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Holy Shit: A Brief History of Swearing
Holy Shit: A Brief History of Swearing | Melissa Mohr
23 posts | 6 read | 1 reading | 13 to read
Almost everyone swears, or worries about not swearing, from the two year-old who has just discovered the power of potty mouth to the grandma who wonders why every other word she hears is obscene. Whether they express anger or exhilaration, are meant to insult or to commend, swear words perform a crucial role in language. But swearing is also a uniquely well-suited lens through which to look at history, offering a fascinating record of what people care about on the deepest levels of a culture--what's divine, what's terrifying, and what's taboo. Holy Sh*t tells the story of two kinds of swearing--obscenities and oaths--from ancient Rome and the Bible to today. With humor and insight, Melissa Mohr takes readers on a journey to discover how "swearing" has come to include both testifying with your hand on the Bible and calling someone a *#$&!* when they cut you off on the highway. She explores obscenities in ancient Rome--which were remarkably similar to our own--and unearths the history of religious oaths in the Middle Ages, when swearing (or not swearing) an oath was often a matter of life and death. Holy Sh*t also explains the advancement of civility and corresponding censorship of language in the 18th century, considers the rise of racial slurs after World War II, examines the physiological effects of swearing (increased heart rate and greater pain tolerance), and answers a question that preoccupies the FCC, the US Senate, and anyone who has recently overheard little kids at a playground: are we swearing more now than people did in the past? A gem of lexicography and cultural history, Holy Sh*t is a serious exploration of obscenity--and it also just might expand your repertoire of words to choose from the next time you shut your finger in the car door.
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annamatopoetry
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According to goodreads, I read 17 books last year, which sounds about right, most were nonfiction and two took an inordinate amount of time (I'll make a post about my dislike for reading challenges/targets that focus on counts another day). There are the best and worst (finished) books from last year.

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annamatopoetry
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Pickpick

Absolutely fantastic, read this book. Thorough without being dry, hilarious when applicable, informative as hell. Wonderful. Best book this year. Had to buy it when I was halfway through the library copy. (why it took me forever? I fell back into an old fandom and read a couple of hundred thousand words of fic instead of books.)

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annamatopoetry
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I really love this book, so don't ask me why I'm reading it at a literal snail pace of approximately one word per day.

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annamatopoetry
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"Biblical Hebrew is extremely euphemistic- it often substitutes a an indirect and inoffensive term for one thought to be blunt or offensive. /... / it never says have sex with when a man can know a woman /.. / or sexiest of all, the two can eat bread together. "
I admit laughed at that last bit.

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annamatopoetry
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I mentioned planning on reading John McWhorter's 9 Nasty Words on a linguistics discord, and was told to save my time and read this, so here I am.
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I started having ankle pain again a few weeks ago and was pretty wigged out. Had an MRI last week and saw dr today to review it. Bad news is that there are two tears, good is that both look like they involve muscle, which means they'll heal on their own. In the boot again for another 2 weeks.

bibliothecarivs Thanks for reminding me about this book. I saw it a few years ago and thought it looked good. Hope you heal well. 3y
4 likes1 comment
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shanaqui
Pickpick

I think I mentioned the chapter on the development of swearing as in oath-taking already -- that part was great! That was the best bit, but it was all pretty fascinating. Maybe a tiny point taken away for ending quite abruptly.

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shanaqui
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Oof, wanted to read a ton today, but it's a horribly busy time of year to work on two habit tracking apps!

I did get a good chunk of this read yesterday, though. LOVED the analysis of oath-swearing in the Bible and how even Yahweh swears throughout, and how you can almost chart the progress of monotheism through the Bible via that.

Maybe I can settle down to read some now. My triceratops footstool and dark chocolate ginger biscuits await!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That triceratops is adorable! 3y
shanaqui @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Right?! I coveted her for months and then my wife caved and brought her home to me. Her name is Matilda... But mostly Tilly. 3y
13 likes3 comments
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shanaqui

Someone on Pillowfort recommended this when I said I was interested in some more non-fiction... and I need a break from The Bookseller's Tale, which just feels a little too pretentious. So I've got started on this. Not very far in yet, but finding it engaging and well-structured!

NB: She doesn't censor any profanity, including racial slurs. I know some people feel racial slurs should always be censored, so this is worth knowing.

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julesG
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First written appearance of the F-word found in Scottish manuscript. Not from the tagged book.

The Scotsman: https://www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/scotlands-claim-fame-birthplace-f-wo...

squirrelbrain It had to be you, didn‘t it?! 🤣 4y
julesG @squirrelbrain Who else? I knew you'd say something like this. In my defense, an author friend pointed me to this article. I'm obviously famous for my love of swearing. Said friend promised to write me into one of her historical romance novels one day. I wonder what I'll end up as. 😜 4y
squirrelbrain Well, we‘re both *so* predictable then aren‘t we?! I‘m trying (very hard!) to imagine you in a historical romance novel....😘 4y
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julesG @squirrelbrain Strumpet, barmaid, cussing society lady, dowager countess??? I'm honoured she considers giving me a part. It's like being an extra in a favourite series. 4y
squirrelbrain 🤣🤣🤣 a bit of all of those, I reckon! 4y
GingerAntics That‘s just great!!! 🤣😂🤣 4y
Hooked_on_books It figures the Scots would claim that word! Awesome. 4y
keithmalek Foul-Mouthed Child Loves Taste of Soap; Parents Puzzled on How to Discipline https://medium.com/the-haven/foul-mouthed-child-loves-taste-of-soap-parents-puzz... 4y
65 likes9 comments
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WhatWouldJaneDo
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I did not buy these socks but I kinda wish I had.

