of children who use profanity increased, and adults started swearing more often at work. Perhaps this reflects not only a general cultural decline, but also a form of psychological adaptation to difficult times and declining living standards — society is, in a sense, taking a kind of “painkiller”. And if you truly cannot do without profanity, then, in order not to harm yourself or those around you, try to follow two simple rules: swear sparingly and never direct insults at other people.

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