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*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 07-14-2009, 01:44 AM

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifes...rpc=22&sp=true

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Cut your finger? Hurt your leg? Start swearing. It might lessen the pain.

Researchers from the school of psychology at Britain's Keele University have found swearing can make you feel better as it can have a "pain-lessening effect," according to a study published in the journal NeuroReport.

Colleagues Richard Stephens, John Atkins and Andrew Kingston, set out to establish if there was any link between swearing and physical pain.

"Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon," says Stephens.

"It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain. Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists."

Their study involved 64 volunteers who were each asked to put their hand in a tub of ice water for as long as possible while repeating a swear word of their choice.

They then repeated the experiment using a more commonplace word that they would use to describe a table.

The researchers found the volunteers were able to keep their hands in the ice water for a longer when swearing, establishing a link between swearing and an increase in pain tolerance.

Stephens said it was not clear how or why this link existed but it could be because swearing may increase aggression.

"What is clear is that swearing triggers not only an emotional response, but a physical one too, which may explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and still persists today," he said.

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Miral Fahmy)

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

dawsongirl · 07-14-2009, 01:59 AM

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 07-14-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

Hell ****ing yeah!

Schmoopie · 07-14-2009, 03:10 AM

I heard them talking about this on the news, but I never got to see the story, so thanks for posting it. Interesting story, but it would be really interesting to know how swearing really got started and how they came up with all those words! There should be a book somewhere out there that explains it all!

Andrea

PZelda · 07-14-2009, 04:55 AM

Okay, that made me crack up.

But I can believe it. It's mighty hard not to swear when I accidentally hurt myself at work, though.

MickeyMac · 07-14-2009, 12:01 PM

When I hurt myself the first words out of my mouth are swear words. I think thats true for most people

browneyes106 · 07-14-2009, 02:05 PM

I tend to swear more if I'm in pain or in a bad mood.

Courtnee · 07-14-2009, 02:49 PM

**** yeah.

I ****ing love swearing

Waterston_Fan · 07-14-2009, 03:17 PM

But if it's good for you, why do you get yelled at for swearing?

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 07-14-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterston_Fan

But if it's good for you, why do you get yelled at for swearing?

Beats me.

Yooch · 07-14-2009, 06:22 PM

I @#$%%^^&^%^& knew it all along, (*%$*(%#%^&&*!!!

catlover79 · 07-14-2009, 08:56 PM

In that case, I know people who will live forever.

beautifuldreamer · 07-14-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

In that case, I know people who will live forever.

Good one!

Zoneboy · 07-14-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

When I hurt myself the first words out of my mouth are swear words. I think thats true for most people

That reminds me of an exchange I heard on Hee Haw between Grandpa Jones and Archie Campbell.

Grandpa: What did Roy (Clark) say when he dropped that sledgehammer on his big toe?

Archie: You want me to leave out the cuss words?

Grandpa: Of course.

Archie: He didn't say anything.

dawsongirl · 07-14-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

That reminds me of an exchange I heard on Hee Haw between Grandpa Jones and Archie Campbell.

Grandpa: What did Roy (Clark) say when he dropped that sledgehammer on his big toe?

Archie: You want me to leave out the cuss words?

Grandpa: Of course.

Archie: He didn't say anything.

07-14-2009, 01:44 AM	#1
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Start Swearing, It's Good For You http://www.reuters.com/article/lifes...rpc=22&sp=true LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Cut your finger? Hurt your leg? Start swearing. It might lessen the pain. Researchers from the school of psychology at Britain's Keele University have found swearing can make you feel better as it can have a "pain-lessening effect," according to a study published in the journal NeuroReport. Colleagues Richard Stephens, John Atkins and Andrew Kingston, set out to establish if there was any link between swearing and physical pain. "Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon," says Stephens. "It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain. Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists." Their study involved 64 volunteers who were each asked to put their hand in a tub of ice water for as long as possible while repeating a swear word of their choice. They then repeated the experiment using a more commonplace word that they would use to describe a table. The researchers found the volunteers were able to keep their hands in the ice water for a longer when swearing, establishing a link between swearing and an increase in pain tolerance. Stephens said it was not clear how or why this link existed but it could be because swearing may increase aggression. "What is clear is that swearing triggers not only an emotional response, but a physical one too, which may explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and still persists today," he said. (Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Miral Fahmy) © Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
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07-14-2009, 03:10 AM	#4
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I heard them talking about this on the news, but I never got to see the story, so thanks for posting it. Interesting story, but it would be really interesting to know how swearing really got started and how they came up with all those words! There should be a book somewhere out there that explains it all! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

07-14-2009, 04:55 AM	#5
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Okay, that made me crack up. But I can believe it. It's mighty hard not to swear when I accidentally hurt myself at work, though.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

07-14-2009, 02:49 PM	#8
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	** yeah. I **ing love swearing
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

07-14-2009, 06:22 PM	#11
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	I @#$%%^^&^%^& knew it all along, (%$(%#%^&&*!!!
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

07-14-2009, 01:59 AM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140

07-14-2009, 12:01 PM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	When I hurt myself the first words out of my mouth are swear words. I think thats true for most people

07-14-2009, 02:05 PM	#7
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I tend to swear more if I'm in pain or in a bad mood.

07-14-2009, 03:17 PM	#9
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	But if it's good for you, why do you get yelled at for swearing?

07-14-2009, 08:56 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	In that case, I know people who will live forever.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013