Changes

Over time, the perceived offensiveness of some expressions has changed.  Up to the twentieth century the most offensive terms were religious.  Many exclamations we find completely innoffensive are euphemistic renditions of blasphemy.  The twentieth century saw a shift to sexual terms as the most offensive.  Recently racial terms have grown in their offensiveness (the "N" word was commonplace and acceptable before the twentieth century, it is now too offensive even for use in male-only settings).{{fact}}

Over time, the perceived offensiveness of some expressions has changed.  Up to the twentieth century the most offensive terms were religious.  Many exclamations we find completely innoffensive are euphemistic renditions of blasphemy.  The twentieth century saw a shift to sexual terms as the most offensive.  Recently racial terms have grown in their offensiveness (the "N" word was commonplace and acceptable before the twentieth century, it is now too offensive even for use in male-only settings).{{fact}}

   

   

 

[[Category:Language]]

[[Category:Language]]