Every few years, a report resurfaces that swearing is good for you. It helps relieve pain and suffering, helps you bond with co-workers. Last night, Brian Williams presented the story again, referring to a new study, but actually, it's an old study. The Brits, known for such colorful expressions as, "Oh, Blimey!" and "Bloody hell!" and "Bugger off!" are responsible for the pain study, mentioned in Time in 2009: "Psychologists at
Britain's Keele University recruited 64 college students and asked them
to stick their hands in a bucket of ice water and endure the pain for
several minutes. One group was allowed to repeat a curse word of their
choice continuously while their hands were in the water; another group
was asked to repeat a non-expletive control word, such as that which
might be used to describe a table. The result was that swearing not only
allowed students to withstand the discomfort longer, but also reduced
their perception of pain intensity. Curse words, the study found, help
you cope."
Well, the SJG doesn't need to stick my hand in ice water to figure that one out. But anyway, back to the experts. Richard Stephens, a
psychologist and lead author of the 2009 study, says, "Swearing increases your pain tolerance." Duh! How do you think I got through labor? "Swearing reduces the perception of pain more
strongly in women than in men. That may be because in daily life men
swear more than women." Oh, eff that! In this house, I'd say we're about even. Either way, I'm happy to embrace any study that says swearing is good for you. This is important sh*t, people! It helps justify my existence in so many ways.
"I swear, therefore I am." - pretty much handles those who frown on use of sailor language in times of distress or disdain. Does the use of symbols/punctuation in swear words have the same effect on tolerance or does it increase the pain reisistance due to the winking smile that gets added to the "I'm not swearing" feint. Terri's mom's best non-swearing exclamation to avoid saying, "Son of a B-word" - "Summer ditch and dirty basket."
ReplyDeleteLove it! I have many substitutes for sh*t, and sometimes use byotch for bitch, but nothing says @#$% like @#$%!
ReplyDeleteI always get a laugh instead of swearing by saying "golly gosh-aroo!"
ReplyDeleteYes really.
yeah, but it doesn't relieve the pain, does it, bro, when you hit your fingie with the hammer! "Oh, golly gosh-aroo," doesn't cut it when you're hurting. Or delivering a baby.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I'm guilty of abuse, I loath the fact that f#ck in all it's forms and tenses, has become as common and over used as like, well, "like." For way too many people, swearing is the is the abrasive camouflage of ignorance. Then again, of you hit your f'n thumb with an f'n hammer, what the hell else are ya gonna f'n say??
ReplyDeleteOnce again Mick, you hit the ol nail on the eff'n head!
ReplyDelete