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McWhorter, John H.

Summary: "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...

Format: text

Publisher / Publication Date: Avery 2021

Copies Available at Woodmere

1 available in Adult Non-fiction, Call number: 179 MCW

Shea, Ammon

Summary: "The author of Reading the OED presents an eye-opening look at language "mistakes" and how they came to be accepted as correct-or not. English is a glorious mess of a language, cobbled together from a wide variety of sources and syntaxes, and changing over time with popular usage. Many of the words and usages we embrace as standard and correct today were at first considered slang, impolite, or...

Format: text

Publisher / Publication Date: 2014

Copies Available at Woodmere

1 available in Adult Non-fiction, Call number: 428 SHE

Nunberg, Geoffrey

Summary: Presents a history of the word "asshole"--Its use by World War II servicemen to express frustration at arrogant superiors to its first use in print by Norman Mailer to George W. Bush's use of the word to describe a journalist.

Format: text

Publisher / Publication Date: PublicAffairs 2012

Copies Available at Interlochen

1 available in Adult Non-fiction, Call number: Word Nunberg

Mohr, Melissa.

Summary: "Holy Sh*t tells the story of two kinds of swearing--obscenities and oaths--from ancient Rome and the Bible to today. With humor and insight, Melissa Mohr takes readers on a journey to discover how "swearing" has come to include both testifying with your hand on the Bible and calling someone a *#$&!* when they cut you off on the highway. She explores obscenities in ancient Rome--which were...

Format: text

Publisher / Publication Date: Oxford University Press 2013

Copies Available at Woodmere

1 available in Adult Non-fiction, Call number: 417.2 MOH

Wajnryb, Ruth.

Summary: Has creative cursing developed because we can't just slug people when they make us angry? Throughout the twentieth century there seems to have been a dramatic escalation in the use and acceptance of offensive language in English, both verbally and in print. Just how have we become such a bunch of cursers and what does it tell us about our language and ourselves? A look at the power of words to...

Format: text

Publisher / Publication Date: Free Press 2005

Copies Available at Woodmere

1 available in Adult Non-fiction, Call number: 422 WAJ

Summary: Designed to give users comprehensive conversational language and grammar skills. The basic course (10 lessons) focuses on polite greetings and small talk and is perfect for patrons who are planning a short trip to a foreign country, or for those who want to get a taste of a foreign language and culture. The complete course (100 lessons) is designed for patrons who already know the basics of a...

Format: text

Publisher / Publication Date: Mango Languages 2009

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