rachael Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 [url="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090713/lf_nm_life/us_swearing"]http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090713/lf_nm_life/us_swearing[/url] Swearing can make you feel better, lessen pain LONDON (Reuters Life!) – Cut your finger? Hurt your leg? Start swearing. It might lessen the pain. Researchers from the school of psychology at Britain's Keele University have found swearing can make you feel better as it can have a "pain-lessening effect," according to a study published in the journal NeuroReport. Colleagues Richard Stephens, John Atkins and Andrew Kingston, set out to establish if there was any link between swearing and physical pain. "Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon," says Stephens. "It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain. Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists." Their study involved 64 volunteers who were each asked to put their hand in a tub of ice water for as long as possible while repeating a swear word of their choice. They then repeated the experiment using a more commonplace word that they would use to describe a table. The researchers found the volunteers were able to keep their hands in the ice water for a longer when swearing, establishing a link between swearing and an increase in pain tolerance. Stephens said it was not clear how or why this link existed but it could be because swearing may increase aggression. "What is clear is that swearing triggers not only an emotional response, but a physical one too, which may explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and still persists today," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resurrexi Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I know what I'll do next time I get hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 hasn't stopped me in the past Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonkers Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) Everything in moderation. Think about it, why is swearing so common? What has it found its way into the lingo of every culture? It must have a benefit. If you stub your toe, the natural response is to swear loudly and blame the chair, that sudden rush of aggression is so soothing. The lesser sissy naughty words don't cut it. Yay for anger and hate. Edited July 13, 2009 by bonkers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) I use the opportunity to expunge a massive quanitity of negative feelings. However, knowing that the good nuns of my youth, Sr. Ignatius Holy Terror and Sr. Marie Rambo, would get upset if they heard me blast offf a list of "nasty words", I have develped a work around. I needed to use a phrase that would meet the need for release but not upset the good nuns... Fell free to use this phrase anytime... [size=6] Whackada-whackada-razenframitz-blurpie-fizzie.[/size] Edited July 13, 2009 by Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 [quote name='Dan' post='1918653' date='Jul 13 2009, 10:13 AM']I use the opportunity to expunge a massive quanitity of negative feelings. However, knowing that the good nuns of my youth, Sr. Ignatius Holy Terror and Sr. Marie Rambo, would get upset if they heard me blast offf a list of "nasty words", I have develped a work around. I needed to use a phrase that would meet the need for release but not upset the good nuns... Fell free to use this phrase anytime... [size=6] Whackada-whackada-razenframitz-blurpie-fizzie.[/size][/quote] That's very similar from the phrase I used to hear from my dad. I just use the old standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidei Defensor Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 My phrases aren't so pleasant, but they sure work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kujo Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I've always wondered why cussing is considered a sin. They're just words. I mean, I don't see that problem if you use them to emphasize what you're saying, and not vulgarly or in a crude manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I do not think that it would have been wise to tell Sr. Ignatius Holy Terror that, "I find your %%^%$(& homework to be a pain in the &^%&^, and I think that you and your ^*&^%$*^%^% buddies are full of *&(*(*&(*". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidei Defensor Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 [quote name='kujo' post='1918670' date='Jul 13 2009, 08:52 AM']I've always wondered why cussing is considered a sin. They're just words. I mean, I don't see that problem if you use them to emphasize what you're saying, and not vulgarly or in a crude manner.[/quote] I've wondered the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 +J.M.J.+ i try to remember to offer the pain up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveletslive Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 [quote name='kujo' post='1918670' date='Jul 13 2009, 10:52 AM']I've always wondered why cussing is considered a sin. They're just words. I mean, I don't see that problem if you use them to emphasize what you're saying, and not vulgarly or in a crude manner.[/quote] same here. and who even decided they were "bad" words? on another note. this morning i stubbed a toe that i stubbed a few days ago (fail). i screamed a four letter letter word that begins with F. then i felt better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie-Therese Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 1. Guilty, although not nearly so much as when I was younger. Also, I can say truthfully that my feelings toward the high-level offenders have become more sensitive. I might've sworn like a sailor in my teens, but to hear the f-bomb now makes me cringe. 2. The thing that the researchers left out of their study (which makes it junk, IMHO) is that they did not give the participants an opportunity to let out an exclamation of their choosing. No one has emotional responses to tables (unless you're Brick from Anchorman LOL) and most people have an emotional response to profanity. Emotional response causes endorphin rush, endorphin rush causes reduced pain due to vascular constriction. It's a plain old nervous system response. By giving the participants the ability to choose a word, they could've studied the same nervous system effects that probably would've invalidated their study. Pfft for c-r-a-p science. 3. Profanity is common simply because, well, it is common. Swearing has never been the hallmark of civilized or intellectually stimulating society, it is instead the language of the masses. It does nothing to elevate our discourse. They aren't called "dirty" words solely because they are referring to dirty subjects (with a few exceptions); they're dirty because they tend toward the "dirty" people, i.e. commoners. It's taboo, and yet, commonplace. Why is that? Because of humanity's longstanding desires toward castes and social class warfare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 So that's why I cuss so much. I just thought it was because I was raised around soldiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VoTeckam Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 When I was in middle school I had an english teacher that said, "Coss words are a weak mind trying ot make a strong statement." It stuck with me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now