Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing

“For more than two thousand years, swearing has alternated between the twin poles of oaths and obscenities,” Mohr writes in the introduction to her study on swearing. Approaching the subject from a variety of angles—linguistic, historical, sociological, and even physiological (swearwords can help us endure pain and even increase heart rate)—Mohr gives readers a remarkably well-researched report on the little words that can mean so much. Beginning with the Greeks and Romans, the author works her way forward, artfully separating the vulgar and blasphemous (“by God’s bones” was one of the most offensive phrases uttered in the Middle Ages) from the more modern concept of “fighting words” (of which the “n” word is arguably the most inflammatory, according to Mohr), noting the more popular applications and meanings from antiquity to today. Unfortunately, her focus on historical accuracy comes at the cost of readability, as the intricacies of various terms (the bulk of which revolve around bodily functions) become tedious. Digressions on the art of equivocation and the etymology of some of the most infamous curses are highlights of the book, but those looking for a Devil’s Dictionary of bad language should look elsewhere—this is some serious sh*t. 17 b&w images. Agency: Veritas Literary Agency. (May)