Curse word curse words

Russian curse words are the best way to get rid of frustration and negativity.

The Russian language is so poetic and melodic that even their curse words sound differently. 

So, stay here because we are going to show you the 20 hilarious and ‘poetic’ Russian curse words. In the end of the article, you’ll find a spreadsheet with all these swear words, their pronunciation and translation. Stay tuned!

If you want to learn to speak this poetic language, then don’t wait anymore. Book a lesson with a
Russian tutor on Justlearn.

Please have in mind that this article is for fun and educational purposes.

????? (Blyat’)

Meaning: wh*re

The word originates from the 19th century, where
the root of the word means ‘to wander around.’ It actually referred to a woman who sleeps around.

Over time, people started using it to offend someone, especially women, since it’s considered quite rude.

Let’s take a look at the following example: ?? ??, ?????? ?????! ( Ah, ti’ yebanaya blyat’)  Oh, you f*cking wh*re!’ As you might see from the translation, it is pretty offensive.

????? (Gav-no)

Meaning: sh*t

Just like in English, this word isn’t a real offensive cuss word in Russian either. 

It can be used to express your negativity, anger, or frustration or when something unpredictable comes up.

?????? (Gan-don)

Meaning: Condom

If you say ‘gandon’ in Russian to someone, it means that you saying they’re weak, annoying, and depending on the occasion, even very stupid. 

????? (Yebat‘)

Meaning: F*ck

This is a Russian verb in the meaning ‘to copulate.’

Figuratively speaking, this cuss word is used to refer to an annoying person, who’s being unpleasant.

Russian people tend to use the phrase ‘zhizn’ ebet meya,’ which means ’life is f*cking me.’

From this verb, one more word is commonly used, and it can be enough to offend someone, but also to free you from frustration, negativity, and anger. It is ‘???????? (otyebis’), which means ‘f*ck off.’

???? (Zhopa)

Meaning: a*s/ arse

Depending on the tone you will use with this word, it doesn’t have to be offensive at all. 

Even if it is translated as ‘arse’ the best equivalent for this word can be when you are calling someone ‘brat.’ It’s mainly used for younger kids.

Here are some examples where you can use this one as a swear word:

• ??????´? ???´ ??´??!( Pocelyi moy zhopu)- Kiss my ass!
• ?????´?? ??´??! (Podvin’ zhopoo)- Move your ass!
• ?? ???? ??´???! ( Ne bud’ zhopoyi)- Don’t be an asshole!

??? (Loh)

Meaning: Stupid or sucker

If you tell someone that they’re a sucker in English, chances are they wouldn’t be offended much. 

In Russian, however, the situation is different. Using this word can be very offensive, and if you say it to someone, they might think that you want to harm them.

?????? ???? (Loshad’ mochy)

Meaning: Horse pee hole! 

Yes, ‘pee hole’ in Russian is often used as a curse word. 

The meaning of the phrase is from ‘pee like a rushing racehorse.’ Why ‘horse’? According to some Russian sayings, in the

Soviet period, this had a negative connotation. Russian trainers, that is Russian mafia, cheated by giving horses a lot of water. Because of the water, they were becoming heavy, but also more nervous and, therefore, faster so that they can finish the race and pee right after the race.

???? ??????? (Mochy Perhot’)

Meaning: Pee hole dandruff

The phrase is successfully translated into English, but you still don’t get it, do you? Yes, this curse word is one of those where there is no logic at all.

However, in Russian, it’s pretty commonly used. It isn’t offensive, but if you start using it with some other curse words, then be careful, because you can get in trouble.

????? (Mudak)

Meaning: sh*thead

While the word ‘blyat’ is mainly used for women, the word ‘mudak’ is used only for men. It can be explained as a castrated pig. 

According to some linguistics, this word originates from the Sanskrit language in the meaning ‘idiot.’ Therefore, it’s no wonder why this word is used in an insulting way.

You can use the verb ‘mudak’ when someone’s behavior is annoying or unpleasant.

??????? ?? ?????! (Otyebis ot menya!)

Meaning: Get the f*ck away from me

We think that the translation speaks for itself. 

When you are mad at someone, or when someone is really annoying, this curse phrase is the best to release that negativity out.

????????? (Razvalyuha)

Meaning: Car which falls apart as it goes

The meaning of the word explains a lot. You can 

use it in many different situations but  be careful because it may seem pretty offensive.

