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1. 1. Swearing

   A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English

   

   A concise social history of profanity in English, this study traces how taboo words have evolved from medieval oaths and blasphemy to modern obscenity and insults. It examines how swearing reflects power, class, gender, religion, and shifting cultural norms, and how it functions pragmatically as aggression, catharsis, solidarity, and humor. Drawing on literature, law, and popular culture, it maps changing boundaries of offensiveness and the recurring cycles of euphemism and dysphemism.

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