When Did Cursing Start? The Surprisingly Ancient Origins of Swearing
What Counts as a Curse Word Anyway?
Before we go diving into ancient history, let's clear one thing up: what do we mean by “cursing”? We're not just talking about dropping the f-bomb or flipping someone off. Cursing can include profanity, blasphemy, taboo words, and even magical incantations (yep, like actual curses).
In short, it’s any language that's meant to shock, insult, or express strong emotion. And humans have always needed ways to do that — especially when they stub a toe or lose a fight.
The Earliest Evidence of Cursing
Ancient Mesopotamia: swearing like a Sumerian
Turns out, humans have been swearing for at least 4,000 years. In ancient Mesopotamia (we’re talking 2,300 BCE-ish), cuneiform tablets reveal insults and curse-like expressions. One tablet contains a line that roughly translates to, “You are the son of a dog.” Not very subtle.
They also used magical curses — legit spell-like phrases meant to bring illness or misfortune to others. You might call it swearing with consequences.
Ancient Egypt and Rome: curses on papyrus and stone
In Egypt, people wrote down “execration texts,” which were basically lists of enemies’ names — then they'd smash the pots those names were written on. Violent, poetic, and kinda brilliant.
Fast forward to ancient Rome, and swearing gets spicy. Roman graffiti from Pompeii is full of vulgarities, jokes about sex, and creative insults. Some of it reads like a bathroom stall at a college bar. Seriously. Look it up.
Cursing in Religious Contexts
From holy to unholy
In medieval Europe, swearing started to become more closely tied to blasphemy. Taking God's name in vain was considered deeply sinful — and punishable. Saying things like “by God’s bones” or “Christ’s nails” could get you in trouble with both church and state.
This is when swearing got its moral baggage. It wasn’t just rude — it was wrong. But, of course, that didn’t stop people from doing it. In fact, the more forbidden it became, the juicier it got.
Funny how that works.
Witchcraft, hexes, and spoken curses
Let’s not forget actual curses — as in, phrases believed to invoke harm or bad luck. From the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, fear of witches and “cursers” ran wild. People believed that words could kill.
Okay, maybe not literally, but reputations? For sure. And crops, supposedly.
How Cursing Evolved Over Time
From formal to filthy
Language changed fast during the Renaissance. Latin faded. Vernacular languages rose. And with them came a new wave of creative swearing — often centered around bodily functions, sex, and social class.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, upper-class folks tried to “clean up” language, pushing cursing into the shadows (and the pubs). But in working-class circles? It stayed alive and well.
Honestly, it probably got better — or worse, depending on your point of view.
Modern swearing: from taboo to mainstream
Today, swear words show up in music, memes, movies, and casual convo. They’ve become tools of expression, humor, and even solidarity. But they still carry shock value — especially depending on who's saying it, where, and to whom.
Context is everything.
Why Do Humans Curse at All?
Emotional release and social bonding
Swearing helps us:
Relieve pain (there’s actual science behind this — swearing increases pain tolerance)
Express anger or frustration quickly
Bond with others through informal language
I once dropped a full cup of coffee on my laptop at work. The word I yelled? Not fit to print. But strangely, everyone understood exactly how bad it was — no explanation needed.
Power, rebellion, and control
Cursing can also be a way to take back power. Kids do it to rebel. Marginalized groups use it to reclaim space. Comedians use it to break tension. It’s language at its most raw and human.
So… When Did Cursing Start?
Honestly? It started when language did. Maybe even before.
As long as humans have had words, we’ve had words that shocked, hurt, or empowered. From Mesopotamian insults to Roman graffiti to modern TikTok rants, swearing has evolved — but it’s always been part of who we are.
And yeah, whether we admit it or not... we all do it sometimes.
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How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
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