Swear Words Are Just Like Any Other Word?

Are swear words just like any other word? Apparently not.

From Reuters:

Swearing can make you feel better, lessen pain
Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:51am EDT

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Cut your finger? Hurt your leg? Start swearing. It might lessen the pain.

Researchers from the school of psychology at Britain's Keele University have found swearing can make you feel better as it can have a "pain-lessening effect," according to a study published in the journal NeuroReport.

Colleagues Richard Stephens, John Atkins and Andrew Kingston, set out to establish if there was any link between swearing and physical pain.

"Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon," says Stephens.

"It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain. Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists."

Their study involved 64 volunteers who were each asked to put their hand in a tub of ice water for as long as possible while repeating a swear word of their choice.

They then repeated the experiment using a more commonplace word that they would use to describe a table.

The researchers found the volunteers were able to keep their hands in the ice water for a longer when swearing, establishing a link between swearing and an increase in pain tolerance.

Stephens said it was not clear how or why this link existed but it could be because swearing may increase aggression.

"What is clear is that swearing triggers not only an emotional response, but a physical one too, which may explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and still persists today," he said.

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Miral Fahmy)

While the entire article is interesting, I thought this quote in particular was interesting: "It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain."

So apparently our bodies really do treat swear words differently than other words, which makes sense to anyone who always thought the "a word is only a word" argument was always rather silly (especially if you're a writer!).

Although, I bet this is true for any word that has an emotional context (mom, dad, jerk, fluffy bunny, etc.).

Haha. This was funny and interesting at the same time. Words are indeed, very powerful.

I've also read a couple of articles about this, it's really interesting. Have always thought swear words are real stress and pain relievers, as it's good to treat yourself to something a little taboo when you need a pick-up (nothing too taboo though!). The way in which swear words are spoken, usually shouted, must have an impact as well, and they usually have such harsh consonants - great distraction from pain!

They're definitely not just other words, as all words are distinct from one another and hold different powers but sometimes I find the way they are censored pretty ridiculous. X

I think the problem was that the swear word came naturally, but when they tried to use a table-describing word, they were all like, "why the freak would I describe a table when I'm getting my hand froze off? F#!@$ THAT!!!"

I usually just make kind of a "G-aaaaaaaUGH!" sound, and that seems to lessen my pain. A little.

dropping the "f---" bomb has never helped my physical pain lesson haha, but it's a great report nonetheless.

This explains why I swear every time I hurt myself.

I wonder if my parents would accept this as a good reason for me to say something like "cr**" when I hurt myself. Haha, just kidding.

Cussing is only for people who don't have a large enough vocabulary to think of another work.

I agree with the person above me.

I haven't sworn out loud in months.

My writings however do contain curse/swear/cuss words though.

I always cuss. Usually when I'm playing video games, hurt myself or just plain angry. It is defiantly part of my daily vocabulary, which I suppose isn't very large

I think swearing is great, but it needs to come with the ability to turn it on and off. When I'm by myself, and in my head (internal monologue) I curse quite frequently. I don't think it's just for people who can't think of a better word-- sometimes a swear word is the best word there is to describe/react to a situation. I do think it's important that people use decent judgment, though. The way I'd react to dropping a brick on my foot in the privacy of my own home is a lot different than the way I'd react in a church or elementary school.

It makes perfect sense to me that the people who were swearing lasted longer in the cold water. The people who were describing a table probably thought things like, "This is silly, I feel like an idiot." Where as the people swearing probably thought, "I'm one tough bad**s."

Plus it's kinda fun, especially if your parents brought you up with the "You must never, EVER say that type of thing!" mentality. XD Maybe that's just me though.

I agree with jenna, but I do curse occasionally. Mostly like meadow when I am playing video games. I can claim I play for fun, but it still makes me angry when I need one more kill in MW2... sorry umm yea

Depends on context in my opinion.

I don't cuss, period. Out loud at least. But, I do tend to type like this when I am particularly angry, "What the f@$k!" or "s@#t!"

I dislike swearing myself, but I do anyway... I started whenever I talked about my father... I don't think it hurts anyone unless you are saying it directly to them, so...