Tracing the history of swearing from ancient Anglo-Saxon traditions and those of the Middle Ages, through Shakespeare, the Enlightenment and the Victorians, to the Lady Chatterley trial and various current trends, Geoffrey Hughes explores a fascinating, little discussed yet irrespressible part of our linguistic heritage. This second edition contains a Postscript updating various contemporary developments, such as the growth of Political Correctness.

Swearing: A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths, and Profanity in English

Humor & Entertainment

HUGHES, Geoffrey

Humor

Penguin??Books

Words In Time: A Social History Of The English Vocabulary by Hughes, Geoffrey

Words in Time: A Social History of the English Vocabulary

History

Blackwell*publishers

From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms, from the deadliest curse to the most trivial expletives of annoyance. Hedged about with all manner of complex pressures, personal, societal, religious, sexual and other forms of taboo, it remains a phenomenon only imperfectly understood. Geoffrey Hughes traces these two contrasting strands through our linguistic history. His discussion starts with the use of language as magic in 'primitive' society, the binding oath of heroic commitment in Anglo-Saxon warrior society and the emergence of blasphemy in the medieval age of faith. With the Renaissance came a shift from a religious to a secular idiom of swearing, a period combining rich exuberance in language with severe restraint. This oscillation between institutional censorship and individual defiance continues to modern times. Professor Hughes includes in this broad-ranging survey such topics as xenophobia and the racist basis of abuse, graffiti, the sexual and sexist patterns of swearing, the multifarious forms of euphemism and the curious varieties of verbal duelling known as 'flyting' and 'sounding'. His book is a tireless exploration of a little discussed but irrepressible part of our linguistic heritage.

Swearing: A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English (The Language Library)

Reference

Foreign Language Study & Reference

Wiley/Blackwell

The transformation of words over time The English language has evolved with history, and vocabulary changes have coincided with historic changes. Words in Time: A Social History of English Vocabulary traces how the meanings of English words have changed along with social transformations. The book lets you follow words that represented eras in British history, the emergence of capitalism, and the evolution of democracy. See examples of how printing and mass media have generated changes in language at a remarkable rate, as well as how words are used to advance political propaganda.

Words in Time: A Social History of English Vocabulary (Language Library Series)

Historical Study & Educational Resources

This is the history of the lexical underworld of the English language. It details the story of impropriety in language and of the lower registers of the foul and obscene. From the earliest times swearing has existed in many variegated forms from the deadly curse to trivial expletives occasioned by annoyance. The book tells of the use of magic in primitive societies, of the binding oath of the Anglo-Saxon warrior and of blasphemy in the medieval age of faith. It describes how in the Renaissance swearing acquired a more secular idiom, and how the conflict between linguistic exuberance and official exuberance lasted up until modern times. There are also sections on the various types of abuse - racist and sexist among others.

Swearing: A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English (Language Library)

Blackwell Pub.

This book traces the remarkable reconfigurations that English lexis has undergone in the past millennium. The vocabulary is studied as an indicator of social change, a symbol reflecting different social dynamics between speech communities, on models of dominance, cohabitation, colonialism and globalisation.     Comprehensive guide to the evolution of the English vocabulary.  Well known passages from literature are used to illustrate the variety of English words.  Accessible discussion of Latin, Greek, Germanic and Norman-French languages.  Contains original research into the make-up of the current lexical core of English.

History of English Words (The Language Library)

This book traces the remarkable reconfigurations that English lexis has undergone in the past millennium. The vocabulary is studied as an indicator of social change, a symbol reflecting different social dynamics between speech communities, on models of dominance, cohabitation, colonialism and globalisation. 
<ul> <li>Comprehensive guide to the evolution of the English vocabulary. 
</li> <li>Well known passages from literature are used to illustrate the variety of English words. 
</li> <li>Accessible discussion of Latin, Greek, Germanic and Norman-French languages. 
</li> <li>Contains original research into the make-up of the current lexical core of English.</li> </ul>

A History of English Words

Dictionaries & Thesauruses

The Gresley influence

I. Allan

Detailed history of the London & North Eastern Railway, one of Britain's "Big Four," from its roots in the Stockton & Darlington under George Stephenson to nationalisation in 1948. Covers freight and passenger operations, carriages and wagons (freight cars for the Yanks), civil engineering, signaling, ships and harbors, buses and lorries. Lavishly illustrated with black and white photos, maps, etc.

Lner

Malaga Books

LNER 4-6-0s at Work

Ian Allan Publishing Ltd

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Books by HUGHES, Geoffrey