Profanity

[infomanpa]

Many written accounts refer to descriptions of soldiers and their officers using profanity in battle situations. In the custom of the times, written accounts of the words used were often "bleeped" out by simply using dashes to substitute for the letters in the word, like d----d for "damned," that can usually be easily deciphered by the reader. I have read about many who supposedly would let loose barrages of expletives and curses when in the heat of battle. My question is how comparable were these words to today's profanity? Were they simply using words like "hell" and "****" or something stronger. I am pretty sure that what was considered profanity in the mid-19th century might be considered elementary student language, today. Or am I wrong? How can I find out what the typical vocabulary of the actual uncensored language was in the 1860's. Is there a reference somewhere?

 

[huskerblitz]

Not sure of a reference but the f-bomb was in use at the time. But I'm sure even modern day would consider the colorful phrases offensive today as well. At least in polite company.

 

[mofederal]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812217640/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

When I was in college I researched the subject. Cursing was a pretty common thing at the time. Most of the words used then are today, but with a couple of exceptions. One book I found was The Anatomy of Swearing which traces the use of curse words through time. Who were you going to offend on a battlefield? If I remember Sherman was good with words, as well as some of the others, using more civilized language around the ladies. Victoria cleaned up the bad language used in her court by virtue of her being the queen, before that what said went. There are other books out there, but I liked this one. I will tell you about another books, which uses the language of the period in England, but it is the same words that would have been used here. I best say the title as it is a very adult book. It was written in the 1830's or so till the 1860's.

 

[chellers]

Many written accounts refer to descriptions of soldiers and their officers using profanity in battle situations. In the custom of the times, written accounts of the words used were often "bleeped" out by simply using dashes to substitute for the letters in the word, like d----d for "****ed," that can usually be easily deciphered by the reader. I have read about many who supposedly would let loose barrages of expletives and curses when in the heat of battle. My question is how comparable were these words to today's profanity? Were they simply using words like "hell" and "****" or something stronger. I am pretty sure that what was considered profanity in the mid-19th century might be considered elementary student language, today. Or am I wrong? How can I find out what the typical vocabulary of the actual uncensored language was in the 1860's. Is there a reference somewhere?

Here is a reference you may find useful:
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?1865-Period-Swear-Words-by-Craig-Hadley

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Here is a reference you may find useful:
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?1865-Period-Swear-Words-by-Craig-Hadley

That's was more interesting than I had ever imagined! Amazing so many of these words are still in use today, and the only one that didn't appear (which was asterisked) is the one I dislike the most. I'm glad the authors agree.

 

[mofederal]

It can be an interesting subject, how the uses and words have changed through time. Just not a subject one normally sees or comes up in a conversation. I did a lot of research in it long ago for a story, as people told me people did not talk that way during the Civil War. I had read enough to know better, but I lacked the proof, so I found the proof of it.

 

[LoriAnn]

"Tarnation" and "Strumpet" need to make a comeback.

 

[Carronade]

"Tarnation" and "Strumpet" need to make a comeback.

Always glad to see a nice strumpet!

 

[chellers]

"Tarnation" and "Strumpet" need to make a comeback.

There are some places in the South where "tarnation" is still in use.

 

[AshleyMel]

"Tarnation" and "Strumpet" need to make a comeback.

"Tarnation"
One of my Nanny's favorites!

 

[highplainsdrifter59]

I remember my old grandmother, bless her heart had this saying, "sh*t fire, saves matches". She would get upset over something and out came this phrase.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

There are some places in the South where "tarnation" is still in use.

And "strumpet." Just saying!

 

[WJC]

Many written accounts refer to descriptions of soldiers and their officers using profanity in battle situations. In the custom of the times, written accounts of the words used were often "bleeped" out by simply using dashes to substitute for the letters in the word, like d----d for "****ed," that can usually be easily deciphered by the reader. I have read about many who supposedly would let loose barrages of expletives and curses when in the heat of battle. My question is how comparable were these words to today's profanity? Were they simply using words like "hell" and "****" or something stronger. I am pretty sure that what was considered profanity in the mid-19th century might be considered elementary student language, today. Or am I wrong? How can I find out what the typical vocabulary of the actual uncensored language was in the 1860's. Is there a reference somewhere?

I believe much of todays profanity has a long history. Although we have no recordings and little in writing of profanity in the Civil War era, some of our older colleagues may remember the vocabulary their grandfathers, born in the early 1900s, used. From what I can tell it was virtually the same as today.
I can recall as a boy a dear family friend in his nineties, talking with his younger male friends while they were working on a car. He used a vocabulary rich in profanity, including a liberal use of the 'F-word" in every conceivable way it can be used: noun, verb, adjective....

 

[WJC]

I remember my old grandmother, bless her heart had this saying, "sh*t fire, saves matches". She would get upset over something and out came this phrase.

I thought I had a rich vocabulary, but that's a new one for me!

 

[WJC]

"Tarnation" and "Strumpet" need to make a comeback.

Is "tarnation" profanity? I didn't know. Not that i hear it often....

 

[Greg Taylor]

A number of still common "vulgar" words and phrases are Anglo-Saxon derivatives going back to the time of Chaucer and earlier. Many of them were, it seems, alive and well in the mid 19th. century. It is amazing how versatile some of the more common ones remain!

 

[nc native]

"Tarnation" and "Strumpet" need to make a comeback.

I've heard both of those words in the not so distant past . My wife used to get flustered at our
daughter and call her a strumpet when our daughter was younger. Some of the older folk
still use tarnation when they get frustrated.

My Grandfather used to use the expression "havin a runnin fit" whenever he would describe
someone who was so mad that they totally lost their self control. That's one I've never heard
anywhere else.

 

[Greg Taylor]

My grandmother Irma was the most genteel, utterly prim and proper person I ever met. I am appalled to learn that one of her most common phrases, "Isn't that the dickens!" is considered a profanity. Grandma, shame on you!

 

[huskerblitz]

"Tarnation" and "Strumpet" need to make a comeback.

My mom still uses the phrase, "What in tarnation is going on!?"

 

[nc native]

A number of still common "vulgar" words and phrases are Anglo-Saxon derivatives going back to the time of Chaucer and earlier. Many of them were, it seems, alive and well in the mid 19th. century. It is amazing how versatile some of the more common ones remain!

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales had quite a few choice words in it if I remember what read in my
English Literature I course as well as I think I do. Some parts of the Canterbury Tales would
not escape censorship if it was translated to modern English in earlier, more Puritan times,
in America's history.