?????? (Pizdets)

Meaning: Damn it

This word originates from ‘vulva.’ Over time, it distorted to ‘pizdets.’ Perhaps today it isn’t used so often as it was ten years ago, but it still belongs to the group of Russian curse words. 

Like the English equivalent ‘damn it,’ it can be used on different occasions, or to express surprise or an exclamation like in the sentence ‘Vot eto pizdets!’

??????? (Svolach’)

Meaning: scum or jerk

It’s an old swear word which dates back from the Middle Age.

At first, it was used for animals that are dragged to trash. 

Today, it’s a quite strong and offensive word to say and refers to a person that did something unpleasant or nasty.

????? (Srat’)

Meaning: To sh*t

Literally, this word can be translated as ‘to sh*t.’ Since in English it doesn’t refer to swearing, the better equivalent is ‘you don’t give a sh*t,’ in the meaning ‘you don’t care at all.’

There are different variants in Russian that include the verb ‘srat’ such as ‘?????´?? (nasrat’),’ which can mean ‘not to care for’ and ‘??????´????(obosrat’sya),’  in the meaning ‘to sh*t oneself.’ Here is an example of how this word can be used in the sentence: ??? ?????´?? ?? ???? ???´??? ( Mnye nastrat’ na tvayo mneniye)-  I don’t care about your opinion.

???? (Suka)

Meaning: B*tch

Literally, this term describes a female dog and used that way, it isn’t offensive, nor can it be defined as a curse word. Just like the English translation, the word ‘???? (Su-ka)’ is used in an offensive way to refer to a woman. It can be used for men, though rarely and when you want to use it towards men, it has to be the perfect occasion for it.

For example, many people often use the following sentence: ‘?????´? ???? ???, ??´??! (Zakroyi svoyi rot, suka!),’ which means ‘Shut your mouth, bitch!’

?? ??????????? (Ti degheneraat)

Meaning: You’re a degenerate

Telling someone that they are a degenerate, whether you are using it to insult someone or just to sound fun, it’s not something that you should do. Among Russian phrases, this one can be pretty offensive, so don’t use it too often.

??????? (Ublydok)

Meaning: Bastard

The word perfectly fits the English translation and it means ‘bastard.’ Therefore, it’s used in the same way. 

??? (Hooy)

Meaning: D*ck

Russian call it ‘the mother of swear words.’ 

This one is so commonly used that almost everyone used it at one point. It is, however, quite offensive. If you don’t want to repeat yourself, instead of this word, you may see the word ‘??´?? (zhoopa)’

So, depending on the situation, it can have different meanings, though similar ones. Let’s take a look at several examples:

• ????? ( huyevo) — shitty, awful
• ??? (???´) ???´??. (Huyi, yevo znaet’)-  I don’t know. / Who fucking knows.
• ??? ??´???! (Mnye pohuyu)-  I don’t give a fuck!
• ??? ????´! (? ??´??, ? ???) (Hooy tebe (v zhopu, b rot)) —  You’ll get nothing! (literally, it means A di*k for you! (in the a*s, in the mouth))

????????? ??? (Chertovsky dno)

Meaning: F*cking bottom

This phrase is not insulting, at least in most of the situations. It means that someone’s situation in life is so bad that it can’t get any worse, that is the bottom.

???? ??????? (Chush sobachya)

Meaning: Bullsh*tter or Bullsh*it

Calling someone a ’bullsh*tter’ can be quite insulting. So, be careful when and how you use it.

Russian Curse Words 

To make it easier for you, we’ve made a table sheet with all these 20 Russian swear words.

In the first column you may find a cuss word in Russian, written in Cyrillic, in the second we’ve put pronunciation to make it easier to read and pronounce the word or phrase, and in the third column, Russian to English translation.

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed reading about Russian swear words. They are so much different from any other curse words, but still powerful enough. 

Remember that swear words are a part of every language. But be careful when using them because, as you saw, some of them can be pretty offensive and you might get in a tough situation.

The main thing about Russian bad words is the attitude. Russian words sound strong, as we already said ‘poetic,’ and they have a powerful effect. So, besides being careful, take a proper attitude while swearing.

Russian is one of the most colorful languages. To make sure we are telling the truth, book a lesson with a
Russian tutor on Justlearn.

