Prompt Cast
The Science and Psychology of Swearing
TLDR Swearing is a universal phenomenon that serves as a replacement for crying, allowing for a release of pressure in a quick and involuntary manner. Swear words involve different parts of the brain than language processing and can distract people from other tasks and be remembered better than other words.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Swearing is not necessarily a sign of a limited vocabulary or lower education, as research has shown that people who swear actually have extensive vocabularies.
04:56
Swearing is a universal phenomenon that is embraced by many people, although there is a double standard for women who curse in Western society.
09:46
Swear words can be categorized into two types: deistic, which involve a higher authority or religion, and visceral, which involve body parts or functions.
15:15
Swearing can be seen as a replacement for crying, serving as an instinctive response to express frustration, anger, or pain, and allowing for a release of pressure in a quick and involuntary manner.
20:46
Swearing is offensive because it involves purposely creating an atmosphere where someone will likely be offended, and certain words can be more offensive than others depending on the culture and hierarchy of taboo words.
25:51
Swearing in public can be considered protected speech depending on the location, but there are laws and regulations that can prevent people from cursing in certain situations such as on TV or in private areas like stores or workplaces.
30:48
Swear words involve different parts of the brain than language processing, specifically the limbic system and basal ganglia, which are responsible for regulating emotions and motor function, respectively.
35:56
Swear words are stored in the brain as emotions and motor functions rather than just words, and they can distract people from other tasks and be remembered better than other words.
40:43
Swear words have different levels of taboo and offensiveness depending on the culture, and some cultures place emphasis on words related to the devil or prostitution as the worst swear words.
45:39
Swearing can be viewed as a motor function with a motion attached, and swear words are often just harsh sounds that contribute to their function.
50:30
During a contentious filibuster in the Canadian Senate in the late 1980s, one senator read the entirety of his autobiography into the record, causing a delay in the passage of a trade agreement bill and allegedly getting a free professional translation of his autobiography published in French.
Categories:
Society & Culture
