021: The Power of Profanity: Does Swearing Make You Smarter?

This week, we tackle a spicy topic—swearing! Is a well-placed F-bomb a sign of intelligence and creativity, or just lazy language? We explore the generational and geographical shifts in profanity, how social media has changed our perception of swear words and whether cursing actually helps us cope. Mom is a little nervous about this one, but we’re diving in anyway!

 

10,000-Foot View of this Episode:

• Generational Perspectives on Swearing: Language evolves with each generation and swearing is no exception. We discuss how past generations viewed curse words as a sign of poor manners, while today’s younger people often see them as tools for emphasis and emotional expression. From our grandparents avoiding even mild words like "heck" to Gen Z using expletives in casual conversation, we explore how swearing has shifted over time.
• The Geography of Cursing: Ever notice how some areas seem to swear more than others? A New Yorker might drop F-bombs in everyday speech, while someone raised in the Deep South might avoid it entirely. We look at the cultural, social and even religious influences that shape how comfortable people are with profanity based on where they live.
• Swearing in Social Media: The internet has given people more freedom to curse without consequences but has this desensitized us to profanity? We discuss how platforms like TikTok, Twitter and Reddit have changed the way we perceive and use swear words. Plus, we dive into viral trends where toddlers cursing get millions of likes—why do we find it funny and…should we?
• Profanity in the Workplace: Swearing in a professional setting can be a tricky topic. Some industries (like creative agencies or oil rigs) tend to take a more 'anything goes' approach to language, while others (like education or law enforcement) expect employees to keep things clean. We discuss when and if swearing at work is acceptable and how it can impact team dynamics and workplace culture.
• The Psychology of Swearing: Can cursing actually make you smarter? Research suggests that people who swear often have a larger vocabulary and swearing can even help with pain management by triggering a dopamine release. We explore studies that connect swearing with emotional intelligence, creativity and even physical endurance (hello, weightlifters who swear to power through their final reps!).
• Context is Key: There’s a difference between swearing to express frustration and swearing to insult someone. We break down how intent, audience and situation all play a role in whether a swear word is appropriate or offensive. Is replacing "f*ck" with "fudge" really any different? Who decides what words are "bad"?
• Weird Thoughts: Are all sweatshirts sweaters? If not, what’s the difference? Also, Gen Alpha seems to have completely redefined the word "preppy"—we try to decipher out why a Stanley Tumbler now qualifies as 'preppy' fashion.
• Good News Story: A creative dad in England finally got a massive pothole fixed—by sticking a pair of fake legs into it! Public works ignored the issue until enough people called in about what looked like someone having fallen in. Sometimes, humor is the best problem-solver!

 

Memorable Quotes:

• "I understand that it's not your responsibility to not offend me. But I also feel like if you are speaking to me in a certain type of way, that it's now reasonable for me to return the favor." – Cole
• “I know some people who cuss like a sailor and it doesn't mean that they're smart.” – Mecca
• “So when you are first meeting somebody that you have never met before, you don't know anything about them in any context, the first 10 words out of your mouth probably should not contain a curse word.” – Callie
• "Just because you swear, it doesn't make you smarter, but not swearing doesn't make you stupid." – Cole
• “Duolingo is not teaching me to cuss.” – Mecca
• “The F word has so many uses. You could use it to express sexual intercourse or ignorance or trouble or fraud or aggression, displeasure, incompetence, suspicion, enjoyment. You could make a request, show hostility, use it as a greeting... And the list goes on and on.” – Callie

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Studies on swearing and intelligence: CNN. The New York Times, The Swaddle, Healthline, BBC, Science Direct, The Cleveland Clinic and The Independent
• Huffington Post's History of the F-word.
• Right after we recorded this episode, we stumbled upon this video about “How To Know A Texan Actually Likes You” that was just too relevant not to share here! 🤣

 

Do you think swearing makes you smarter? Are there words you refuse to say? Let us know your thoughts and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!