Swearing: A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English (Language Library) [Paperback]

Geoffrey Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1993 | Series: Language Library

This is the history of the lexical underworld of the English language. It details the story of impropriety in language and of the lower registers of the foul and obscene. From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms from the deadly curse to trivial expletives occasioned by annoyance. The book tells of the use of magic in primitive societies, of the binding oath of the Anglo-Saxon warrior and of blasphemy in the medieval age of faith. It describes how in the Renaissance swearing acquired a more secular idiom, and how the conflict between linguistic exuberance and official exuberance lasted up until modern times. There are also sections on the various types of abuse - racist and sexist among others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent, non-prescriptive history." Literary Review

"Erudite and splendidly researched book ... quite fascinating." Daily Telegraph

"A provocative and stimulating book." Glasgow Herald

"Professor Hughes shows real skill in handling the social history aspect of the book, blending theme and chronology into a digestive mixture." Punch --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms, from the deadliest curse to the most trivial expletives of annoyance. Hedged about with all manner of complex pressures, personal, societal, religious, sexual and other forms of taboo, it remains a phenomenon only imperfectly understood. Geoffrey Hughes traces these two contrasting strands through our linguistic history. His discussion starts with the use of language as magic in 'primitive' society, the binding oath of heroic commitment in Anglo-Saxon warrior society and the emergence of blasphemy in the medieval age of faith. With the Renaissance came a shift from a religious to a secular idiom of swearing, a period combining rich exuberance in language with severe restraint. This oscillation between institutional censorship and individual defiance continues to modern times. Professor Hughes includes in this broad-ranging survey such topics as xenophobia and the racist basis of abuse, graffiti, the sexual and sexist patterns of swearing, the multifarious forms of euphemism and the curious varieties of verbal duelling known as 'flyting' and 'sounding'. His book is a tireless exploration of a little discussed but irrepressible part of our linguistic heritage. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Pub (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631187359
• ISBN-13: 978-0631187356
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,620,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on a topic that's usually swept under the rug, November 2, 2002

By 

Scot Mcphee "scotartt" (Brisbane Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Swearing (Paperback)

This is an excellent history of the rich lexicon of the true English language. Shows how various traditions such as verbal baiting (flyting), 'blasphemies', and 'profanities' developed in in the tapestry of English ... and interesting in that it describes only a few hundred years ago or less the "four letter words" were just everyday language whereas blasphemy was regarded as beyond the pale. Interesting topsy-turvy compared to today's use!

Learn where common or archiac expressions developed etc. Marvel at the rich linguistic traditions of working class English and the broad variation that Australian swearing can give to a single word.

Although some reviews have said this is "academic" in tone (meaning well researched and footnoted I suppose) and it is indeed rigorous, it is a VERY LIVELY read which any moderately literate person can get excellent enjoyment from.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such Language, Mr Hughes!, March 30, 2010

By 

Robert Mosher "The Military Philosopher at h... (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Swearing (Paperback)

Swearing, A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English, Geoffrey Hughes, © Geoffrey Hughes, 1991, 1998; Penguin Books, London

It would appear that swearing and/or the use of oaths is a universal human constant regardless of language, culture, social mores, etc. I really have to wonder if the first recognizable word to come out of the mouths of our most ancient ancestors wasn't an oath or a swear word prompted by the impact of that stone axe on a bare toe or foot. What Geoffrey Hughes has given us here is a history of this human activity in the English language, from its Anglo-Saxon roots to the mid to late 20th Century.

A professor of linguistics and a scholar of language, especially as people actually use it, Geoffrey Hughes presents a solid and readable survey history of the uses and preferences for oaths and swear words in the English language in some 250 pages divided into 11 chapters. The author introduces us to his topic with a discussion of curses, expletives, oaths, swearing, taboos, and how they overlap or differ from each other in our speech over time. He then proceeds in succeeding chapters to discuss the Germanic inheritance of English swearing and oath-ing, its evolution in Middle English, the later influence of French and other languages, and the impact of our changing attitudes about religion, the church and other authorities, how we talk about foreigners and the "other" in our lives, how swearing relates to sex, and how it reflects the changes in the world at large. At several points, Mr. Hughes embellishes his discussion with lists of different swear words and their often changing meanings or usage by historical period. This I found particularly useful as a living historian/reenactor as it provided some idea of the changing vocabulary over time and geography.

I like very much that there are endnotes at the end of each chapter rather than at the end of the book. Endnotes aren't quite footnotes but are much handier than having all of the notes buried at the end of several hundred pages. There is also a five and a half page bibliography that provides grist for the mill of anyone interested in further reading or research on a particular period. This is a good selection for either the interested general reader or the academic.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too Academic, September 21, 2010

By 

D. Varney "Tea Maven" (Torrey, UT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Swearing (Paperback)

Not was I was looking for. The author seems to me to be in love with his own writing which is often arcane and old-fashioned. Very wordy, and not an easy read. I gave up after the first two chapters.