Parental Guidance Cheat Sheet

This Cheat Sheet contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. It mainly contains English slang words, nothing offensive but it is informal, only to be used in small talk with friends.

PG 13 Cheat Sheet — Forbidden to Under 13 Years Old

This Cheat Sheet contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 13 years old. It mainly contains English strong words used in everyday life, recommended to be used with caution and friends only. (Example: Fool, Idiot, Stupid, Lame…)

Rated-R Cheat Sheet — Forbidden to Under 17 Years Old

This Cheat Sheet is specifically designed to be downloaded by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 18. It mainly contains English curse words, insulting expressions that will make you sound vulgar. (Example: Damn it, Bastard, What the F***, F words…)

Russians are usually portrayed in cartoons or comics for their excessive alcoholic drinking along with other stereotypes, but one thing that Russians are not depicted internationally is for their rich language. The Russian language is full of different words, synonyms, and adjectives that cannot be found in several other languages. But, the first thing a person wants to learn when studying a foreign language is CURSE WORDS.

Russian is known for its wealth of curse words along with the “clean language” of Russian. 

 Also known as мат in Russian, the Russian language of cursing is extensive and popular amongst several different age groups, even in St.Petersburg, Russia’s cultural capital. Cursing is particularly popular amongst teens, middle-aged men, and others who are enjoying a good time at a pub or club. When in St. Petersburg, or any other Russian city, be aware of using swear words in public. These curse words are particularly offensive around the older generation, and certainly amongst women in public. Be aware also if using curse words in Russian, to only use them with your good friends and not in public. Say the wrong word around the wrong person, and the situation could become very dangerous. Here are a few curse words to be aware of in daily Russian life. Say these words with caution!

DISCLAIMER: If you proceed to this section, please exercise caution, as Russian curse words are given WITH English equivalents!!!

 Сука (pronounced: suka) — bitch — она сука — she’s a bitch

Сволочь — (pronounced: svolach) — bastard — вот он сволочь — wow, he’s a bastard…

Пиздец — (pronounced: pizdets) — expression used in surprise or anger, means fuck/fucking

Ебать — (pronounced: jebat’) — fuck — Ебать ты умный — fuck, you are such a smartass!

Говно — (pronounced: gavno) — shit — я в говно — I am in the shit, used when drunk (shitfaced)

Мудак — (pronounced: mudak) — asshole or motherfucker — ну ты мудак — you are such an asshole!

Блядь — (pronounced: blyat’) — whore, can also be used for fuck — блядь, я упал на эскалаторе — fuck, I fell on the escalator. 

Шлюха — (pronounced: shlyuha) — whore

Иди на хуй — (pronounced: idi na huj) — fuck off. Read more on the RUSSIAN F-WORD

О

Отъебитесь (pronounced: Оt’ebites’,) — fuck off (plural), отъебись — singular

American guy trying to curse in Russian. =) 

Иди на хуй, поганая шлюха (pronounced: idi na huj paganaya shlyuha) — fuck off, you fucking bitch!

SPECIAL OFFER:

This is a PDF file of one of the most popular books about Russian slang ever written in the English language. All you need to do in order to get this book is subscribe to our Newsletter, and we will email the book to you within 24 hours. Each person will get this book, no one will be left out. Take advantage of our offer now — simply enter your email address in the right upper corner of the website and enjoy reading! GET THE BOOK NOW

Best,

St Petersburg Guide Team

St-Petersburg Guide’s Popular:

• Cheap Accommodation in St Petersburg
• Russian Visa Invitation
• Russian Train Tickets

Profanity, also known as cursing, cussing, swearing, bad language, foul language, obscenities, expletives or vulgarism, is a socially offensive use of language.^[1] Accordingly, profanity is language use that is sometimes deemed rude, obscene, or culturally offensive; in certain religions, it constitutes sin.^[2] It can show a debasement of someone or something,^[3] or be considered an expression of strong feeling towards something. Some words may also be used as intensifiers.

