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Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever
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About This Book
One of the preeminent linguists of our time examines the realms of language that are considered shocking and taboo in order to understand what imbues curse words with such power--and why we love them so much. Profanity has always been a deliciously vibrant part of our lexicon, an integral part of being human. In fact, our ability to curse comes from a different part of the brain than other parts of speech--the urgency with which we say f&*k! is instead related to the instinct that tells us to flee from danger. Language evolves with time, and so does what we consider profane or unspeakable. Nine Nasty Words is a rollicking examination of profanity, explored from every angle: historical, sociological, political, linguistic. In a particularly coarse moment, when the public discourse is shaped in part by once-shocking words, nothing could be timelier.
Reviews
"Setting aside fashion and food, much of McWhorter's analysis is grounded in music, film, and stage, the histories of which he seemingly knows as well as language."
"This colorful, trivia-filled etymology will appeal to word snobs with a wild streak."
"McWhorter gives a beautiful account of what it means to engage seriously with language as an individual with multiple personal and professional identities ..."
"high on amusement, if short on salient findings ..."
"But those who love words and the magic and mischief they make in life will be spellbound ..."
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