For F*ck's Sake: Why Swearing is Shocking, Rude, and Fun

Why do we love to swear so much? Why do we get so offended when others do it?



In this lively and amusing exploration of the various puzzles that surround swearing, philosopher Rebecca Roache argues that what makes swearing offensive is not really the words at all: the offensiveness lies in what we don't say. The unspoken-and usually unconscious-inferences that speakers and listeners make about each other are key to explaining swearwords' capacity to shock. Swearing is unique among etiquette ...