SKU: 19276735537

In Praise of Profanity

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In Praise of ProfanityWhen President Obama signed the affordable health care act in 2009, the Vice President was overheard to utter an enthusiastic "This is a big f****** deal " A town in Massachusetts levies $20 fines on swearing in public. Nothing is as paradoxical as our attitude toward swearing and "bad language" how can we judge profanity so harshly in principle, yet use it so frequently in practice? Though profanity is more acceptable today than ever, it is still

When President Obama signed the affordable health care act in 2009, the Vice President was overheard to utter an enthusiastic "This is a big f****** deal " A town in Massachusetts levies $20 fines on swearing in public. Nothing is as paradoxical as our attitude toward swearing and "bad language" how can we judge profanity so harshly in principle, yet use it so frequently in practice? Though profanity is more acceptable today than ever, it is still labeled as rude, or at best tolerable only under specific circumstances. Cursing, many argue, signals an absence of character, or poor parenting, and is something to avoid at all costs. Yet plenty of us are unconcerned about the dangers of profanity; bad words are commonly used in mainstream music, Academy Award-winning films, books, and newspapers. And of course, regular people use them in conversation every day.

In In Praise of Profanity, Michael Adams offers a provocative, unapologetic defense of profanity, arguing that we've oversimplified profanity by labeling it as taboo. Profanity is valuable, even essential, both as a vehicle of communication and an element of style. As much as we may deplore it in some contexts, we should celebrate it in others. Adams skillfully weaves together linguistic and psychological analyses of why we swear-for emotional release, as a way to promote group solidarity, or to create intimate relationships -- with colorful examples of profanity in literature, TV, film, and music, such as The Sopranos, James Kelman's How Late It Was, How Late, or the songs of Nellie McKay. This breezy, jargon-free book will challenge readers to reconsider the way they think about swearing.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 08/01/2016
ISBN: 9780199337583
Pages: 272
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.90w x 1.10d

Review Citations: Library Journal 05/15/2016 pg. 78
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2016
Shelf Awareness 07/29/2016
Choice 12/01/2016
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SKU: 19276735537

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Amy
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect for 1 year old
Format: Board book
My child has had 2 of these books now - she loves it!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2026
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dksofct
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Cute Book. Baby Favorite
Format: Board book
My Grandsons favorite book. ( he’s 8 months old)
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Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2026
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Mike
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Wonderful for all the senses!
Format: Board book
Pretty book with something for little fingers to touch on each page. As you touch it, a realistic animal sound is made! (Just be sure to remove the tag from the battery box on back.).
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Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2025
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Lisa A Lucht
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Fun sound book.
Format: Board book
I bought this for my house for my grandkids when they come over and this is their go to book. The sounds are very true to the animal sounds. And very minimal pushing as needed to make the noises.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2025
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wise shopper
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
This one year old loved this book
Format: Board book
delights toddlers!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2026

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