
Nine Nasty Words
by John McWhorter
Title:
Nine Nasty Words
Author:
John McWhorter
Format:
Paperback
Number of pages:
288 pages
Publisher:
Penguin Putnam Inc
ISBN-13:
9780593421383
EAN:
9780593421383
Publication Date:
10/10/2023
Classifications:
Language: reference and general
Weight (g):
296
Dimensions (mm):
127 x 178 x 18
Publication Country:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Condition:
New
Description
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.










