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Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing

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Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of SwearingAlmost everyone swears, or worries about not swearing, from the two year old who has just discovered the power of potty mouth to the grandma who wonders why every other word she hears is obscene. Whether they express anger or exhilaration, are meant to insult or to commend, swear words perform a crucial role in language. But swearing is also a uniquely well suited lens through which to look at history, offering a fascinating record of what people care

Almost everyone swears, or worries about not swearing, from the two year-old who has just discovered the power of potty mouth to the grandma who wonders why every other word she hears is obscene. Whether they express anger or exhilaration, are meant to insult or to commend, swear words perform a crucial role in language. But swearing is also a uniquely well-suited lens through which to look at history, offering a fascinating record of what people care about on the deepest levels of a culture--what's divine, what's terrifying, and what's taboo.

Holy Sh*t tells the story of two kinds of swearing--obscenities and oaths--from ancient Rome and the Bible to today. With humor and insight, Melissa Mohr takes readers on a journey to discover how "swearing" has come to include both testifying with your hand on the Bible and calling someone a *#$& * when they cut you off on the highway. She explores obscenities in ancient Rome--which were remarkably similar to our own--and unearths the history of religious oaths in the Middle Ages, when swearing (or not swearing) an oath was often a matter of life and death. Holy Sh*t also explains the advancement of civility and corresponding censorship of language in the 18th century, considers the rise of racial slurs after World War II, examines the physiological effects of swearing (increased heart rate and greater pain tolerance), and answers a question that preoccupies the FCC, the US Senate, and anyone who has recently overheard little kids at a playground: are we swearing more now than people did in the past?

A gem of lexicography and cultural history, Holy Sh*t is a serious exploration of obscenity--and it also just might expand your repertoire of words to choose from the next time you shut your finger in the car door.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 05/01/2016
ISBN: 9780190491680
Pages: 336
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.40w x 0.90d
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SKU: 95830992550

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Rich Coleman
Lexington, US
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Size: 12.5, Color: A Black
Absolutely the most comfortable shoes I have ever had. Extremely lightweight true fit. They are very breathable. They are not a running sneaker. They seem to be very durable as I wore them everyday of vacation while walking around Las Vegas. I would definitely buy them again. Very good buy for the price
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M. Ross
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Didn't fit my narrow feet, but still excellent shoes at a great low price
Size: 11, Color: A Black
These are some of the lightest shoes I've ever seen, but the build quality appears to be excellent. They're tongue-less, like slip-ons, but unlike some, you can adjust the tightness with the laces. The body of the shoe is a mesh-like fabric, which allows good breathability and overall comfort, and the soles are a molded rubbery material with nice treads for grip. I've been wearing a name-brand shoe made very similarly for a couple of years, and these are a very good likeness of them, at a much lower price. I like them because of the light weight and the fabric, which make them feel almost like you're barefoot. Unfortunately for me, I have narrow feet, and these fit more like a D width shoe, with more room in the toe box than I can handle. I'm returning them for that reason. For people with "normal" feet, these make really nice, stylish and comfortable shoes. I don't know how well they would hold up to sports or running, but for walking and day-to-day wear, they're great. I suppose I could grade them down because they don't fit my feet, but I find lots of shoes don't, and many makers use D width as the default for men's shoes. So I'm still rating them as 5 stars.
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Kayleb
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I got the dark gray color. They came exactly as pictured and are decently comfortable but as far as packaging it's very poor. They come in a small plastic bag all squished and deformed so you have to wear them a few times before they take shape again. For the price it's a great buy for some generic work shoes or something, the bottom tread doesn't last long at all though if you're expecting them to last a long time as it will be gone in a week or two if you wear them frequently. Buy them if you don't feel like spending a lot of money on shoes but want a new pair cheap.
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My elderly mother adores these. She had to have breathable awesome shoes for post-surgery and these fit the bill (and her feet!) So i got some for me. Whoa. Comfort! And I love the slip-on ease, b/c sometimes I just need to go, go, and go some more. Love them in black, haven't had long enough for durability, but helpful for my mom in her physical therapy and they're holding up to the worst she can do to them.
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Good overall shoe, great for basic needs
Size: 12, Color: A Black
These are nice shoes. I put $40 arch support insoles in mine, so I like them even more, but they were fairly comfortable even without. They fit well, though slightly large, and seem to hold up well. No real complaints, though made a bit cheaply.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2026

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