© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Impoverished State of English Profanity

Taboo words are those reserved for situations where an expression of shock is required. Words describing body parts and bodily functions set the standard for shocking language in english. What the language lacks is a strong grounding in profanity.

Copyright 2006 NPR

John Ciardi
You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.