TheSpineView I know! You want them, but don't need them!😋 5y
JSW People keep giving them to me 😂😍 5y
Chrissyreadit I really want the Fuck Off pair. One day I will just buy them. 5y
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IndoorDame Yes! I always wish there was actually some good excuse to buy those when I see them! 5y
Blaire I have them! Mother‘s Day gift from my thoughtful husband. 5y
WhatWouldJaneDo @JSW hahaha, I thought of you when I was posting this too! 5y
WhatWouldJaneDo @Blaire good job hubby! 5y
Lcsmcat I‘ve worn mine to book club so often hat one of the members calls them my “book club socks.” 5y
JSW @WhatWouldJaneDo I love that!!! 😂😂😂🤷🏻‍♀️😂😂😂 5y
Kimberlone I have these socks and love them! 5y
keithmalek You should have your mouth washed out with soap. Unless you're like this kid, who likes that sort of thing for some reason. https://medium.com/the-haven/foul-mouthed-child-loves-taste-of-soap-parents-puzz... 4y
33 likes11 comments
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jpmcwisemorgan

Ok, I don‘t know why I didn‘t know this book exists so now I need to read it. The real reason I‘m posting is because I‘m sitting at a bar and one of the group has discovered that there‘s actual #dinoporn videos. When we do the #dinoporn readalong in March I‘m NOT including videos. Sorry to anyone who would like that included. You‘re on your own. Much love!

Bookzombie 😂😂 6y
GlassAsDiamonds You know, I just scrolled past a post of a perfectly innocent graphic novel cover of a perfectly innocent girl making friends with a perfectly innocent dinosaur and that first thing my now clearly warped brain did was think #dinoporn 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ I‘m broken I tell you, broken. 😉😂😉 6y
jpmcwisemorgan @GlassAsDiamonds Sorry, not sorry. 🤷‍♀️ 6y
32 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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TheCanuckReader
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You know you want my socks! #illgrowupsomeday #sockenvy #sorrynotsorry :)

Reviewsbylola Perfect! 🙌🏻 6y
Bakingbookworm My husband showed me these socks online today. I‘m thinking I need a pair. Wish they had the saying on the bottom of the socks. 6y
Lauren.Archer Ha, I just got these socks yesterday! 6y
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Reecaspieces I have these....they are my fav! 6y
StaceyKondla Where do you buy these wonderful socks? 6y
TheCanuckReader I found them in a local gift store. ...screaming my name :) 6y
Mariposa_Bookworm I have the same pair! ❤️ 6y
minkyb Winner! 6y
BookNAround I never wear socks but I just might wear these!!! 6y
TheCanuckReader I only wear socks from October to spring :) 6y
bibliobliss I totally do!!! 🤗😊 6y
63 likes12 comments
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Mommamanzi
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I just got a huge package in the mail. I may have scared the kids and neighbors by the scream of joy as I picked it up. Thank you thank you!!!! #summersantagoespostal

tpixie Yippee !! 7y
45 likes2 comments
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KateHeartfield
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You can tell I'm having a fun writing day when this is the research book I have closest to hand.

1 comment
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keithmalek
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Reviewsbylola 😂😂😂 7y
3 likes1 stack add1 comment
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keithmalek

Euphemistic swear words from the Victorian era: Bagpipe: blowjob. Gamauche: Borrowed from the French for "mouth on genitals." Huffle: Oral sex. Tip the velvet: cunnilingus. Victorian words for penis: Arse opener, arse wedge, beard splitter, chinkstopper, Thomas, man Thomas. Vagina: Monosyllable, quim, commodity (what a woman has to offer in the free market). Intercourse: Roger, Have your greens. Bushelbubby: A woman with large breasts.

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keithmalek

Connections between sex and violence: Banging, drilling, nailing. The Latin word vagina, in fact, originally referred to the sheath of a sword. This connection between sex and violence was quite literal in the Perusine War. The opposing sides lobbed sling bullets at one another engraved with messages such as "Fulvia's clitoris" and "Octavian sucks cock."

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keithmalek

Boxing the Jesuit: Eighteenth century slang for masturbation.

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keithmalek

Equivocation: A way to deceive your listener without lying, through the use of double meanings or mental reservation (words thought but not spoken ). "Thank you for the book. I will waste no time reading it."

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keithmalek

Mutunus Tutunus: A Roman god who may have been nothing but a giant erect penis, statues of whom brides had to sit on as part of the wedding ceremony. The erect penis symbolized and was supposed to guarantee, fertility.

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keithmalek

Picatrix: In Roman times, a young female slave whose job was to arrange her mistress's public hair.

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keithmalek

Other times, though, only a swear word or two can accomplish what we need. To put it another way, language is a tool box and swearing is a hammer. You can try to pound a nail into a piece of wood with the handle of your screwdriver, with your wrench, or with your pliers, but it's only your hammer that's perfectly designed for the job.

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bootknife
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Great book, not always easy to read on the subway. I've been getting some interesting looks and meeting curious people.