Editing Profanity (section)

{{Short description|Socially offensive form of language}}
{{distinguish|Hate speech}}
{{redirect-several|dab=no|Abusive language (law)|Profane (religion)|Profanity (instant messaging client)|Strong Language (film){{!}}''Strong Language'' (film)|Curse (disambiguation)|Swear (disambiguation)}}
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[[File:Jay & Trey Cartoon Swearing.jpg|thumb|Profanity is often depicted in images by [[grawlixes]], which substitute symbols for words.]]
'''Profanity''', also known as '''swearing''', '''cursing''', or '''cussing''', is the usage of notionally [[word taboo|offensive words]] for a variety of purposes, including to demonstrate disrespect or negativity, to relieve pain, to express a strong emotion (such as [[anger]], excitement, or surprise), as a grammatical [[intensifier]] or emphasis, or to express informality or conversational intimacy. In many formal or polite social situations, it is considered impolite (a violation of [[social norm]]s), and in some religious groups it is considered a [[sin]].<ref name="Didache"/> Profanity includes [[pejorative|slurs]], but most profanities are not slurs, and there are many insults that do not use swear words.

Swear words can be discussed or even sometimes used for the same purpose without causing offense or being considered impolite if they are obscured (e.g. "fuck" becomes "f***" or "the f-word") or substituted with a [[minced oath]] like "flip".