What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves

Product DescriptionIt may be starred, beeped, and censored yet profanity is so appealing that we cant stop using it. In the funniest, clearest study to date, Benjamin Bergen explains why, and what that tells us about our language and brains.Nearly everyone swearswhether its 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. We insist that people excise profanity from their vocabularies and we punish children for yelling the very same dirty words that well mutter in relief seconds after they fall asleep. Swearing, it seems, is an intimate part of us that we have decided to selectively deny.Thats a damn shame. Swearing is useful. It can be funny, cathartic, or emotionally arousing. As linguist and cognitive scientist Benjamin K. Bergen shows us, it also opens a new window onto how our brains process language and why languages vary around the world and over time.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.ReviewA delightful investigation of profanity.New York Times Book ReviewA sweeping book, exploring not just the history of English profanity in words and in gestures, but also the impact that swears and other taboo words can have on the human brain...a valuable addition to the literature about profanity.Atlantic.comIn What the F, a selfproclaimed booklength love letter to profanity, cognitive scientist Benjamin K. Bergen succeeds in bringing me around to appreciate the broader context, as well as the finer points, of the role bad words play in human society.ScienceOffers useful information.New York Review of BooksSome prospective readers may avoid this book because of its subject matter. That would be a goshdarned shame.Science NewsInteresting and insightfulNational ReviewA fascinating journey to the crossroads of etymology, neuroscience and culture.DiscoverFull of cute tidbits you can drop at cocktail parties.... Its a quick read, not a detailed, academic dissection. But dont mistake breeziness for triviality: cursing plays a central role in our lives.Ars TechnicaAn illuminating read, and makes the case for swears as a salutary aspect of our lexicon.A.V. ClubOh, its a lot of fun, and scientifically sound too!Language HatWhat the F is rigorous enough to guide future scientific inquiry, and casual enough to be read by any ordinary bastard with a passing interest. At the very least, this book reassured me of the profundity of my own human capacity for expression when I rolled out of bed last month to find out who got elected President of the United States and could only utter that one favorite curse word.PopMattersThis book is a surprisingly engaging introduction to a topic rarely discussed or examined...Highly recommended.ChoiceA lively study with the potential to offend just about anyone.... From a linguistic and sociological viewpoint, the book is illuminating, even playful...an entertaining...look at an essential component of language and society.Publishers WeeklyA winner for the psycholinguistics nerd in the house.Kirkus ReviewsTheres something here guaranteed to offend everyone (the book wouldnt be doing its job otherwise), but...lovers of language will savor every word.BooklistWhat the F is accessible and engaging, and so brimming with insights that, even a