---

This study provides a definition and a typology of swearing and compares its manifestations in English and 24 other languages. In addition the study traces the history of swearing from its first known appearance in Ancient Egypt to the present day.

---

Preface Acknowledgements Notes on Transliteration Abbreviations Defining Swearing A Typology of Swearing History of Swearing Interjections Oaths, Emphatic Denials, Curses Ritual Insults, Unfriendly Suggestions, Name-Calling Degree, Dislike, Emphasis, Exasperation and Annoyance Replacive Swearing Notes Appendices Bibliography Index

---

"This volume is both a majestic state of the art review of work undertaken on swearing to date and a very important original contribution to studies in the area. I strongly recommend all with an interest in this topic to read this book." - Tony McEnery, Lancaster University, UK

---

MAGNUS LJUNG is Emeritus Professor of English Language at the University of Stockholm, Sweden. He has published works on English word formation, syntax, expletive language and corpus linguistics.

---