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Why do we curse?. Psychology and Cursing. We curse when excited We curse to emphasize a point that we’re trying to make We curse to bring clarity to a point that we’re trying to make As such…we often curse when we’re angry. Sociology and Cursing.
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Psychology and Cursing • We curse when excited • We curse to emphasize a point that we’re trying to make • We curse to bring clarity to a point that we’re trying to make • As such…we often curse when we’re angry
Sociology and Cursing • Hidden structure shapes our actions in ways we cannot see • How prevalent is cursing? • Do we see cursing in all cultures
Sociology and Cursing • Test subjects were seated in neighboring computers watching a humorous skit. • When they could see one another’s heads and shoulders they were more likely to laugh at the same rate as their “partner” than when they could not see one another. • In other words, “I can see your emotions—I feel better about my own”
CURSING THROUGH THE AGES How things change with time…
Curse words – 1300’s • Strumpet = A prostitute • Sodomite = Homosexual man • Gog = God
Curse words – 1400’s • Wretch = An exile • Rascal = The rabble of an army • Scullion = Servant of lowest class
Curse words – 1500’s • Slangrill = Oaf • Brock = Rotten man • Punk = A prostitute • Jove = God
Curse words – 1600’s • Zounds = God’s wounds • Criminy = Christ • Gadzooks = God’s hooks • Sfoot = To have sex
Curse words – 1700’s • Gosh = God • Deuce = Devil • Molly = Homosexual • Heck = Hell
Curse words – 1800’s • Jiminy Crickets = Jesus • Drat = God rot • Shucks = Darn • Gee whillikins = Jesus
Curse words – 1900’s • Zerk = Jerk • Zib = Fool • Meddle = To have sex • Stem siren = Prostitute
Cursing against G-d • Every culture has curses against “god” or the creator. • Why would people curse the creator? • What kind of hidden structure would lead human beings to make such a curse throughout time and space?