Swearing by Geoffrey Hughes

Swearing by Geoffrey Hughes

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Summary

A history of the lexical underworld of the English language. It details the story of impropriety in language and of the lower registers of the foul and obscene. From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms from the deadly curse to trivial expletives occasioned by annoyance.

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Swearing by Geoffrey Hughes

This is the history of the lexical underworld of the English language. It details the story of impropriety in language and of the lower registers of the foul and obscene. From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms from the deadly curse to trivial expletives occasioned by annoyance. The book tells of the use of magic in primitive societies, of the binding oath of the Anglo-Saxon warrior and of blasphemy in the medieval age of faith. It describes how in the Renaissance swearing acquired a more secular idiom, and how the conflict between linguistic exuberance and official exuberance lasted up until modern times. There are also sections on the various types of abuse - racist and sexist among others.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780631165934
ISBN 10 0631165932
Title Swearing
Author Geoffrey Hughes
Series Language Library
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Year published 1991-08-29
Number of pages 304
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.