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why do people swear

I swear sometimes for no reasons, but not that often. But im wondering why people swear for - just to emphasize something or... :confused:

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Reply 1

henryt

I NEVER swear! It means that if I do swear, it really packs a punch! And yes - I guess it is just to emphasize, or to shock!

Reply 2

Champagne Breakfast

It's a way of expressing one's emotions in a more satisfactory manner than standard English will allow.

Reply 3

yawn

Lack of a wider vocabularly that can express the same sentiments in a more eloquent manner? :wink:

What does Profesh think?

Reply 4

david cool

Well I still know clever ppl that still swear alot.

Reply 5

Sithius

yawn

Lack of a wider vocabularly that can express the same sentiments in a more eloquent manner? :wink:

What does Profesh think?

lmfao.

Reply 6

iceman_jondoe

i swear alot but ive been told that people often swear because they lack the vocabulary to express their feelings in another way lol..but i'm trying to cut down.....or stop completely because i know it doesnt sound very nice

Reply 7

Sithius

iceman_jondoe

"Oh sugar"

"Oh ****"

The latter makes me feel better.

Reply 8

MissSmith

people swear because it shows how angry or in pain they are. it might suggests that they have a poor vocab or whatever but can you really see someone falling from an aeroplane crash or getting their finger stuck in a door or finding out their wife/husband cheated and they just say "oh dear"? it just doesn't happen!

Reply 9

iceman_jondoe

^^ unless your ned flanders :biggrin:

Reply 10

Champagne Breakfast

yawn

Lack of a wider vocabularly that can express the same sentiments in a more eloquent manner? :wink:

Expressing one's sentiments in a more eloquent manner lacks that certain je ne sais quoi. Sithius has got the right idea.

Reply 11

Profesh

yawn

Lack of a wider vocabularly that can express the same sentiments in a more eloquent manner? :wink:

What does Profesh think?

B*llocks.

Reply 12

Sithius

Profesh

B*llocks.

lmao

Reply 13

Johnny 5

The middle classes will claim that swearing is merely indicative of a lack of education, a dearth of coherent argument, or just the inability to construct any form of response. To them, swearing is often a mortal sin, loathed to the point that they could not possibly associate with anyone who commits it.

So I swear, just to piss off the middle classes.

Reply 14

philjw

I think 2+2=5 might have caught onto the end of another reason people swear - to identify with a social group. Sometimes, especially when meeting a new person of their same age, someone might use swearing in order to see what reaction it gets. If it's reciprocated (or even taken to a stronger 'level') then subconsciously they can recognise them as fitting in with their group. If it's not, or if it's met with disapproval, then that also gives an idea of where the newcomer stands socially.

I remember reading (in the Telegraph, of all places!) recently that how you speak is really more of a sign of your social 'class' than how much you earn nowadays. I suppose it is true that your accent and choice of language mark your origins very significantly - people can still tell I'm from "the North" despite having lived in Oxfordshire for the past 13 years.

Reply 15

Sithius

2 5 +

Are you poor? (no offence intended).

I'm middle class and I swear, as does my mum sometimes. (Don't wanna hear my sister when she is pissed off. Wait no... scratch that. When she is chatting. :wink:

)

Reply 16

Johnny 5

Sithius

Are you poor? (no offence intended).

I'm middle class and I swear, as does my mum sometimes. (Don't wanna hear my sister when she is pissed off. Wait no... scratch that. When she is chatting. :wink:

)

I am either poor, or self-isolating, or significantly richer than thou. Either way, it is increasingly evident over recent decades that the deliberate offence of those with social sensibities has become a legitimate and competitve sport. And I'm not the kind of person to lose a game without at least my best efforts against it.

Reply 17

black_mamba

Using a swear word is like a punch in the face, but obviously the effectiveness depends on how often you swear during normal conversation anyway.

I swear too often but am trying to come up with cuddlier alternatives; like poop instead of sh*t. Any better ideas?

Reply 18

Profesh

Gio

I swear sometimes for no reasons, but not that often. But im wondering why people swear for - just to emphasize something or... :confused:

What; at you in particular?

Having read that post, I should think the rationale to be self-evident.

Reply 19

Champagne Breakfast

philjw

Sometimes, especially when meeting a new person of their same age, someone might use swearing in order to see what reaction it gets. If it's reciprocated (or even taken to a stronger 'level') then subconsciously they can recognise them as fitting in with their group. If it's not, or if it's met with disapproval, then that also gives an idea of where the newcomer stands socially.

Yes, most people get over that phase by the time they're 13.

philjw

I remember reading (in the Telegraph, of all places!) recently that how you speak is really more of a sign of your social 'class' than how much you earn nowadays. I suppose it is true that your accent and choice of language mark your origins very significantly - people can still tell I'm from "the North" despite having lived in Oxfordshire for the past 13 years.