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The evolution of swearing

Eleanna Swartz

Created on March 6, 2026

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Transcript

The evolution of swearing

The Victorian era

The Renaissance

Ancient graffiti

The Middle Ages

Modern swearing

As religion dominated the scene, blasphemy became the most prominent form of swearing. Vocabulary that disrespected religion was considered dangerous, with penalties ranging from fines to whippings.

Over the past century, swearing has been redefined through casual, everyday use. The rise of profanity within the media has made context critical in determining the weight of the words.

The Victorian era was characterized by strict dress codes and even stricter language. Swearing violated prudish etiquette — as a result, explicit vocabulary tended to be replaced by euphemisms.

A surge of prolific art occurred during the Renaissance, an era characterized by a range of artists, particularly Shakespeare, who introduced creative and clever insults ranging from subtle to vividly profane.

Some of the earliest records of swearing are in the form of graffiti. Found in Ancient Rome, the remarks signal a casual use of profanity in public spaces.

Source: Discover Magazine

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