In its older, more literal sense, «profanity» refers to a lack of respect for things that are held to be sacred, which implies anything inspiring or deserving of reverence, as well as behaviour showing similar disrespect or causing religious offense.^[4]

Etymology[edit]

The term profane originates from classical Latin profanus, literally «before (outside) the temple», pro meaning ‘outside’ and fanum meaning ‘temple’ or ‘sanctuary’. The term profane carried the meaning of either «desecrating what is holy» or «with a secular purpose» as early as the 1450s.^[5][6] Profanity represented secular indifference to religion or religious figures, while blasphemy was a more offensive attack on religion and religious figures, considered sinful, and a direct violation of The Ten Commandments in the majority-Christian Western world. Moreover, many Bible verses speak against swearing.^[7] In some countries, profanity words often have pagan roots that after Christian influence were turned from names of deities and spirits to profanity and used as such, like famous Finnish profanity word perkele, which was believed to be an original name of the thunder god Ukko, the chief god of the Finnish pagan pantheon.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Profanities, in the original meaning of blasphemous profanity, are part of the ancient tradition of the comic cults which laughed and scoffed at the deity or deities: an example of this would be Lucian’s Dialogues of the Gods satire.^[12]: 110

English[edit]

In English, swear words and curse words like shit have a Germanic root,^[13] as likely does fuck,^[14] though damn and piss come from Old French and ultimately Latin. The more technical and polite alternatives are often Latin in origin, such as defecate or excrete (for shit) and fornicate or copulate (for fuck). Due to the stereotype of English profanity being largely Germanic, profanity is sometimes referred to colloquially as «Anglo-Saxon», in reference to the oldest form of English.^[15] This is not always the case. The word «wanker» is considered profane in Britain, but it dates only to the mid-20th century.^[16][17]

History[edit]

Words currently considered curse words or profanity were common parlance in medieval English.^[18] In the Elizabethan era, some playwrights, like Shakespeare, largely avoided direct use of these words, but others, like Ben Jonson, did use them in his plays.^[19] The word fuck was likely first used in English (borrowed) in the 15th century, though the use of shit in English is much older, rooted in the Proto-Germanic word skit-, then evolved in Middle English to the word schitte, meaning excrement, and shiten, to defecate. Another profanity, damn, has its origins in Latin, with the word damnum meaning ‘to damage, hurt or harm’.^[20]

Research[edit]

Analyses of recorded conversations circa 1972 revealed that an average of roughly 80–90 words that a person spoke each day — 0.5% to 0.7% of all words — were curse words, with usage varying from 0% to 3.4%.^[21] In comparison, first-person plural pronouns (we, us, our) make up 1% of spoken words.^[22]

A three-country poll conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion in July 2010 found that Canadians swear more often than Americans and British when talking to friends, while Britons are more likely than Canadians and Americans to hear strangers swear during a conversation.^[23]

Swearing performs certain psychological functions, and uses particular linguistic and neurological mechanisms; all these are avenues of research. New York Times author Natalie Angier notes that functionally similar behavior can be observed in chimpanzees, and may contribute to our understanding.^[24] Angier also notes that swearing is a widespread but perhaps underappreciated anger management technique; that «Men generally curse more than women, unless said women are in a sorority, and that university provosts swear more than librarians or the staff members of the university day care center».^[24]

Keele University researchers Stephens, Atkins, and Kingston found that swearing relieves the effects of physical pain.^[25] Stephens said «I would advise people, if they hurt themselves, to swear».^[26] However, the overuse of swear words tends to diminish this effect.^[26] The Keele team won the Ig Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 for their research.

A team of neurologists and psychologists at the UCLA Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research suggested that swearing may help differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from frontotemporal dementia.^[27]

Neurologist Antonio Damasio noted that despite the loss of language due to damage to the language areas of the brain, patients were still often able to swear.^[28]

A group of researchers from Wright State University studied why people swear in the online world by collecting tweets posted on Twitter. They found that cursing is associated with negative emotions such as sadness (21.83%) and anger (16.79%), thus showing people in the online world mainly use curse words to express their sadness and anger towards others.^[29][30]

An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Warsaw investigated bilingual swearing, and how it is easier to swear in a foreign language, finding that bilinguals strengthen the offensiveness of profanities when they switch into their second language, but soften it when they switch into their first tongue, doing both statistically significantly only in the case of ethnophaulisms (ethnic slurs), leading the scientists to the conclusion that switching into the second language exempts bilinguals from the social norms and constraints (whether own or socially imposed) such as political correctness, and makes them more prone to swearing and offending others.^[31]

Types[edit]

According to Steven Pinker, there are five possible functions of swearing:^[32]

