Swearing: Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English (The Language Library) - Hardcover

Hughes, Geoffrey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0631165932 ISBN 13: 9780631165934

Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell, 1991

Synopsis

From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms, from the deadliest curse to the most trivial expletives of annoyance. Hedged about with all manner of complex pressures, personal, societal, religious, sexual and other forms of taboo, it remains a phenomenon only imperfectly understood. Geoffrey Hughes traces these two contrasting strands through our linguistic history. His discussion starts with the use of language as magic in ′primitive′ society, the binding oath of heroic commitment in Anglo–Saxon warrior society and the emergence of blasphemy in the medieval age of faith. With the Renaissance came a shift from a religious to a secular idiom of swearing, a period combining rich exuberance in language with severe restraint. This oscillation between institutional censorship and individual defiance continues to modern times. Professor Hughes includes in this broad–ranging survey such topics as xenophobia and the racist basis of abuse, graffiti, the sexual and sexist patterns of swearing, the multifarious forms of euphemism and the curious varieties of verbal duelling known as ′flyting′ and ′sounding′. His book is a tireless exploration of a little discussed but irrepressible part of our linguistic heritage.

About this title

Review:

"Excellent, non–prescriptive history." Literary Review

"Erudite and splendidly researched book ... quite fascinating." Daily Telegraph

"A provocative and stimulating book." Glasgow Herald

"Professor Hughes shows real skill in handling the social history aspect of the book, blending theme and chronology into a digestive mixture." Punch

Synopsis:

This is the history of the lexical underworld of the English language. It details the story of impropriety in language and of the lower registers of the foul and obscene. From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms from the deadly curse to trivial expletives occasioned by annoyance. The book tells of the use of magic in primitive societies, of the binding oath of the Anglo-Saxon warrior and of blasphemy in the medieval age of faith. It describes how in the Renaissance swearing acquired a more secular idiom, and how the conflict between linguistic exuberance and official exuberance lasted up until modern times. There are also sections on the various types of abuse - racist and sexist among others.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0631165932
• ISBN 13: 9780631165934
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 296