Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever

by John McWhorter

Format: Paperback

Condition: Like New

276 pages

Pre-owned

Why do certain words have the power to shock, offend or make us laugh?

Linguist John McWhorter explores the histories of nine of English’s most taboo words, tracing how their meanings and impact have changed over time. From religious curses to sexual language and slurs, he examines what our changing ideas of offensive speech reveal about society.

Combining scholarship with humour and examples from popular culture, Nine Nasty Words offers a lively look at the relationship between language, identity and the boundaries we draw around what can be said.