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John McWhorter

Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever

€25,00

One of the preeminent linguists of our time examines the realms of language that are considered shocking and taboo in order to understand what imbues curse words with such power--and why we love them so much.

Profanity has always been a deliciously vibrant part of our lexicon, an integral part of being human. In fact, our ability to curse comes from a different part of the brain than other parts of speech--the urgency with which we say f&*k! is instead related to the instinct that tells us to flee from danger.

Language evolves with time, and so does what we consider profane or unspeakable. Nine Nasty Words is a rollicking examination of profanity, explored from every angle: historical, sociological, political, linguistic. In a particularly coarse moment, when the public discourse is shaped in part by once-shocking words, nothing could be timelier.

Format: Hardcover
Published: in UK in 2021
Publisher: Avery Pub Group
Pages: 276
Language: English
ISBN 13: 9780593188798
ISBN 10: 0593188799

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Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever

€25,00