In Praise of Profanity

Michael Adams (, Indiana University, Bloomington)

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Hardback

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English

Oxford University Press
28 July 2016

Language: reference & general; Language: history & general works; linguistics

When President Obama signed the affordable health care act in 2009, the Vice President was overheard to utter an enthusiastic "This is a big f*** deal!" In 2003, Bono dropped the F-bomb while accepting a Golden Globe, prompting nation-wide debate. A town in Massachusetts leavens $20 fines on swearing in public. Nothing is as paradoxical as our attitude toward swearing and "bad language": how can we judge profanity so harshly in principle, yet use it so frequently in practice? Though profanity is more acceptable today than ever, it is still labeled as rude or at best tolerable only under specific circumstances. Cursing, many argue, signals an absence of character, or poor parenting, and is something to avoid at all costs. Yet plenty of us are unconcerned about the dangers of profanity; bad words are plainly recorded in dictionaries, and are commonly used in mainstream music, Academy Award-winning films, books, and newspapers. And of course, regular people use it in conversation every day.

Clearly "dirty words" serve an important purpose. In In Praise of Profanity, Michael Adams offers a provocative, unapologetic defense of profanity, arguing that we've oversimplified profanity by labeling it as taboo, and we consistently fail to appreciate it as a legitimate means of expressing ourselves, either within our social relationships or in popular culture. Adams skillfully weaves together linguistic and psychological analyses of why we swear - for emotional release, as a way to promote group solidarity, or to create intimate relationships - with colorful examples of profanity in literature, TV, film, and music, such as The Sopranos, James Kelman'sHow Late It Was, How Late, or the songs of Nellie McKay. An entertaining look at the undeniable role of profanity in modern society, this book will challenge readers to re-consider the way they think about swearing.

By: Michael Adams ( Indiana University Bloomington)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 150mm, Width: 211mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 408g
ISBN: 9780199337583
ISBN 10: 0199337586
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 28 July 2016
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface Chapter 1: Profanity: The Great Debate(s) Chapter 2: Intimacy, Exceptionalism, and Having It Both Ways Chapter 3: Expletive and Euphemism Chapter 4: Artful Profanity Coda: Ultimate Profanity

Michael Adams is Associate Professor of English Language and Literature at Indiana University, editor of the quarterly journal American Speech, and President-Elect of the Dictionary Society of America. Adams is author of From Elvish to Klingon (OUP 2011), Slang: The People's Poetry (OUP 2009), and Slayer Slang (OUP 2003).

Reviews for In Praise of Profanity

Adams's work takes readers on a rich ride through history and culture on the value of swearing. * Library Journal * In Praise of Profanity succeeds in conferring profundity on an underdog vocabulary. * The Rumpus * Adams is well placed to explore the various debates over profanity ... ample food for thought and entertainment for anyone interested in the act, regardless of how much they swear ... a fine corrective. * Stan Carey, Strong Language * an amusing look at language usage * Times Higher Education * Anyone who loves the English language - and who isn't afraid of its sharper edges - will find In Praise of Profanity a welcome addition to their personal library. * Copyediting.com *