I do admit to being a professional potty mouth. My filler expletive regularly engages with my favourite and most versatile of profane words: fuck. Its versatility is pretty much limitless: both a verb and a noun, an expression of elation and disappointment, a call to action and a decision to sit it out.
As an advocate of swearing, I have become increasingly fascinated by my regular engagement with religion, especially since I’m a confirmed agnostic. Strenuous activity is usually accompanied by the utterance of “Oh God!” whilst pain will inevitably invoke a “Jesus Christ!” I have often pondered the satirical statement: what did this deity cry when he stubbed his toe?
This puzzling paradox pinged my psyche until I’d had enough. For heaven’s sake man, do some research!
Swearing is a fascinating aspect of language, often revealing more about our cultural and historical contexts than we might realise. Historically, many societies held religious beliefs at the core of their cultural identity. In such contexts, invoking the name of a deity or sacred concept was a powerful act. Early forms of profanity often involved blasphemy – disrespecting something sacred. This was not just about being offensive; it was about challenging the very foundations of societal norms.
In Judeo-Christian traditions for example, using God’s name in vain was considered a serious offence. The commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” underscores the gravity of such acts. Over time, these prohibitions seeped into everyday language, transforming sacred names into common expletives.
Swear words also gain their power from punitive prohibition. They are terms that society has deemed inappropriate or offensive. By breaking these restrictions, we express strong emotions and capture attention. Religious terms are particularly potent because they tap into deep-seated cultural and psychological taboos.
When we preface swear words with religious terms like “God,” “Jesus,” or “hell,” we’re not just being irreverent, we’re leveraging the shock value associated with these sacred concepts. This amplifies our emotional expression, making our words more impactful.
Swearing serves as a form of emotional release. Studies have shown that using strong language can help alleviate pain and stress. By invoking religious terms, we add an extra layer of intensity to this release. It’s as if we’re calling upon higher powers to witness our distress and validate our feelings.
Moreover, swearing with religious terms can create a sense of solidarity among those who share similar beliefs or cultural backgrounds. It reinforces group identity and shared values, even in moments of anger or frustration.
Interestingly, the landscape of profanity is shifting. While religious terms remain common in swearing, newer forms of taboo language are emerging. Sociological taboos – words related to race, gender, and sexuality – are becoming more prominent. This shift reflects changing societal values and what we collectively consider most offensive.
However, the enduring presence of religious terms in our swearing lexicon speaks to their deep-rooted significance. They remind us of our cultural heritage and the powerful role that religion has played – and continues to play – in shaping our language and expressions.
So, there you have it! I contend that my wander through the wisdom and wizardry of cultural curses has settled one argument: profanity isn’t puerile. And as George Bernard Shaw claimed in his play Annajanska, “All great truths begin as blasphemies.”
© Ian Kirke 2024
@iankirke.bsky.social
Title photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash.