Combining intrigue and scandal, the book delves into expressions connected to religion, ethnicity, nationality, politics, swearing and oaths, and includes contemporary issues like political correctness and elitism.Ĭhoice Outstanding Academic Title 2014 In what was a golden age of British advertising, the notion of the 'peacock male' was a strong theme in fashion promotion, reflecting a new affluence and the emergence of stylish youth cultures. Bad Words investigates the most controversial and provocative words in the English language in a way that is both anecdotal and analytical. He discusses the ways such words have changed over the years and explores how a single syllable or two may possess an almost magical power to offend, distress or infuriate. Philip Gooden shows how and why taboo words and contentious expressions, including those four-letter ones, were first used in English. So what are today's 'bad words' and how are they different from yesterday's taboo expressions? This entertaining guide to the shifting sands of bad language is indispensable in an increasingly divided world in which abuse becomes ever more widespread and vituperative. To be insulted as a 'snowflake' or an 'expert' is arguably worse than being called a **** or a **** or even a ****. Once upon a time, the worst words you could utter were short, simple and tended to be four letters in length.
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