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Geoffrey Hughes
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An Encyclopedia of Swearing: The Social History of Oaths, Profanity, Foul Language, and Ethnic Slurs in the English-speaking World

by Geoffrey Hughes (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 3 ratings
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This is the only encyclopedia and social history of swearing and foul language in the English-speaking world. It covers the various social dynamics that generate swearing, foul language, and insults in the entire range of the English language. While the emphasis is on American and British English, the different major global varieties, such as Australian, Canadian, South African, and Caribbean English are also covered. A-Z entries cover the full range of swearing and foul language in English, including fascinating details on the history and origins of each term and the social context in which it found expression. Categories include blasphemy, obscenity, profanity, the categorization of women and races, and modal varieties, such as the ritual insults of Renaissance "flyting" and modern "sounding" or "playing the dozens." Entries cover the historical dimension of the language, from Anglo-Saxon heroic oaths and the surprising power of medieval profanity, to the strict censorship of the Renaissance and the vibrant, modern language of the streets. Social factors, such as stereotyping, xenophobia, and the dynamics of ethnic slurs, as well as age and gender differences in swearing are also addressed, along with the major taboo words and the complex and changing nature of religious, sexual, and racial taboos.
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Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    0765612313
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0765612311
  3. Publisher
    Routledge
  4. Publication date
    March 30, 2006
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    7.2 x 1.4 x 10.1 inches
  7. Print length
    573 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

History of Modern Colloquial English, published in 1920, included a half-page discussion about a slang term without ever mentioning it. The word? Bloody, a term considered so taboo at that time that it couldn't even be mentioned in a book on lexicography. More than 80 years later, one can barely escape hearing more-graphic taboo terms on cable television and in the movies or reading them in highbrow publications such as theNew Yorker.

Hughes, a South African English professor, has compiled a fascinating reference work on the history, sociology, and literary uses of foul language and profanity. Alphabetically arranged by topic, the work covers, in addition to terms themselves, a wide range of subjects and individuals: Ethnic insults; Hollywood; Medieval period; Political correctness; and Twain, Mark--to name only a few. The index provides access to words that are not entry headings. Engagingly written and diligently researched, the entries provide helpful information to both lay readers and scholars and include useful bibliographies. The work also offers superb ready-reference information on hard-to-find arcane information, for example, the first time a slang term for copulation was uttered on British television, major dictionaries that include or don't include profane terms, and the case name and citation number of the FCC decision about George Carlin's controversial "Filthy Words" broadcast in 1973.

This work is highly recommended for academic and major public libraries. The steep price, however, may dissuade purchase by other libraries, especially if they already own the much more affordable (although now out-of-print) dictionary Wicked Words, by Hugh Rawson. Donald Altschiller
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Geoffrey Hughes

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge (March 30, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 573 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0765612313
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0765612311
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.55 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.2 x 1.4 x 10.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 3 ratings

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Geoffrey Hughes

Geoffrey Hughes

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
3 global ratings

Top review from the United States

Julian Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars With its overlapping work "Swearing a social history of foul language etc"
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
I have seen some comments making light of this work, It is not for the casual browser but a serious work on the development of the English language and the degeneration of many of our words and oaths into casual vernacular. With its overlapping work "Swearing a social history of foul language etc". It represents a major research into early literature and I was especially impressed with the analysis of Chaucer's works and Anglo Saxon.
I think that dinner conversation with Geoffrey Hughes would last for some years with guest in rapt fascination.
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