Profanity Project

The Anatomy of Dirty Words: Book

2008-05-10T15:33:00.001-04:00

Sagarin, Edward. The Anatomy of Dirty Words. New York: Stewart, 1968.

This book is a valuable resource for the student of cultural obscenities. Based on the linguistic theories of Benjamin Whorf, it explores the usage of "dirty words" and their surrogates in modern American society. Yes, it can offend. But it is fun and educational.

Profanity is Not Freedom of Speech: Internet Article

2008-05-10T15:20:00.003-04:00

Eccles, Connie. "Profanity is Not Freedom of Speech." 24 APR 2008.

This article shows how people, especially teens, are looking for "worse" things to entertain themselves. It gives the example of going to the movies; kids look for "R" rated movies because they believe it will be a better movie. I believe this and do it myself. I think a PG movie will be boring [since I have a little brother that forces me to watch them], so i go for something more mature. It tells that "R" rated movies have to have a certain amount of mature variables to get that rating. People like it better the worse it is [for the most part]. It tells about how profanity is everywhere, especially schools. It generalizes the youth as to using profanity so much that it loses its value to us and becomes second nature, and there very well may be some students like that that I know. It shows that people continually test the limits and push the buttons of society by airing more daring and provocative shows.

Delete Expletives?: Internet Article

2008-05-10T15:04:00.003-04:00

Millwood-Hargrave, Andrea. "Delete expletives?." ASA. December 2000. ASA, BBC, BSC, ITC. 26 Apr 2008 .

This article shows that people have noticed an increase in the use of swearing and offensive language in daily life. It was generally disliked, but people did not feel there was much they could do about it outside their home. People generally did not accept the use of swear words and terms of abuse before 9:00 P.M., as they expected children to be in the audience. This concern about swear words remained, even if the words themselves were considered ‘mild’. Many more people now say that racial abuse words are ‘very severe’ and there were greater concerns about transmitting ‘strong’ language that may offend others. While younger respondents were not as concerned as others in the sample about the use of many of the words tested, they were particularly likely to consider terms of racial abuse as ‘very severe’. Those who took part in both the qualitative and quantitative research were asked about their attitudes towards the use of swear words and offensive language in advertisements.

Cheney Profanity Incident: Internet Article

2008-05-06T20:21:00.014-04:00

Stevenson, Richard. “The 2004 Campaign: The Vice President.” Cheney Owns Up to Profanity Incident And Says He 'Felt Better Afterwards'. 26 Jun. 2004. 24 Apr. 2008.

This article about Dick Cheney explains that profanity has become more accepted because he said he did not regret it and he "felt better afterwards." He was immediately forgiven by many members of the crowd because they agree that it is normal to cuss because it makes him "very human." If our government allows our Vice President, someone that is looked up to by [well at least SOME] people, then it is very obvious that society has changed from earlier times because public profanity used to be shunned; now, America's political leaders are openly cussing, and at other political figures because they need it to "feel better."