What We're Reading Now

Swearing Properly

7 July 2026

Barbara read How to Swear Around the World by Jason Sacher and laughed out loud plus learned some new phrases to release frustration.

Tags: barbara read, communication

The swear book was handed to me by a friend who knew it might be useful at this moment. It made me laugh and gave me a project to find just the right phrase that summed up how I feel about the state of our country and some situations the people I care about are dealing with. Scaher said certain curses “provide an outlet for the pain of a stubbed toe to anger over a tax audit or a bad call from a football ref.”

My husband and I were swearers, and yet we did not come from swearing families. In our early days together, we were both relieved that the other was not offended when we tried out a few words that were habits. I think swearing can be a way to let off steam, describe the intensity of your feeling, and have fun if the words are not directed at someone with a mean tone.

When our daughter was three, she dropped a box of cheerios and said, “Shit.” I jumped in the pantry closet and shut the door to keep her from hearing me laugh. I was astounded that not only did she know the word, she also knew the exact context for saying it. I told my husband that night, and we had to clean up our act for a while.

When our children were teenagers we said, “You can curse if you can learn where you can do it and where you can’t. You can’t swear at school, church, around your grandparents or at people. If I ever get a call from the school, your swearing days are over around us. It cannot become a habit that you can’t control in the proper places.” 

In the introduction Sacher said, “…BE WARY. Every phrase in this book is bound to insult, annoy, or inflame those who hear it, and can get you punched, deported, or worse. Remember, it’s always best to swear with caution. But also swear with joy, You’re a human being; it’s your birthright.”

My favorite three-word swear phrase rhymes and ends with the word “duck.” It is quick and comes out spontaneously when I make a mistake or life sends a lesson I’ve not been looking for. It makes me laugh and, especially, makes my daughter laugh. She said, “I bet not many people have an 80-year-old mother who says that.” I’m usually quiet at first in social settings, and I don’t drink, so I have no trouble maintaining decorum, but I’m totally relaxed around my daughter. We thoroughly enjoy a giggle every single time.

As I read the book, I realized I was mostly interested in French phrases because I took French for four years and knew how the words should be pronounced even if, with my slight southern accent, I never did quite do so properly. I didn’t want a long sentence. In Sacher’ s book, I finally found one that rolls off my tongue—“Quel Bordel!” An expanded version fits my assessment of a lot of situations right now. “Bordel de merde!” My second choice was “Casse-toi.” You’ll have to look them up or read the book if you don’t read or speak French. I won’t translate here.

Sometimes life just needs a swear word or three to release tension or properly describe a moment. If you have some favorites or find a few new ones in this book, I hope you use them wisely.

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