expletives

Expletives are words or expressions used to express strong feelings, often carrying taboo or offensive content. In everyday usage, the term commonly refers to profanity or swear words, including religious, sexual, scatological, or ethnic slurs. Expletives can also be interjections or fillers that vent emotion or emphasize a point, sometimes without literal meaning.

Classification of expletives varies by context. Profanity refers to obscene or offensive terms; blasphemy targets religious sentiment; slurs target groups; and speakers may use euphemisms to substitute milder forms. Non-profane expletives include milder forms used as emphasis, such as heck or darn, which function as softened alternatives in many communities.

Usage and social aspects also differ across cultures, languages, ages, and social situations. Some contexts discourage swearing, particularly in professional or formal settings, while others associate it with informality, humor, solidarity, or strong rhetorical effect. Swearing can be more common in certain peer groups, and its acceptability is influenced by social power, intent, and audience.

Effects and research indicate that swearing can serve various purposes. It may provide pain relief, increase tolerance to discomfort, or facilitate aggression in specific circumstances, and can enhance expressiveness in humor or emphasis. Conversely, overuse or inappropriate use can offend listeners, harm credibility, or damage reputations, especially in sensitive environments.

Regulation and media practice frequently address expletives. In publishing and broadcasting, expletives are often censored or bleeped; the phrase expletive deletion sometimes refers to redaction. Legal and platform policies on obscenity and hate speech also shape how expletives are treated in different jurisdictions and communities.