Why Are Bad Words Bad?

Summary

In this engaging video, Michael from Vsauce delves into the complexities of swearing, exploring how certain words become socially unacceptable and why they carry power. He examines the history, psychology, and social implications of profanity, from its roots in class distinctions to its evolving role in language. With insights from linguists like Steven Pinker, the video explores types of swearing, including abusive, emphatic, and cathartic swearing, and considers how swearing has changed over time. Michael also touches on the cultural significance of 'bad words' and their impact on society, asking whether their taboo nature will continue to evolve.

Takeaways

• 😀 People in Ohio are the most likely to use curse words, while Washington residents are the least likely.
• 😀 Swearing is deeply tied to the historical and cultural context of language, with the word 'bad' itself once being a derogatory term.
• 😀 Over time, swear words have remained relatively consistent, with the 'F' word and 'S' word appearing frequently in recorded conversations.
• 😀 Swear words make up about 0.7% of the average English speaker's daily vocabulary, nearly as often as first-person plural pronouns.
• 😀 Grawlixes are symbols used to represent bad words, named after Mort Walker's 'The Lexicon of Comicana.'
• 😀 Steven Pinker identifies five types of swearing: abusive, emphatic, dysphemism, idiomatic, and cathartic.
• 😀 Abusive swearing is intended to insult or harm others, while emphatic swearing emphasizes strong emotions or reactions.
• 😀 Dysphemisms intensify the meaning of a word, such as using 'shit' instead of 'defecate' to emphasize disgust or anger.
• 😀 Historically, swear words arose from class differences, with the lower class using more vulgar, Germanic terms and the upper class using more refined Latin-based words.
• 😀 The future of swearing will likely see words related to mental health and social inequality becoming more taboo, replacing physical or sexual taboos.
• 😀 Swearing is constantly evolving, with certain words gaining acceptance while others lose their offensive power over time.

Q & A

What is the Marchex Institute's study about?

The Marchex Institute analyzed over 600,000 recorded phone conversations in the United States, focusing on the use of curse words by Americans, particularly which states were more or less likely to use profanity.

Which state in the U.S. was most likely to use curse words?

Ohio was the most likely state for residents to use curse words, including the 'A' word, 'F' word, and 'S' word.

How does the script define a 'bad' word?

A 'bad' word can be considered socially unacceptable, but its meaning and impact can vary. Etymologically, even the word 'bad' can be considered a bad word due to its original derogatory meaning.

What are grawlixes, and why do they exist?

Grawlixes are symbols or squiggles used to represent bad words, often in comics. They were named by Mort Walker, and they serve to censor words in a way that maintains the understanding of the intended meaning.

What are the five types of swearing according to Steven Pinker?

Steven Pinker identifies five types of swearing: abusive swearing (to hurt others), supernatural swearing (using references to God), emphatic swearing (to emphasize emotion), dysphemism (to highlight unpleasantness), and idiomatic swearing (casual swearing without intent to offend).

Why were euphemisms like 'Zounds!' and 'Gadzooks!' created?

During the Victorian era, it was believed that casually referring to God would physically injure Him, so people created euphemisms such as 'Zounds!' ('God's Wounds') and 'Gadzooks!' ('God's Hooks') to avoid blasphemy.

What is the difference between a dysphemism and a euphemism?

A euphemism is a milder, more socially acceptable way of referring to something unpleasant, while a dysphemism is a more extreme or unpleasant way of referring to the same thing, often used to emphasize the negative aspects.

How do historical class differences influence modern swear words?

Modern swear words often trace their roots to historical class differences, where the lower class used Germanic terms (e.g., 's***' for defecation), and the upper class used Latin or French terms (e.g., 'defecate'). These differences contributed to the social acceptability of certain words.

What is cathartic swearing, and why does it occur?

Cathartic swearing refers to the relief people experience when swearing during moments of pain or frustration. It is believed that swearing involves different brain regions than regular language and may be linked to emotional and physical release.

What does the future of swearing look like according to the script?

Swearing is likely to evolve, with some currently taboo words becoming more acceptable and others gaining in taboo status. As societal views on issues like disease, sex, and mental health change, so too will the language we use, potentially leading to shifts in which words are considered 'bad.'