Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

SWEARING AND TABOO EXPRESSIONS

114

General

114a

Swearing and the general use of taboo words is increasingly heard in spoken

English both in private and in public settings (including radio, TV and films).

Although there are some forms of swearing that are less offensive than others,

most features of swearing involve taboo words. Learners of English should

exercise great care concerning such usages. 

The use of taboo words and phrases projects either a close, intimate

relationship with the person or group to whom they are addressed (so that 

one feels free to use taboo words) or else a threatening and hostile relationship. 

In such contexts it is difficult for learners of a language to know the precise

strength of such expressions.

Most taboo words and phrases in English exist under two main headings of

religion and parts of the body and bodily processes, especially those associated

with either sexual activity or with using the toilet. The most common taboo

expressions in this category involve the words fuck (to have sexual intercourse –

the word is used as a noun and verb forms) and shit (bodily excrement – the word

is used as a noun and a verb). 

A good dictionary will cover the main meanings of these and similar words; this

section pays particular attention to grammatical patterns. A rough guide is also

given here concerning the relative strength of swearing expressions. A very strong

expression, which is likely to be shocking or threatening in most non-intimate

situations, is given five stars (*****); a less strong expression, likely to cause little

or no offence, is given only one star (*). 

In general, swearing which involves ‘religious’ taboo expressions is likely to be

weaker than swearing that involves ‘parts of the body’ taboo expressions,