• Abusive swearing, intended to offend, intimidate or otherwise cause emotional or psychological harm
• Cathartic swearing, used in response to pain or misfortune
• Dysphemistic swearing, used to convey that the speaker thinks negatively of the subject matter and to make the listener do the same
• Emphatic swearing, intended to draw additional attention to what is considered to be worth paying attention to
• Idiomatic swearing, used for no other particular purpose, but as a sign that the conversation and relationship between speaker and listener is informal

In addition, Coprolalia, which is an occasional characteristic of tic disorders, is involuntary swearing or the involuntary utterance of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks.^[33] It encompasses words and phrases that are culturally taboo or generally unsuitable for acceptable social use, when used out of context. The term is not used to describe contextual swearing.^[34] It can be distinguished from voluntary profanity by characteristics such as interrupting the flow of dialogue, differences in tone and volume relative to a normal voice, variable frequency that increases with anxiety, and association with brain disorders.^[33] It is usually expressed out of social or emotional context, and may be spoken in a louder tone or different cadence or pitch than normal conversation. It can be a single word, or complex phrases.^[34]

Slurs vs. profanity[edit]

Profanity is widely considered socially offensive and strongly impolite; slurs, however, are both intended to be and by definition are derogatory, as they are meant to harm another individual. Although profanity has been seen to improve performance or relieve anxiety and anger, and can be used in a lighthearted way, this effect and impact cannot be observed with slurs.^[35] Though slurs are considered profanity by definition, being both socially offensive and strongly impolite, profanity can be used in a non-targeted manner where slurs cannot. For example, in the sentence «If I don’t get an A on this exam, I’m fucked», the word «fucked» is profanity; however, the way it is embedded is not intended to offend anyone, as the speaker is not making an offensive claim.^[36]

Legality[edit]

Australia[edit]

In every Australian state and territory it is a crime to use offensive, indecent or insulting language in or near a public place.^[37] These offences are classed as summary offences. This means that they are usually tried before a local or magistrates court. Police also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to alleged offenders.^[38] It is a defence in some Australian jurisdictions to have «a reasonable excuse» to conduct oneself in the manner alleged.^[39]

Brazil[edit]

In Brazil, the Penal Code does not contain any penalties for profanity in public immediately. However, direct offenses against one can be considered a crime against honor, with a penalty of imprisonment of one to three months or a fine.^[40] The analysis of the offence is considered «subjective», depending on the context of the discussion and the relationship between the parts.^[41]

Canada[edit]

Section 175 of Canada’s Criminal Code makes it a criminal offence to «cause a disturbance in or near a public place» by «swearing […] or using insulting or obscene language». Provinces and municipalities may also have their laws against swearing in public. For instance, the Municipal Code of Toronto bars «profane or abusive language» in public parks.^[42] In June 2016, a man in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was arrested for using profane language at a protest against Bill C-51.^[43]

India[edit]

Sections 294A and 294B of Indian penal code have legal provisions for punishing individuals who use inappropriate or obscene words (either spoken or written) in public that are maliciously deliberate to outrage religious feelings or beliefs.^[44] In February 2015, a local court in Mumbai asked police to file a first information report against 14 Bollywood celebrities who were part of the stage show of All India Bakchod, a controversial comedy stage show known for vulgar and profanity based content.^[45] In May 2019 during the election campaign, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi listed out the abusive words the opposition Congress party had used against him and his mother during their campaign.^[46]

In January 2016, a Mumbai-based communications agency initiated a campaign against profanity and abusive language called «Gaali free India» (gaali is the Hindi word for profanity).^[47] Using creative ads, it called upon people to use swatch (clean) language on the lines of Swachh Bharat Mission for nationwide cleanliness. It further influenced other news media outlets who further raised the issue of abusive language in the society especially incest abuses against women, such as «mother fucker».^[48]

In an increasing market for OTT content, several Indian web series have been using profanity and expletives to gain attention of the audiences.^[49]

New Zealand[edit]

In New Zealand, the Summary Offences Act 1981 makes it illegal to use «indecent or obscene words in or within hearing of any public place». However, if the defendant has «reasonable grounds for believing that his words would not be overheard» then no offence is committed. Also, «the court shall have regard to all the circumstances pertaining at the material time, including whether the defendant had reasonable grounds for believing that the person to whom the words were addressed, or any person by whom they might be overheard, would not be offended».^[50]

Pakistan[edit]

