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Holy Sh*t

A Brief History of Swearing
Summary:

The book explores the origins and evolution of swear words throughout history, examining their cultural significance and the ways in which they reflect societal taboos. It delves into the linguistic functions of cursing, from ancient Roman times to modern usage, and how swearing has been shaped by religion, class, and gender.

Key points:

1. Swearing's Two Types: Swearing is split into religious oaths and taboo-related obscenities. Oaths used to be serious as they invoked the divine, but now have less impact, while obscenities remain strong.

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