Frequency and Kinds of Words in Various Social Settings, or What the Hell's Going on?

Abstract

One does not need a high degree of sen: sitivity to notice that profanity is not necessarily the mark of the uneducated or even that it is not necessarily socially taboo. In our society profane or words fulfill many functions-if you don't kn ow someone or only know him to a modest degree, calling him an old bastard is apt to elicit a sore nose; on the other hand, the same phrase may constitute endearment to a friend. Situationally we well know that taboo words are taboo on the airways, in formal or quasi-formal gatherings (such as professional or religious assemblies), or in most written communication. At the same time taboo words are often demanded if is to be one of the boys at a party, or on an assembly line, or a comedian at night clubs. Then, too, if special force or emphasis is to be given to an utterance in a formal gathering, nothing will do quite as well as a profanity. On the assembly line floor a similar contrast is often effected by a straight statement.