Political leaders in Pakistan have been consistently picked up for using profane, abusive language. While there is no legislation to punish abusers, the problem aggravated with abusive language being used in the parliament and even against women.^[51]

Philippines[edit]

The Department of Education in the Philippine city of Baguio expressed that while cursing was prohibited in schools, children were not following this prohibition at home. Thus as part of its anti profanity initiative, in November 2018, the Baguio city government in the Philippines passed an anti profanity law that prohibits cursing and profanity in areas of the city frequented by children. This move was welcomed by educators^[52] and the Department of Education in Cordillera.^[52][53]

Russia[edit]

Swearing in public is an administrative crime in Russia. However, law enforcement rarely targets swearing people. The punishment is a fine of 500–1000 roubles or even a 15-day imprisonment.^[54]

United Kingdom[edit]

In public[edit]

Swearing, in and of itself, is not usually a criminal offence in the United Kingdom although in context may constitute a component of a crime. However, it may be a criminal offence in Salford Quays under a public spaces protection order which outlaws the use of «foul and abusive language» without specifying any further component to the offence, although it appears to be unclear as to whether all and every instance of swearing is covered. Salford City Council claims that the defence of «reasonable excuse» allows all the circumstances to be taken into account.^[55] In England and Wales, swearing in public where it is seen to cause harassment, alarm or distress may constitute an offence under section 5(1) and (6) of the Public Order Act 1986.^[56] In Scotland, a similar common law offence of breach of the peace covers issues causing public alarm and distress.

In the workplace[edit]

In the United Kingdom, swearing in the workplace can be an act of gross misconduct under certain circumstances. In particular, this is the case when swearing accompanies insubordination against a superior or humiliation of a subordinate employee. However, in other cases, it may not be grounds for instant dismissal.^[57] According to a UK site on work etiquette, the «fact that swearing is a part of everyday life means that we need to navigate away through a day in the office without offending anyone, while still appreciating that people do swear. Of course, there are different types of swearing and, without spelling it out, you really ought to avoid the ‘worst words’ regardless of who you’re talking to».^[58] Within the UK, the appropriateness of swearing can vary largely by a person’s industry of employment, though it is still not typically used in situations where employees of a higher position than oneself are present.^[58]

In 2006, The Guardian reported that «36% of the 308 UK senior managers and directors having responded to a survey accepted swearing as part of workplace culture», but warned about specific inappropriate uses of swearing such as when it is discriminatory or part of bullying behaviour. The article ended with a quotation from Ben Wilmott (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development): «Employers can ensure professional language in the workplace by having a well-drafted policy on bullying and harassment that emphasises how bad language has potential to amount to harassment or bullying.»^[59]

United States[edit]

In the United States, courts have generally ruled that the government does not have the right to prosecute someone solely for the use of an expletive, which would be a violation of their right to free speech enshrined in the First Amendment. On the other hand, they have upheld convictions of people who used profanity to incite riots, harass people, or disturb the peace.^[60] In 2011, a North Carolina statute that made it illegal to use «indecent or profane language» in a «loud and boisterous manner» within earshot of two or more people on any public road or highway was struck down as unconstitutional.^[61] In 2015, the US city of Myrtle Beach passed an ordinance that makes profane language punishable with fines up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail.^[62] An amount of $22,000 was collected from these fines in 2017 alone.^[63]

Religious views[edit]

Judaism[edit]

Judaism forbids the use of profanity as contradicting the Torah’s command to «Be holy», which revolves around the concept of separating oneself from worldly practices (including the use of vulgar language).^[64] The Talmud teaches that the words that leave the mouth make an impact on the heart and mind; the use of profanity thus causes the regression of the soul.^[64] Judaism thus teaches that shemirat halashon (guarding one’s tongue) is one of the first steps to spiritual improvement.^[64]

Christianity[edit]

