Ever wondered about the origins of your favorite swear word or how it impacts your daily life? Well, buckle up and brace yourself for an enlightening, witty, and slightly irreverent journey into the world of profanity, courtesy of fascinating insights from Melissa Mohr's book, "Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing."
Swearing: A Surprisingly Common Pastime
Did you know that the average person swears about as often as they use first-person plural pronouns like "we" and "our"? Yep, approximately 0.7% of the words uttered daily are swear words, with some folks pushing the limits up to 3%!
Profanity's Early Beginnings
Hold on to your hats, because swearing goes way back – all the way to Roman times, in fact. The Romans laid the foundation for modern expletives by focusing on sexual taboos. Who knew swearing was such a timeless art?
Kids: Swearing Champions in the Making
Forget learning the alphabet! By the tender age of two, most children already know at least one swear word. Swearing truly takes off between ages three and four, leaving parents scrambling to cover their ears.
Ancient Swear Words: Still Going Strong
Some of today's most popular swear words have been around for over a thousand years. Take the S-word that rhymes with "hit," for example – it's found in Anglo-Saxon texts. Talk about standing the test of time!
Medieval Oaths: A Physical Attack on Jesus
During the Middle Ages, swearing "by God's bones" or "by God's nails" was believed to tear apart Christ's body in heaven, making oaths a serious taboo. However, obscene words had much less impact, as people in those times had a less developed sense of shame.
Swearing's Impact on the Body
Swearing doesn't just make you feel better – it affects your body too! Saying and hearing swear words can make your palms sweat and even help alleviate pain. So, next time you're in pain, don't hold back; let those expletives fly!
Profanity: Not Just for Lazy Minds
Swear words aren't just for those with poor vocabularies. They're perfect for insulting people, dealing with emotions and pain, and even bonding with others. So, the next time someone calls you out for swearing, just tell them it's all about emotional expression and connection!
Swear words may be a guilty pleasure for some, but there's no denying their fascinating history and impact on our lives. From ancient Rome to the modern-day, they've shaped our language, emotions, and even our physiology. So, whether you're a prolific swearer or a more reserved user of expletives, remember: there's more to swear words than meets the ear!