John McWhorter on linguistic assimilation and softening.

Words like “f---” and “sh--” are increasingly standing in for “it” and “that.”

Words like “f---” and “sh--” are increasingly standing in for “it” and “that.”

Slate
Lexicon Valley
A show about the mysteries of English.
June 12 2018 10:53 AM

The Pronouning of Profanities

Words like f--- and sh-- are increasingly standing in for it and that.

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Listen to Lexicon Valley Episode No. 137:

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John McWhorter on the tantalizing prospect of a universal language.

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