In Christianity, the use of foul language is condemned as being sinful, a position held since the time of the early Church.^[65][2] To this end, the Bible commands «Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them»^[66] and also «Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving».^[67] These teachings are echoed in Ecclesiasticus 20:19,^[68] Ecclesiasticus 23:8-15,^[69] and Ecclesiasticus 17:13-15,^[70] all of which are found in the Deuterocanon/Apocrypha.^[71] Jesus taught that «by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.» (cf. Matthew 12:36^[72]),^[73] with revilers being listed as being among the damned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.^[74][75] Profanity revolving around the dictum «Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain», one of the Ten Commandments, is regarded as blasphemy as Christians regard it as «an affront to God’s holiness».^[76][77] Paul the Apostle defines the ridding of filthy language from one’s lips as being evidence of living in a relationship with Jesus (cf. Colossians 3:1-10^[78]).^[79] The Epistle to the Colossians teaches that controlling the tongue «is the key to gaining mastery over the whole body.»^[71] The Didache 3:3 included the use of foul language as being part of the lifestyle that puts one on the way to eternal death.^[2] The same document commands believers not to use profanity as it «breeds adultery».^[65] John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, taught that those engaged in the use of profanity should repent of the sin.^[80] The Epistle of James holds that «blessing God» is the primary function of the Christian’s tongue, not speaking foul language.^[71] Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, a bishop of Eastern Orthodox Church, lambasted profanity and blasphemy, teaching that it is «extremely unbefitting [for] Christians» and that believers should guard themselves from ever using it.^[81]

Islam[edit]

In Islam, the use of profanity is haram. Additionally, impertinence and slander are considered immoral acts.^[82]

Minced oaths[edit]

Minced oaths are euphemistic expressions made by altering or clipping profane and blasphemous words and expressions to make them less or not objectionable. Although minced oaths are often acceptable in situations where profanity is not (including the radio), some people still consider them profanity. In 1941, a judge threatened a lawyer with contempt of court for using the word darn.^[83][84]

Impact on society[edit]

While there is no evidence of harmful effects of swearing (for instance, that it leads to physical violence), there is research showing that swearing is associated with enhanced pain tolerance.^[85] A study by Stephens, Atkins and Kingston (2009) concluded that swearing prompts a fight-or-flight response and quashes the link between the fear of pain and the perception of pain itself.

Research by Jay and Janschewitz^[86] suggests that swearing emerges by age two. By the time children enter school, they have a working vocabulary of 30–40 «offensive words», and their swearing becomes similar to that of adults around the age of 11 to 12.

There is no established consensus as to how children learn to swear, although it is an inevitable part of language learning, and begins early in life.^[87] Young school children may adopt various «toning down» strategies when swearing depending on the context in which they are talking.^[88]

A 2017 paper by Gilad Feldman and co-workers^[89] claimed to show a correlation between swearing and various measures of honesty. From three separate studies, the authors «found a consistent positive relationship between profanity and honesty; profanity was associated with less lying and deception at the individual level and with higher integrity at the society level». However, the methodology of this study has been challenged by other psychologists,^[90] and the study is a subject of ongoing controversy.^{[needs update]}

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• Almond, Ian (2003). «Derrida and the Secret of the Non-Secret: On Respiritualising the Profane». Literature and Theology. 17 (4): 457–471. doi:10.1093/litthe/17.4.457.
• Bryson, Bill (1990) The Mother Tongue
• Bulcke, Camille (2001) [1968]. An English-Hindi Dictionary (3rd ed.). Ramnagar, New Delhi: Chand. ISBN 81-219-0559-1.
• Croom, Adam M. (2011). «Slurs». Language Sciences. 33 (3): 343–358. doi:10.1016/j.langsci.2010.11.005.
• Eggert, Randall (2011). This Book Is Taboo: An Introduction to Linguistics through Swearing. Kendall Hunt Publishing. ISBN 978-0757586422.
• Hughes, Geoffrey (2004) [1991]. Swearing: A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English. Penguin UK. ISBN 9780141954325.
• Jay, Timothy (1992). Cursing in America: A psycholinguistic study of dirty language in the courts, in the movies, in the schoolyards and on the streets. John Benjamins Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1556194511.
• Johnson, Sterling (2004) Watch Your F*cking Language
• McEnery, Tony (2006) Swearing in English: bad language, purity and power from 1586 to the present, Routledge ISBN 0-415-25837-5.
• McWhorter, John (2021). Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever. Avery. ISBN 978-0593188798.
• O’Connor, Jim (2000) Cuss Control
• Sagarin Edward (1962) The Anatomy of Dirty Words
• Sheidlower, Jesse (2009) The F-Word (3rd ed.)
• Spears, Richard A. (1990) Forbidden American English
• Stollznow, Karen. «Swearing is bad?». Archived from the original on 2007-05-21.
• Wajnryb, Ruth (2005) Expletive Deleted: A Good Look at Bad Language

External links[edit]

• Most vulgar words in The Online Slang Dictionary (as voted by visitors)
• Francis Grose (1811). Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue at Project Gutenberg

Curse words in the Bible

In today’s world cursing is perceived as normal. When people curse, it’s similar to letting off some steam, relieving a burden, or making someone feel bad about themselves. Our generation has made cursing commonplace, and it has even crept into the church.

