Taboo?

Dear Lowdown:

Why is it that every language and society has their own swear words? Where do swear words come from and how do certain words become so “taboo?”

- Jessica Steans-Gail (Chicago)




Dear Jessica:

I do not swear, never did never will.I do not support the vileness thatspews out of our mouths. However, the study of the pesky four letter words gives insight into the brain’s functions, which is something worth pursuing.Top professors at leading universities predict that swear words may lead them to the core reasoning behind human behavior. Recently, many papers have been published explaining why profanities have infected our language. The reason for the frequent usage is because they are (sadly) an inescapable part of animal nature.

Steven Pinker, a notable professor at Harvard University, isthe most accredited in the field of swear words. Using his expertise in evolutionary psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive science, and linguistics, he developed a theory on swear words. His fascination grew as he came to realize swear words follow different linguistic patterns than average speech demonstrating that those words are processed differently. His technical terms are dauntingbut together we will understand the cognitive neuroscience of swearing.

Words that make your grandmother faint are associated with negative emotion. Once swear words are hurled at you or erupt out of your disgusting excuse for a mouth certain parts of the brain processthe negative emotion attached to each word. The areas of the brain associated with negative emotion (basal ganglia and amygdala) will have a chemical reaction similar to saw dust being poured on a fire. The result is a tremendous burst of energy that normal words could not procure.Unmentionable words ability to activate those parts of the brain is partially the reason why we use swear words.

The activation of the basal ganglia and the amygdalacontribute to our understanding of the penchant ofswearing. The basal ganglion, an area in the depth of the brain, is linked to motor skills and learning, but more interestingly tourette’s disorder. Tourette’s disorder leads to uncontrollable screaming, usually of profanities. The amygdala, also found in the depths of the brain,is linked to perception of a threatening situation such as a mad face or a disgusting image. The reaction proves humans react differently to swear words from the core of our brains compared to average speech. The strong reaction makes us vulnerable to other people’s gruesome discourse.

Collectively mankinduses obscenities as a result of one crucial factor.Once the swear word is blurted out,the brain will unconsciously interpret its meaning.Our species has learned to take advantage of each other’s disposition to cringe at swear words.The “Stroop test”, a common psychology test, will demonstrate the concept. I will use examples from previous experiments.

Say aloud the printed color (not the word)

blue, green, yellow, blue, black, orange, red, green
Again
green, yellow, purple, yellow, red, black, green, orange
Finally (remember say the color)
Fuck, Piss, Cunt, Shit, Tits, Asshole, Prick, Pussy

On average, the last two examples take about the same time to answer. The rationale behind the delay is each word takes longer to interpretbecause their meaning interferes with the ability to identify the color.Youhave to read the word and think about its meaning, causing the time delay,whether you want to or not. This means as the wise Steven Pinker puts it “swearing is using language as a weapon to force a listener to think an unpleasant (or emotionally charged) thought.”

There are several reasons behind someone resorting to such vulgar weapons. One hypothesized idea is “dysphemism” this is used when the time for being polite has passed and no euphemism will suffice. In order express how grave a situation isa swear word serves as a direct tool rather than trying to circumvent the truth with a euphemism. For example when eating a meal that tastes unsavory you could say, “I have had better” or the dysphemism “this tastes like s**t” for a stronger statement. Note I refuse to relegate myself to animalistic impulses instead I would opt for the euphemisms, such as, “this tastes like bio-waste”.

Abusive swearing provides a person with the means to create powerful images using many rhetorical devices to intimidate or humiliate someone. Here is an example of a metaphor “you are a scumbag”. You can imply something awful about another person such as incest with a mainstream cussword such as “mother*ucker”. Now that I know there is an art to words that demanda mouth cleaning I appreciate them more and so should you.

On the other hand there are idiomatic swears coined by Steven Pinker.They are wild exclamations that have little meaning and are meant to get attention. Arousing the areas in the brain with these idiomatic swears is more funny than malevolent. Shouting “sweet *uck-all, What the *uck?” asserts a laid back atmosphere where people feel at ease and can express how they feel without scrutiny. For a similar reason the emphatic swearing is employed to show surprise and excitement and emphasis! The swear words illustrates how “really, really, *ucking brilliant” something is.

The final excuse is cathartic swearing; this maybe the hardest to avoid. These outbursts are triggered by a misfortune such as stubbing your toe or a word document unexpectedly shutting down. Potty mouths claim shouting allows them to “blow off steam” in tough situations. This is called the hydraulic theory (not backed by science). Instead, experts believe that there is a defense mechanism still ingrained in our system dating back to common ancestors millions of years ago. Scientists hypothesize the only differences between humans and howler monkeys (in terms of cathartic swearing) are our complex language and cutting-edge voice box. Mankind has utilized its evolutionary advances with the creation of a copious amount of immoralwords for every situation.

The reasons provided are universal considering their utility in any society. In spite of the fact, most of swears cannot be directly translated from one language to another, linguists have found that many swear words can be grouped into general categories for the ability to create negative emotion.

One category prevalent centuries ago is supernatural such as hell, damn, and other offensive biblical words. The waning of supernatural words began asthe words lost their negative meaning. They don’t inspire much awe and fear. More pandemic nowadays is bodily effluvia and organs, which create a sickening feeling because affluvia is associated with disease and rancid smells. More common among the words are sh*t, p*ss off, and cr*p.

Sexuality is frequently viewed in an uplifting and happy manner yet it may become graphic and the motive of malicious acts. In some cases sexuality causes more harm than good. Sexuality provokes thoughts of exploitation, illegitimacy, incest, jealousy, spousal abuse, cuckoldry and the list continues. When one says “*uck” there is like a tidal waves of negative emotion hitting you and completely drowns out the positive side of sexuality.

The final bad word is the worst of all because itraises emotions of hatred and contempt. The n-word refers to an alienated group or people who are disfavored. It recalls a time of great disparity and injustice. Alienation has ignited much strife in the past. Some nasty words that are relics of those times recall the conflicts even though they cease to exist. The word dink (a term to describe the North Vietnamese soldiers)offends particularly Asians because it unfairly implies that based on appearance one becomes an American killing communist. Those antiquated words tend to make the user appear insular.No one wants to be considered an infidel, cripple, enemy, or subordinated peoples.

These categories do not cover all swear words but give a good idea why a majority of the swear words tossed aroundare considered “taboo”. They may cause a reaction that supersedes normal words, but that does not justify using them. I view swear words like currency. If there are too many in circulation they will lose value and effectiveness. Daily, we are bombarded with verbal attacks. I have developed a tolerance to them and only appreciate the original ones. Humanity is faced with a forked road. Hesitation will lead to the continual use of our vapid swear words. We can take actionwitha renaissance in foul language. Our society will frown upon minimalist swear. The individual will take time to create inventive swears like poets did centuries ago. Here is an antique yet elaborate series of bad words ‘kiss the *unt of a cow,” notice the pleasant meter and alliteration. Preferably we take the virtuous path and purge the swear words that must not be named from our vocabulary. Humans should resist their natural proclivity to swear and demonstrate that we are no longer mere animals but Homo Sapiens.

Sincerely,

Marlon