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    Why have swear words become swear words, and who invented some of the most common ones?

    Question #92690. Asked by crazycube. (Feb 22 08 10:46 AM)


    billythebrit

    		Normally they are related to taboo topics, such as reproduction/love making, reproductive organs, religion and excrement. See more here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swear_words

    Feb 22 08, 11:06 AM
    Arpeggionist

    		Most (if not all) of those in English have their origins in other languages.

    Feb 22 08, 3:36 PM
    author

    		This dictionary deals with slang and taboo words in many languages.

    http://www.alternative-dictionaries.net/

    Some of them also stem from pagan curses.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse

    And, or course also religious (even Christian) curses.

    http://books.google.com/books?id=nCQOpG4ODXIC&pg=PA193&lpg=PA193&dq=origin+of+taboo+words&source=web&ots=8Xbjg7zG_j&sig=FFtRnt3G15PPzOOuGbmSOEBXRy0

    Also note this:

    Quote:
    Overall, the scientific evidence suggests swearing is good for you, says psycholinguist Timothy Jay of Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts and author of Cursing in America.

    We're the only animal that can curse, he says, which sometimes helps us avoid physical violence. "It allows us to express our emotions symbolically and at a distance." For example, Jay says, when a woman was weaving in front of him on the road that morning he was able to call her a "dumb ass" instead of getting out of his car and biting her.

    http://www.sunjournal.com/story/183618-3/bsection/Why_are_sex_words_our_worst_swearwords/

    Feb 22 08, 6:25 PM

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