Does a foul economy mean more foul language? Yes, according to Los Angeles psychotherapist Nancy Irwin. From MSNBC:
"There are a lot of elements that are out of our control right now and as a result, there's a lot more frustration, a lot more fear and anxiety," Irwin says. "When people feel that, many cuss. Swearing is something that gives us an instantaneous release."
Do you find yourself cursing more?
More from the story:
A 2006 survey conducted by Associated Press/Ipsos found that 74 percent of Americans acknowledged they encountered profanity in public frequently or occasionally and 66 percent agreed that, as a rule, people curse more today than 20 years ago.While not everyone swears, field studies indicate that those who do utter 80 to 90 taboo words per day, out of an average of 15,000 to 16,000 words we speak daily.
While swearing has many uses, two-thirds of swearing is linked to anger and frustration, says Timothy Jay, professor of psychology at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, and author of a just-released survey of the "Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words."
h/t: Al's Morning Meeting
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