UPDATED 05/18/2025
Before you keep reading, know that you’re going to see words some consider “bad words”. In this post, we’re talking all about swear words. I cuss a little, and for me, whether I use these words depends on who I’m with. I’ve noticed that more people are swearing more often. On social media and in real life.
And because I have that neurospicy brain, I went down the Google rabbit hole to learn about the 12 most common swear words and their history. I was intrigued and stressed me out at the same time. I wondered how others felt about swear words too. Here are the four I use most, their history, and my thoughts on how these words can make you feel.
The Kind of Swear Words: Fuck
I start with this one because it’s the most harsh, the most common, and the one that ruffles the most feathers. The word fuck originates from a German word that means to hit or to strike. There was another historical explanation I found much more humorous, though. After the English plague, the Kind was worried about the population numbers decreasing radically so he told people to “Fornicate Under the Command of the King”. While this story might be funny, it’s not entirely true. What is true is that the word fuck was predominantly used as a non-swear word to indicate sexual intercourse. Today, it’s used in that context, but also as a showing of a mistake or anger. It took nearly 300 years to make this transition.
I use this word regularly, but am careful of where I use it and who I say it in front of. Saying it can add a negative feeling to a conversation or increase the anger levels people are feeling. So be careful how you use it.
Swear Words I’m Not a Fan of: Bitch
It’s pretty well known that it’s a term used to describe a female dog, and sometimes a woman. But what’s probably not known is that the use of the word dates back to 1400. Yes, I was shocked too!
This swear word is also quite common. But it’s one I don’t use often because it makes me uncomfortable. It can be SUPER derogatory towards women. If someone does something that others don’t like, the woman is almost always called a bitch regardless if she is wrong or not. My advice, shy away from using this word because of the stress and anxiety it causes.
Is this Really Even a Swear Word?: Ass
This is one of those swear words that always makes me laugh. Mainly because all I can picture is a donkey. The word itself symbolizes a mammal that’s smaller than a horse but has long ears. This animal is thought to be stupid, stubborn, and detestable at times which explains where the cuss word comes from. When someone is called an ass, the person using the term is usually saying it because the recipient did something dumb. But what about the other way the word is used?
Ass also comes from the term aers which is an English term for buttocks. In Europe, this is kind of a term of an endearment. I went there in high school and stayed with host families. The parents called their kids aerses all the time and everyone would laugh.
While the word ass makes me laugh, it isn’t always used in a humorous context. Think about being cut off in traffic or when you see a news story about someone doing something foolish. Use the word wisely and understand the context of how it’s being used before feeling stressed.
The Most Common of Swear Words: Shit
This is probably my favorite cuss word. I use it all the time, especially when I make a mistake, drop something, or forget something. The term comes from the Old English word scitte which means to purge or excrement. Are you picturing the poop emoji? I did too. So if the word literally means feces, why do we use it when something bad happens? Think Shit Storm or Shit Head.
The funny part about the word shit is that while it’s meant to to be used to describe the brown stuff, it can also bring some levity to a situation. You make a small mistake and say it, you laugh, possibly along with others. On the other side of the coin, it could cause people to mistrust you and lack confidence in you because you’re acknowledging that you made a mistake.
So how do swear words make you feel? These few examples can fuel anger already felt, add more negative context to a situation, or can be a good thing and add lightness to a bad situation. Do some thinking about how these (and other) words make you feel. If using them makes you feel like you, then keep using them! Be authentically you. Don’t change to fit the image the world has of you or how you should be. My only caution is to be mindful of where you’re using them, how you’re using them, and who you’re using them with. If you want to go down the rabbit hole like I did and want even more history on cuss words, check out History of Swear Words on Netflix.
