No Stupid Questions 119. J***s C****t, Angela, Why Are You Such a F***ing Potty-Mouth?
9 snips
Oct 16, 2022 The conversation kicks off with an exploration of why swearing is becoming more common today. Humor and offense intertwine as they share anecdotes about the power of curse words. The discussion dives into swearing’s role in intimacy and societal norms, revealing how language evolves with culture. They examine gender perceptions around swearing and share listener stories about coping with seasonal feelings. Finally, personal strategies for handling extreme weather round out the talk, emphasizing comfort and connection in everyday life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Increased Swearing in Print
- Swearing is increasing in printed materials, as shown by Google Ngram Viewer data from 1900-2019.
- Words like "hell", "ass", "s***", "damn", "f***", and "bitch" have all become more frequent.
Cringeworthy Golf Incident
- Stephen Dubner recounts a cringy golf experience where a lawyer called a golf ball "whore."
- This made Dubner uncomfortable and changed his view of the person, demonstrating context's importance.
Evolution of Swear Words
- Linguist John McWhorter identifies three eras of swear words: religion, the body, and demeaning others.
- Words targeting specific groups now hold more power than traditional "cuss" words.
