Seven Dirty Words

Comedian George Carlin drew up a list of the “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” in 1972, and was subsequently arrested for disturbing the peace when he performed the bit at Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI. According to FCC guidelines, the words he spoke were primarily used “to describe or depict sexual and excretory activities and organs.” Apparently, these things make us uncomfortable.

But this was a long time ago, wasn’t it? In the grand scheme of things, not really. Standards have changed and what is considered “indecent” has definitely shifted, but there are still many words which invoke such strong connotations that they cannot be used in public. At least not if you want to be considered an upstanding citizen.

The words on Carlin’s list were as follows:

1. Shit
2. Piss
3. Fuck
4. Cunt
5. Cocksucker
6. Motherfucker
7. Tits

In later performances, he added the words “fart”, “turd” and “twat”.



I will examine each of these words – both their meanings and common usages – for your seedier side to enjoy. And perhaps to shock my mother, also, but that’s beside the point.