where did vulgar words come from?
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A couple of things about language that are important to keep in mind
a) language is a SOCIAL thing — an agreed on tool that people use to communicate with one another. For this to work, the basic meanings of words have to be established and agreed on by society. Otherwise, communication would be impossible.
b) Some fuss about point (a). But in fact, we not only know that this is so — we COUNT on it! This is obvious even when someone complains about it not being socially acceptable for them (in certain situations) to use words they wish to use. But WHY do they wish to use them?! Usually it’s because they INTEND to convey the meaning and feeling associated with that word — including anger, disrespect (shock value), etc– but
In fact, as language develops (and changes) there will be certain words or expressions that come to be used in ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ ways — to inform, encourage, bless as well as to mock, express anger, disapproval or disrespect, to shock and to hurt. And we choose which we will use based on the meanings and purposes that have developed for those words or ‘that type of language’.
So when someone complains that what is “profane” or “swearing” is defined by society — well, so is the meaning of ALL language! It has to be that way. To say it’s ‘just what society thinks’ is silly. Again, people generally choose the words they use precisely BECAUSE the words are understood in a particular way by other people. If they speak an offensive word (vulgar, angry or whatever) they generally do so because they INTEND to offend
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Now about “VULGAR” language
“Vulgar” originally meant “common”. (That’s why the Latin Bible translated by Jerome was called the Vulgate — it was meant to be in the COMMON language, so all could understand.) There is still some of that idea included when we refer to language or behavior as vulgar. It is closely related to “profane”, which means to misuse something considered sacred or special… dishonoring something that is supposed to be honored. “Profanity” refers to language that –at least in certain contexts– dishonors, treat disrespectfully, lightly or as “profane” –that is common or ‘vulgar’– things that are regarded as sacred, or worthy of honor.
Note that this sort of language may not be considered wrong in ALL contexts (though the view of that depends on the society or social group one belongs to). But to use “profane” language when talking about something that is held to be important, special or worthy of honor by the group, is very much frowned on. And EVERY group has things they regard in that way.
You probably are thinking especially about what we sometimes call “dirty language”. In more recent times, certain ‘common’ ways of speaking about ‘private’ bodily functions — mainly ‘elimination of waste’ [defecation, urination] and sexual acts — have fallen into this category of “profanity”. . . and so loosely called “swear words” or “curse words”. They are considered at best ‘impolite’ ways of speaking.
Some think all this shows a foolish discomfort with “earthy” or “real” talk, or even that people have a negative view of sex, for example. Sometimes that’s true. But not necessarily. The idea of ‘profanity’ is simply that it is to spoken of with care and RESPECT, because it is private and/or it is considered very GOOD and worthy of respect.
That, in fact, is the case for words related to sexual acts. In short, four-letter words concerning sex are NOT necessarily considered ‘dirty’, ‘vulgar’, etc. because the acts themselves are thought of in this way. It may be precisely the opposite — that these are considered as things that are as GOOD in their proper place, and SPECIAL, and so to be spoken of with care and respect. Thus the ‘swear words’ themselves are the ones that are regarded as expressing a negative or low view of sex.
Related to this — some speak of those who frown on such language (and views) about sex, for example, as “Puritanical”. Actually, this is an historical error. The Puritans had a very HIGH view of sex, and spoke of what a GOOD thing it was. But precisely because of this they (and their heirs, who sometimes shared their habits but not their values) took care with how they spoke about such things.
Now, going back to the beginning. Note that one typical use of this type of language (that considered socially objectionable, crude, vulgar, etc) IS precisely to express very strong NEGATIVE emotions or attitudes –anger/outrage, disgust, etc., — and esp. in a way that is INTENDED to strongly offend or at least to shock or underline how strongly the speaker feels. That is, people do use the language precisely BECAUSE it is considered offensive or “taboo”.
We cannot go into how EACH specific word currently regarded as vulgar (at least by some or in certain uses) gained that label. This, like most word history, is very complicated, and varies from word to word. These things have, of course, been influenced by certain moral values and how groups have attempted to express them, and be ideas of what sort of behavior (often more ‘refined’, disciplined, restrained) those thought to be member of an upper class, or aspiring to be more socially respectable, or simply as properly educated — but I’m not going to attempt a social history of the past few centuries to sort that all out! (Simple example — the view that it is only or especially objectionable to use certain language around women or children is associated with particular views/values of how to treat and respect women and children.)
