With articles appearing in the Huffington Post and Psychology Today, UC San Diego Professor of Cognitive Science Benjamin K. Bergen discusses What the F: What Swearing Reveals about Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves. Nearly everyone swears whether it s over a few too many drinks, in reaction to a stubbed toe, or in flagrante delicto. And yet, we sit idly by as words are banned from television and censored in books. In this groundbreaking yet ebullient romp through the linguistic muck, Bergen answers intriguing questions: How can patients left otherwise speechless after a stroke still shout "Goddamn!" when they get upset? When did a "cock" grow to be more than merely a rooster? Why is "crap" vulgar when "poo" is just childish? Do slurs make you treat people differently? Why is the first word that Samoan children say not "mommy" but "eat shit"? And why do we extend a middle finger to flip someone the bird?
Smart as hell and funny as fuck, What the F is mandatory reading for anyone who wants to know how and why we swear.
show less
Smart as hell and funny as fuck, What the F is mandatory reading for anyone who wants to know how and why we swear.
With articles appearing in the Huffington Post and Psychology Today, UC San Diego Professor of Cognitive Science Benjamin K. Bergen discusses What the F: What Swearing Reveals about Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves. Nearly everyone swears whether it s over a few too many drinks, in reaction to a stubbed toe, or in flagrante delicto. And yet, we sit idly by as words are banned from television and censored in books. In this groundbreaking yet ebullient romp through the linguistic muck, Bergen answers intriguing questions: How can patients left otherwise speechless after a stroke still shout "Goddamn!" when they get upset? When did a "cock" grow to be more than merely a rooster? Why is "crap" vulgar when "poo" is just childish? Do slurs make you treat people differently? Why is the first word that Samoan children say not "mommy" but "eat shit"? And why do we extend a middle finger to flip someone the bird?
Smart as hell and funny as fuck, What the F is mandatory reading for anyone who wants to know how and why we swear.
read more
Smart as hell and funny as fuck, What the F is mandatory reading for anyone who wants to know how and why we swear.
show less
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