There are different curse words in the Bible, with both negative and positive inclinations. In this article we will be looking at the concept of curse words in the scriptures, as well as how we can manage our speech as Christians in this world.

Should Christians use curse words

As Christians, we are supposed to emulate Christ in all our dealings, even down to our speech. Many of the common curse words today do not glorify God. Hence, we are not supposed to utter those words. Before you use curse words, you need to consider their effect on people. You also need to ask yourself an honest question if God would be happy with you.

Apostle Paul advised believers to be careful of the words we use. Our words should build people up, instead of destroying them.

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Apostle Paul also tells believers in Ephesus that instead of us using profane or curse words, our lips should be filled with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:4 (ESV)

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

People who were affected by curses forever

Some people in the Bible were cursed for some reason, which affected their lives forever. The most common story everyone uses is how God cursed Adam, Eve and the Serpent.

Adam and Eve flagrantly disobeyed God’s order, and he cursed them as their punishment.

Genesis 3:14-19 (ESV)

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly, you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

To the woman, he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain, you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

And to Adam, he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain, you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.”

Another incident where someone was cursed in the Bible was Ham, the son of Noah. After the flood, Noah was drunk with wine, and he became naked. Ham saw his Father’s nakedness, and he didn’t do the right thing. Instead, he gossiped to his brothers, who felt ashamed and acted swiftly to cover their Father’s nakedness.

Genesis 9:24-25 (ESV)

When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, he said,

“Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree

Some Christians believe that because Jesus cursed the fig tree, they can use profane words anyhow. It is important to understand the context of the story of Jesus and the fig tree.

In Mark 11, Jesus and his disciples were coming from Bethany and going to Jerusalem. As they approached, Jesus saw a fig tree and hoped that he would find fruit on it. There was no fruit when he got to the tree because it was not the season. Then, Jesus cursed the tree.

Mark 11:12-14 (ESV)

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it.

He found nothing but leaves when he came to it, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

When they passed the tree the next morning, Peter remembered, and he drew Jesus’ attention to the tree. Then, Jesus leveraged this incident to teach about the potency of faith and prayer.

Mark 11:22-25 (ESV)

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Frequently asked questions

Is there swearing in the Bible?

Yes, there were different occasions in the Bible where people swore. They swore by God, idols, their names, themselves, etc.

What is considered a curse in the Bible?

Curse words in the Bible were used to cause supernatural harm. Some curses in the Bible were conditional, while some were unalterable.

Is swearing a mortal sin?

People who swore or used curse words in the Bible were not exactly labelled as sinners. However, apostles and teachers frowned at cuss words because they were regarded as filthy language that did not glorify God.

James 3:6-10 (ESV)

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We bless our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

What is an example of a curse?

There are many instances in the Bible where people cursed one thing or the other. One of the common examples was when Job cursed his birth after passing through several challenges.

Job 3:1 (ESV)

After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.

Another example was where Isaac was praying for Jacob after eating his meal. Jacob had disguised as Esau, and with the help of his mother, Rebekah, he prepared a delicious meal for Isaac.

Genesis 27:29 (ESV)

Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

What is the word curse in Hebrew

Three common Hebrew verbs mean “curse” when loosely translated to English. These words are alah, qalal and arar. These words could also mean oaths, covenants, declarations, etc.

Where in the Bible does it say not to cuss

When it comes to curse words in the Bible, the scripture is very clear on where it stands. As believers who portray the life of Christ, using curse words should be far beneath us. These curse words stand against what we believe as Christians, and there are some consequences that we cannot take back when we utter those words.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Romans 12:14 (ESV)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Conclusion

When it comes to curse words in the Bible, believers are advised to desist from them. Since we have the Holy Spirit within us, our lips should only speak words glorifying God and edifying people around us.

Jesus also warns us in Matthew 12 that we will give an account for every word we speak on judgment day.

Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV)

I tell you, on the day of judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words, you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”