The use of profanity goes back to the Roman times. The Cuss words below have unique histories. They reveal a great deal about the existence of everyday people. There are a lot of swear words in this post; if you feel uneasy, please refrain from reading any further. (Be assured this will be the last time you will ever read language like this, but the topic made it unavoidable.)
1. Ass: The word comes from the meaning of donkey, which is an animal
notorious for being both clumsy and dumb. It originated in the late fifteenth
century. To use this word in calling someone an idiot became a popular in the
1580’s. As for slang representing one’s backside, the term arse began to
describe a person’s posterior around 1930. Over time, the pronunciation of the
term dropped the “r” for reasons unknown.
“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a
relief denied even to prayer.” (Mark Twain)
2.
Bastard: This is term for an illegitimate child. This began as far back as
the early thirteenth century. Many sources believe the term derives from corps
de bast, a division of the army who would arrive in town the day before (and
left the day after) army troops in order to deal with different military
provisions.
These men had two days of access to women in
town. This then earned the division the distinction of most likely to be the
men responsible for children born out of wedlock in whichever town they
visited. As for its more abusive term for a man, that didn’t start until around
1830.
“Profanity is filthiness. A person is known as much by
his language as he is by the company he keeps...Filthiness in any form is
degrading and soul-destroying and should be avoided.” (Joseph Fielding Smith)
3.
Bitch: This term refers to the female canine. It is
also used as an offensive term for a malicious, spiteful, domineering,
intrusive, or unpleasant person (especially a woman). This second meaning has
been in use since around 1400. The verb
form of this word was first used to complain in 1930.
“Profanity is the parlance of the fool. Why curse when
there is such a magnificent language with which to
discourse?” (Theodore Roosevelt)
4. Crap: It is uncertain if this word is somehow connected to a British plumber named Thomas Crapper (1836-1910). He did own Thomas Crapper & Co in London, the world's
first bath, toilet and sink showroom, which received several royal warrants for the quality of his products.
It is Middle English. It’s related to Dutch krappen, which means to pluck or cut
off. It also came from the Old French crappe,
which means siftings. The Anglo-Latin origin is crappa, which means ‘chaff.’ The original sense was residue from
rendering fat, or dregs of beer. The current meaning of this word dates from
the late nineteenth century.
“Profanity is the
effort of a feeble brain to express itself forcibly.” (Spencer W. Kimball)
5. Damn: It is derived from the Latin damnare,
which means to condemn or inflict loss on in the late thirteenth century.
It represented damage, hurt, harm, or injury.
The word began as English in use
in the fourteenth century, often in religious context in sinners going to Hell.
It began being used as an expletive in the seventeenth century, and then as a
noun in the eighteenth. From the 1700’s to 1930 it was considered a serious piece of profanity, and was kept out of print.
“I do not use profanity in my novels. My characters all
go to church.”
(Nicholas Sparks)
6. Douche: This is a French word meaning a stream or spray of water. The word began to be used to refer to a female cleansing in the nineteenth century. Beginning in the 196o’s, this word referred to an arrogant, obnoxious, or despicable person.
“Words are a form of personal expression. They
differentiate us as well as fingerprints do. They reflect what kind of person
we are...” (Charles A. Didier)
7.
Fuck: The
word came from languages with a Germanic background. It is believed that it
came into our language from the Dutch around the fifteenth century. The more common Middle English word for sex was swive, which has developed
nicely into the word swivel.
It
is thought to be an Acronym for Fornication under Consent of the King (Charles
the II). This acronym was placed on placards to be posted on doors of couples
who had permission from the King to have sex.
“...if you've never been cussed out by a Siamese [cat], you don't know what
profanity is all about.” (Lilian Jackson Braun, author of The Cat Who Saw Red)
8. Hell: The word for the homestead
of the evil dead derives from the Old English Helle (dating from about 725 AD
to refer to a world populated by the dead). Essentially, the word hasn’t
changed much in meaning whatsoever. In a Biblical sense, the use of Hell is speculated
to derive from Old Norse. This was of Loki’s daughter in Norse mythology, who
was an evil ruler of the dead.
“Dollywood is a family park, and all
families are welcome. We do have a policy about profanity or controversial
messages on clothing or signs. It is to protect the individual wearing or
carrying them (as well as to keep down fights or problems by those opposed to
it at the park).” (Dolly Parton)
9. Piss: It comes from the old French word pisser, which means that which dispels
urine. 1947 was the first year that this word was used to refer to irritation
or anger. To use this word in a phrase meaning to waste time was used as early
as 1628. In the United Kingdom this word first referred to being drunk as early
as 1812.
“You cannot control the thought, but you can control
the tongue.” (Amit
Kalantri, author of Wealth of Words)
10. Shit: It is one of the
oldest Scandinavian words used. It originally meant
diarrhea in cattle. Shit
did not just happen in the countryside, but paints a vivid picture of a privy,
standing proud as a mockery of a palace in the middle of town. For most of its
history it was spelled shite.
This
word began being used in the fourteenth century as a verb to describe the act
of emptying one’s bowels. It didn’t come into use as a noun referring to
excrement until the sixteenth century. [i]
11.
“Watch your thoughts; they become
words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become
habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it
becomes your destiny.” (Lao Tzu)
“Stay out of the gutter in your conversation. Foul talk defiles the
man who speaks it... Don't swear. Don't profane. Avoid so-called dirty jokes.
Stay away from conversation that is sprinkled with foul and filthy words. You
will be happier if you do so, and your example will give strength to others.” (Gordon B. Hinckley)
 |
| Thomas Crapper |
[i] Sources adapted from:
· “Thomas
Crapper” and “Douche” (Wikipedia)
· “Crap”
(Google Answers)
· “How 7
Popular Curse Words Originated, So You Can Feel Even More Satisfied When You
Let One Rip” by Lara Rutherford Morrison
·
“Swearing: The Fascinating
History of Our Favorite Four-Letter Words” by Kate Wiles
· “The Modern History of
Swearing: Where All the Dirtiest Words Come From” by Melissa Mohr
· “The
Origin of Swear Words” (sanityfound.wordpress.com)
·
“The
Origins of Your Favorite Curse Words” Bobby
Box
· “Thread:
F.U.C.K. Etymology” (www.usingenglish.com)
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