Synopsis
Why are some words rude and others aren't? Why can launching into expletives be so shocking - and sometimes so amusing?In this hilarious extract from his bestselling "The Stuff of Thought" Steven Pinker takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of profanities, to show us why we swear, how taboos change and how we use obscenities in different ways. Why do so many swear words involve sex, bodily functions and religion? What are the biological roots of swearing? Why would a democracy deter the use of words for two activities - sex and excretion - that harm no one and are inescapable parts of the human condition?Taboo language enters into a startling array of human concerns from capital crimes in the Bible to the future of electronic media. You'll discover that in Quebecois French the expression 'Tabernacle' is outrageous, that 'scumbag' has a very unsavoury origin and that in a certain Aboriginal language every word is filthy when spoken in front of your mother-in-law.Covering everything from free speech to Tourette's, from pottymouthed celebrities to poetry, this book reveals what swearing tells us about how our minds work. (It's also a bloody good read).
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The Seven Words You Can't Say on Television
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Seven Words You Can't Say on Television This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780141038728
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The Seven Words You Can't Say on Television
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The Seven Words You Can't Say on Television
Published by
Penguin Books Ltd, United Kingdom, London, 2008
ISBN 10: 0141038721
ISBN 13: 9780141038728
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Why are some words rude and others arent? Why can launching into expletives be so shocking and sometimes so amusing? In this hilarious extract from his bestselling The Stuff of Thought Steven Pinker takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of profanities, to show us why we swear, how taboos change and how we use obscenities in different ways. Why do so many swear words involve sex, bodily functions and religion? What are the biological roots of swearing ? Why would a democracy deter the use of words for two activities sex and excretion that harm no one and are inescapable parts of the human condition? Taboo language enters into a startling array of human concerns from capital crimes in the Bible to the future of electronic media. Youll discover that in Quebecois French the expression `Tabernacle is outrageous, that `scumbag has a very unsavoury origin and that in a certain Aboriginal language every word is filthy when spoken in front of your mother-in-law. Covering everything from free speech to Tourettes, from pottymouthed celebrities to poetry, this book reveals what swearing tells us about how our minds work. (Its also a bloody good read). The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001040042
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The Seven Words You Can't Say On Television
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Paperback. Condition: new. Excellent Condition.Excels in customer satisfaction, prompt replies, and quality checks. Seller Inventory # Scanned0141038721