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? With wit and insight, philosopher Rebecca Roache seeks answers to these and other puzzling questions about bad language.

When someone swears at you, it can sting. Likewise, sometimes there is no better way to make the point you're making—emphasize, insult, or just plain offend—than to use a swear. What explains the magical power of swearwords? Why are they so good at offending people? To understand swearwords' pow...