The history of swear words - SHIT

The history of 
swear words 
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Slide 1: Tekstslide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolvmbo t, mavoLeerjaar 1-4

In deze les zitten 12 slides, met interactieve quizzen, tekstslides en 1 video.

time-iconLesduur is: 45 min

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The history of 
swear words 

Slide 1 - Tekstslide

Why do people swear?

Slide 2 - Woordweb

Which English swear
words do you know?

Slide 3 - Woordweb


  • Swearing is not inherently "bad" but we need to be careful when we use it. 
  • It is important to know swear words because they are common. 
  • 0,7% of words used daily are swear words (that's the same percent as we, us, our, ours) 
Swearing in English

Slide 4 - Tekstslide



- People swear for many different reasons:
  • social bonds
  • pain relief
  • stress relief
  • expression
  • to offend/shock 


- Swear words can be: 
  • verbs (werkwoorden)
  • nouns (zelfstandige nw)
  • adjectives (bijv. nw)
  • adverbs (bijwoorden)
  • interjections (tussenwerpsel) 
Swearing in English

Slide 5 - Tekstslide

- People who swear are often: 
  • more intelligent;
  • more creative

- Some scientists believe all language evolved from swearing 
- Swearing acts as a release of emotion - the same as crying or laughing 
Swearing in English

Slide 6 - Tekstslide

- Not all swearing intended to be offensive. Sometimes it is for fun. Sometimes it is expressive; 

- You will hear swear words often when you travel, as well as in movies, music and books: 
  • Even classic works contain profanity (godslastering) 

Swearing in English

Slide 7 - Tekstslide

Slide 8 - Video


  • Etymology - woordafleiding
  • (in)offensive - (niet)beledigend 
  • Manure - mest/bemesten 
  • High brow jokes - grappen met dubbelzinnigheid 
  • Low brow jokes - grappen die makkelijk te begrijpen zijn
  • Parental advisory  - ouderlijk toezicht 
Before watching

Slide 9 - Tekstslide

Watch the SHIT-episode of The History of Swear Words (Netflix). 

Slide 10 - Tekstslide

- Get a piece of paper & a pencil/pen; 
- You get 10 minutes to answer the following questions in English: 

  • What is the difference between being shitty and being the shit?
  • What does ‘getting your shit together’ mean?
  • Do you think ‘shit’ is an offensive swear word? Why (not)?
  • Can you think of/find another expression using the word 'shit'?
After watching

Slide 11 - Tekstslide

Sometimes swearing is not acceptable:
  • In formal situations 
  • Near children 
  • With people you don't know
  • if used to denigrate a group of people
It can be useful to know some English swear words, but be careful when you use them. If you're unsure, don't use them!

Closing thoughts

Slide 12 - Tekstslide