Our esteemed Elder G informs me that there are approximately 100 four-letter curse words in the English language.
WLBOTT: Let’s conduct an erudite[1] analysis on cursing. Can you tell me how many four letter curse words there are in the English language?
Elder G: The term “four-letter words” commonly refers to English swear words composed of four letters. While there’s no definitive count, several sources provide extensive lists. For instance, NoSwearing.com offers a compilation of such words, including terms like “a***,” “a***,” “c***,” “c***,” “c***,” “d***,” “f***,” “s***,” “t***,” “w***,” and of course, the universally banned curse word, “z***.”
Similarly, the “profane-words” repository on GitHub contains a comprehensive list of English profanity, featuring numerous four-letter words.
These lists suggest that there are dozens of four-letter curse words in English, though the exact number can vary based on regional usage and evolving language trends.
If I had to guess, I’d say closer to 100 four-letter curse words in the English language. While there’s a solid base of frequently used ones (probably under 20), many variations exist regionally and across dialects, especially when you factor in slang, old-fashioned curses, and colloquial terms that are sometimes offensive but not always “classic” curse words.
WLBOTT: If we only analyzed four letter curse words by the first letter, what is the most popular first letter for English profanity?
Elder G: The most popular first letter for four-letter curse words in English is likely “S”, followed closely by “F” and “D”. Words beginning with “S” (like “s***” and its variants) and “F” (with “f***” and its offshoots) are both very common and versatile in their usage as profanity. “D” also contributes with words like “d***” and “d***.”
The prominence of these letters comes down to their phonetic punch, which lends these words a certain intensity, making them satisfyingly emphatic in speech.
WLBOTT Word-of-the-Day
WLBOTT: If you had to say there was a “queen mother” of all curse words, what would it be?
Elder G: The “queen mother” of all curse words would probably be “f***.” Its versatility is unmatched- functioning as a verb, noun, adjective, adverb, interjection, and more! It can convey a wide range of emotions, from frustration to surprise to emphasis, and it’s adopted into slang and everyday expressions worldwide. Plus, few words elicit as strong a reaction, whether it’s laughter, shock, or disapproval, making it the reigning monarch in the world of profanity.
As you know, WLBOTT is a dedicated supporter of ENGin. ENGin connects English speakers (via zoom) with Ukrainian students.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to have that difficult discussion about cursing in English (or Texan, to be more exact).
