The English languge in crisis: swearing is losing its punch

In “What the -?,” Ben McGrath, a writer for The New Yorker, explores American’s proclivity for cuss words. One of the most interesting points in the article is that by swearing so often, vulgarity’s impact is minimized.

But even some blasphemers have found this seeming erosion of taboo an occasion for alarm. “Bit by bit, these terms are being neutered,” Ed Conway, a London newspaper reporter, said the other day. “Swear words perform a useful function in conversation, to shock or engage. Once we lose that, where are we left?”

A few weeks ago, Conway launched a “Campaign to Devise a New Swear Word for the 21st Century” on Facebook.

It’ll be interesting to see the results.