Description
Book SynopsisWhy do we love to swear so much? Why do we get so offended when others do it? With wit and insight, philosopher Rebecca Roache seeks answers to these and other puzzling questions about bad language. When someone swears at you, it can sting. Likewise, sometimes there is no better way to make the point you''re making--emphasize, insult, or just plain offend--than to use a swear. What explains the magical power of swearwords? Why are they so good at offending people? To understand swearwords'' power, we need to look beyond the words themselves--beyond the way they sound and what they refer to--and consider more generally what we do when we swear.In this lively and amusing exploration of the various puzzles that surround swearing, philosopher Rebecca Roache argues that what makes swearing offensive is not really the words at all: the offensiveness lies in what we don''t say. The unspoken--and usually unconscious--inferences that speakers and listeners make about each other are key to expla
Trade ReviewSwearing is indeed shocking, rude, and fun. It's also puzzling, fascinating, and thought-provoking, as is this marvellous book. * Roger Crisp, Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of Oxford *
With brilliant wit and remarkable skill, Rebecca Roache takes up the linguistic, social, moral, and legal dimensions of swearing. The result is a philosophically sophisticated and highly readable discussion with lots of practical guidance about whether and when we need to watch our mouths. Roache's wise, funny, and thought-provoking book belongs on everyone's shelf. * Karen Stohr, Ryan Family Professor of Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy, Georgetown University *
Finally a book that rips the fuck out of the arseholes who claim that swearing is 'the sign of a poor vocabulary' or 'unnecessary.' Bollocks to them. This book puts those dim wankers right in as serious, intelligent, knowledgeable and hilarious a fashion as the subject deserves. * Stephen Fry *
This is a wonderfully well-written exploration of all aspects of swearing-cultural, linguistic, ethical and political. It's both insightful and an absolute page-turner, which made me laugh out loud several times-not a very common experience with philosophy books! In short, it's an excellent fucking book. * Jennifer Saul, Waterloo Chair in Social and Political Philosophy of Language, University of Waterloo *
Roache skillfully probes the complexities of profanity use and its relevance to decorum, identity, and power. This will intrigue linguists and potty-mouthed laypeople alike. * Publishers Weekly *
A lively examination of swearing in all its forms, and although it is often humorous, Roache also has serious points to make...With dry wit and a storyteller's eye, Roache romps through the history and social meaning of colorful language. * Kirkus Reviews *
[B]oth academic and hilarious. Readers lured in by the title (and its sanitizing asterisk), especially those interested in the farreaching effects of language, and those who love to swear, will find much to ponder. * Laurie Unger Skinner, The Booklist *
A really refreshing and insightful book. * The Debut Digest *
Highly readable and amusing. * Cathleen Mair, Idler *
Highly original ... It reveals all kinds of things about how we relate to people and the different ways in which we can communicate, threaten, or tease. I love this book. * Nigel Warburton, Five Books *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Why give a shit about swearing? Chapter 1 What is swearing? Chapter 2 Swearing's secret offensive ingredient Chapter 3 There is no secret ingredient Chapter 4 Different kinds of wrong Chapter 5 Taboo, aggression, and harsh sweary sounds Chapter 6 How to be a really offensive swearer Chapter 7 You talkin' to me? Chapter 8 A regulatory fucking mess Chapter 9 How to do things with swearing Chapter 10 Fairer swearers Chapter 11 Swears versus slurs Chapter 12 Cunt and cocksucker Chapter 13 Cunt and 'cunt' Chapter 14 How the f*** do asterisks work? Chapter 15 Swearing as a force for good Chapter 16 The value of offensiveness Conclusion You're all fucking superheroes Acknowledgements References Index
