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I don't think vulgar goes along with basic, the four letter, Germanic versions of fornicate and defecate have a whole range of varied, nuanced, often contradictory meanings that capture the irreducible complexity of lived experience.

The Latin derived versions just make everything so bloodless, so focused on one particular aspect of the concept. They really are the simple words, even if they have more letters.



What many people consider the strongest English vulgarity is derived from the Latin cunnus.


I'm amazed at British TV shows even whimsical gameshows where everyone swears like a sailor. But when someone dares to say the "c word" it's bleeped and everyone gasps.


I recall that the c-word used to be common too, then the idea that it was "the female n-word" was imported from the US.


As someone who has an Australian friend, the avoidance of that word is definitely not universal.


But not so much in the UK, right?


That's a good point!


I meant basic in the lowbrow/highbrow sense, not with regards to complexity, but I understand your point.




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