This document provides an overview of cursing in English, highlighting common swear words and their contextual meanings, while noting the offensive nature of some terms. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these words for effective communication, encouraging practice through cue cards and interaction with fluent speakers. The text also mentions cultural perceptions of swearing in English-speaking countries and suggests utilizing resources for enhanced language learning.

1. How To Curse In English
IMPORTANT NOTE: This post may contain material that may be offensive to some
people. Live Lingua presents this information since it is critical for all people who want to speak
English to understand it. We do not however recommend you use any of these words.
How To Curse in English -- the lowdown
Cursing, or swearing, in English is not a particularly difficult task. Aside from the most well-
known words, which are also the most offensive, of “fuck” and “cunt”, the language has a
myriad of other “swear words”.
Some of these words may be used in polite conversation but become swear words due to the
contextual situation. Further, other words in a sentence may make a word become a swear word.

2. Examples of the above see words like “balls” – a word in itself not offensive – become involved
in a swear word in phrases like “you suck balls”, with balls becoming a euphemism for the male
scrotum.
The word suck is an example of where context makes a word into a swear. Slang and a verb for
suction, the word is perhaps most commonly used to describe the use of a straw; to suck on a
straw. However, if someone else tells you to “suck it”, they’re more than likely not telling you to
use a straw. In this instance, the insult is the insinuation of oral sex performed on a male.
You may also hear individuals say a sports team “sucks”. For example, “those Yankees suck!” In
this instance, the speaker is meaning the Yankees are one of the two following; a poor team or a
team they dislike. “Yankees suck” is a common phrase overheard at the Boston Red Sox’s home
ground but is not said because the Yankees are a poor team; Boston has an intense rivalry with
the New York side.
There are seven words in English considered to be the “worst” swear words, as in most
offensive. Two of these have been mentioned; fuck and cunt. American comedian George Carlin
said shit, piss, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits make up the remaining five of his “seven dirty
words”. The usage of tits and piss has increased significantly since Carlin came up with the list
in 1972, but the others remain offensive. A common strand between those words are their
relationship to bodily functions or sex. Here are some more swear words commonly used in
English:
anus - butt
cock - penis
douchebag - hygene accessory
whorebag - idiot- heck
motherfucking - fornicating with mother
poontang - female genitalia
tit - breast
asshole - jerk
cooter - vagina
dumbass - idiot
whorebag - idiot- idiot
nutsack - male genitalia
puto - idiot
bitch - female dog
dicks - penises
fuckin - sexual act
kunt - female genitalia
pecker - Penis

3. shit - poop
whore - hussy
boner - erection
cock - penis
douchebag - hygene accessory
whorebag - idiot- heck
motherfucking - fornicating with mother
poontang - female genitalia
dipshit - idiot
fuckoff - go away
lardass - overweight
pissed off - angry
shitfaced - Drunk
whorebag - idiot
Fuck could be considered one of the most flexible words in the English language. It can be used
to describe a range of emotions; love, lust, pain, anger, surprise, success and failure and many
others. Borrowed from German, the word could make nearly every single word in a sentence;
“Fuck the fucking fuckers.”
Fuck has become used much more liberally in recent years and, as such, it’s offensiveness has
diminished somewhat. Long considered the most offensive, it’s status is perhaps now rivaled by
“cunt”. Women, in particular, often find cunt to be significantly more offensive than “fuck”.
Here's a great video to watch as a demonstration:
Add visual elements.
Conducting a search for English curse words on YouTube will get you several video results for
both pronunciation and written forms of bad Chinese words. By viewing and reviewing the
words you are more likely to remember them.
Use cue cards
Cue cards are a great technique to use for general language learning. Add swear words, and the
process gets that much more enjoyable. Adding visual cues to the bad English words can help
you learn them faster. Use white flash cards to memorize your vocabulary words.
Write one new word or phrase on one side of an index card. Place the English translation of the
English curse word on the back of the card where you can’t easily see it. Underneath the English

4. word draw a picture that represents the term. This doesn’t have to be a master drawing; a stick
figure representation will do. When you finish, you should have between 10 to 20 visual flash
cards with the English words you want to learn.
This is also an effective way to learn how to swear in English with a friend so that the both of
you can swear back and forth at each other.
How often do English people use these terms?
English speakers swear just as often as everybody else. The culture of swearing in America and
the UK is comparable to that of other nationalities regarding any offense that may be taken,
appropriate use, etc. What you’ll find if you begin swearing a lot in English is that anyone who
understands you won’t be shy about swearing right back – so when you’re out front of the office
going on your tirade, don’t be too surprised if someone across the street joins in on the fun.
Are English speakers easily offended by swearing?
Not typically, unless you’re meaning to cause offense by swearing directly at them. If this is the
case, they likely will become offended, yell some profanities back at you, and potentially attempt
to engage in a physical confrontation.
Putting It All Together
During your English swear word study time, go over each phrase or word, repeating it out loud.
If you don’t remember what the vocabulary means look on the back of your cue card to see the
English translation. Review the pronunciation by watching the YouTube video, clicking on the
pronunciation in Google Translate or listening to your digital recorder. After a few repetitions,
while looking through the cards, you’ll remember the vocabulary through both the audio and
visual associations. Continue repeating the vocabulary out loud until you memorize it.
As is the case with any language learning journey, repetition is key to success. Use your key
cards, practice with a friend, or better yet – do some Skyping with a fluent English speaker. You
two can swear at each other like one of you just punched the other’s son square in the face. Bet
you never thought learning a new language could be so much fun!
The moral of the story is to just do it. Learn the words. Use the words. Then, expand them in
your English vocabulary to cover basic daily interactions and conversations. Practice every day
and we promise – you’ll see some fucking results. Need help with practice? Live Lingua has
native English tutors available to get you chatting with the best of them.

5. Dive a little deeper
If you are looking to take your English skills to the next level, Live Lingua offers a free English
Survival Crash Course. We'll send ebooks and audio files right to your inbox to help you learn
English fast!