The history of swear words - SHIT

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t, mavo
• Leerjaar 1-4

The history of 

swear words 

Why do people swear?

Which English swear
words do you know?

• Swearing is not inherently "bad" but we need to be careful when we use it. 

• It is important to know swear words because they are common. 
• 0,7% of words used daily are swear words (that's the same percent as we, us, our, ours) 

Swearing in English

- People swear for many different reasons:

• social bonds
  
• pain relief
  
• stress relief
  
• expression
  
• to offend/shock 

- Swear words can be: 

• verbs (werkwoorden)
• nouns (zelfstandige nw)
• adjectives (bijv. nw)
• adverbs (bijwoorden)
• interjections (tussenwerpsel) 

Swearing in English

- People who swear are often: 

• more intelligent;
• more creative

- Some scientists believe all language evolved from swearing 

- Swearing acts as a release of emotion - the same as crying or laughing 

Swearing in English

- Not all swearing intended to be offensive. Sometimes it is for fun. Sometimes it is expressive; 

- You will hear swear words often when you travel, as well as in movies, music and books: 

• Even classic works contain profanity (godslastering) 

Swearing in English

• Etymology - woordafleiding
  
• (in)offensive - (niet)beledigend 
• Manure - mest/bemesten 
• High brow jokes - grappen met dubbelzinnigheid 
• Low brow jokes - grappen die makkelijk te begrijpen zijn
• Parental advisory  - ouderlijk toezicht 

Before watching

Watch the SHIT-episode of The History of Swear Words (Netflix). 

- Get a piece of paper & a pencil/pen; 

- You get 10 minutes to answer the following questions in English: 

• What is the difference between being shitty and being the shit?
  
• What does ‘getting your shit together’ mean?
  
• Do you think ‘shit’ is an offensive swear word? Why (not)?
  
• Can you think of/find another expression using the word 'shit'?

After watching

Sometimes swearing is not acceptable:

• In formal situations 
• Near children 
• With people you don't know
• if used to denigrate a group of people

It can be useful to know some English swear words, but be careful when you use them. If you're unsure, don't use them!

Closing thoughts