Obscenities

/əbˈsɛnɪtiz/ noun

Definition

Offensive words or expressions; content that is considered indecent, vulgar, or morally repulsive.

Etymology

From Latin 'obscaenus' meaning 'inauspicious' or 'filthy,' of uncertain origin (possibly related to 'caenum' meaning 'filth'). The word entered English in the 16th century with its current meaning of offensive language or content.

Kelly Says

What counts as an 'obscenity' changes across cultures and decades—words that were shocking a century ago are now common, and words we don't think twice about would have scandalized our grandparents!

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