Nine Nasty Words

Name: Nine Nasty Words
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9780593421383
Price: 34.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

By John McWhorter

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3.94

( 4,185 ratings, 707 reviews)

Summary

Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter delves into the evolution of profanity, exploring how certain words have transformed in meaning and impact within society. As a linguist, McWhorter examines these taboo words through a cultural and historical lens, revealing what they say about human communication and social constructs throughout history, without shying away from their controversial nature.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$34⁰⁰

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Nine Nasty Words

$34⁰⁰

Elsewhere:

~~$37⁰⁰~~

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the evolution of language and the power that taboo words hold in society. It offers an insightful exploration of how these words have shaped cultures and personal identities, making it an intriguing read for those interested in the intersection of linguistics, psychology, and social transformation.

Nine Nasty Words

Description

The New York Times bestseller now in paperback. One of the preeminent linguists of our time examines the realms of language that are considered shocking and taboo in order to understand what imbues curse words with such power—and why we love them so much.

Profanity has always been a deliciously vibrant part of our lexicon, an integral part of being human. In fact, our ability to curse comes from a different part of the brain than other parts of speech—the urgency with which we say "f&*k!" is instead related to the instinct that tells us to flee from danger.

Language evolves with time, and so does what we consider profane or unspeakable. Nine Nasty Words is a rollicking examination of profanity, explored from every angle: historical, sociological, political, linguistic. In a particularly coarse moment, when the public discourse is shaped in part by once-shocking words, nothing could be timelier.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

John McWhorter's Nine Nasty Words is praised for its insightful and entertaining exploration of foul language, blending linguistic expertise with humour. Reviewers appreciate how the book illuminates the shifting power and pleasure of profanity, offering historical context and amusing anecdotes. It's described as a delightful read that's both educational and a source of plenty of laughter, appealing to both language enthusiasts and those intrigued by the cultural evolution of taboo words.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780593421383

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 October 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Avery Publishing Group Inc.,U.S.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 178.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 288

Collections

Education & Reference John McWhorter Non-Fiction Penguin Books Philosophy & Psychology

About the Author

Date- 2005-03-24 John McWhorter is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and an associate Professor of Linguistics at UC Berkeley. He is the author of The Power of Babel- A Natural History of Language, as well as a book about black English, The Word on the Street. Date- 2002-09-17 John McWhorter is Associate Professor of Linguistics at UC Berkeley.

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