Meanwhile : The psychology of swearing

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Meanwhile : The psychology of swearing

Published: 29 Apr. 2026, 00:06

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Choi Hoon

The author is a professor at Hallym University.

A recent controversy arose after an athlete appeared to mouth an expletive during a game. The athlete later explained that the remark was not directed at others but at himself and offered an apology. With the rise of live television broadcasts, moments like these have increasingly been captured on camera, but the public reaction has not been especially severe. Self-directed swearing is often interpreted as a sign of competitive drive and is sometimes even described in Korean through playful euphemisms that soften its tone.

Rival rallies for and against the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol take place simultaneously in front of the main gate of Chung-Ang University in Dongjak District, southern Seoul, on March 3, 2025. Members of a civic group supporting the impeachment, left, and those opposing it exchange insults and shout at each other, leading to a physical confrontation. [KIM SUNG-RYONG]

Swearing can function as a threatening signal when directed at others, but it tends to be interpreted as a way of releasing emotion when aimed inward — and it is. Swearing can help regulate emotions. When events do not unfold as expected and cause frustration, for example, a person can utter an expletive into the air and find a sense of relief.

Research suggests that swearing has other positive effects. People often report feeling slightly better when they swear in response to pain, and studies indicate that it can have a mild analgesic effect. By evoking strong emotions, swearing activates the sympathetic nervous system and can dull the perception of pain. One experiment found that participants who used expletives while immersing their hands in ice-cold water were able to endure the discomfort for a longer period. Swearing among close friends can also strengthen social bonds since the act signals familiarity and trust. Some studies have even suggested that people who swear more frequently may score higher on measures of honesty.

Despite these functions, swearing remains a form of verbal aggression that can negatively affect others. Its emotional intensity tends to spread quickly, influencing those nearby. Even when not directed at a specific person, those exposed to swearing can still become uncomfortable or irritated. While it may occasionally appear harmless or even amusing, swearing clearly operates as a source of stress in social interactions.

In the age of the internet, anonymity has facilitated the widespread exchange of criticism, mockery and profanity. Those who use such language may feel a temporary release of tension, but the cumulative effect may be to increase stress within society as a whole. It may be worth considering, even briefly, the value of choosing more careful words in daily life.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.