Curses! Introducing a new blog, "Strong Language"
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There's a new linguablog that's definitely worth your time if you're not put off by vulgarities. And if you revel in vulgarities, well, you're in luck. It's called Strong Language, and it's the creation of James Harbeck and Stan Carey.
James and Stan have enlisted a great lineup of contributors (I'm happy to be one of them). As the "About" page explains, Strong Language "gives a place for professional language geeks to talk about things they can’t talk about in more polite contexts. It’s a sweary blog about swearing."
Stan compiled a Storify story detailing how the blog came to life from a Twitter conversation he had with James. Many of us hopped on board soon after that initial exchange. You can follow the blog's Twitter presence at @stronglang.
Here are the posts that have been published so far:
- Phonology of cusswords: some initial observations (James Harbeck, 12/13)
- Syntax of fuck – Reviving “Studies Out in Left Field” on The Toast (Gretchen McCulloch, 12/15)
- Synonyms for Prostitute (Mededitor, 12/15)
- We’re not in fourth grade anymore (Karen Conlin, 12/15)
- Is shit a contronym? (Iva Cheung, 12/15)
- Great moments in swearing: You gotta be fuckin’ kidding (Stan Carey, 12/16)
- You pack-saddle child! (John Kelly, 12/16)
- Remembering the shit-in (Ben Zimmer, 12/16)
…and I know of several more fascinating posts that are in the pipeline. The blog promises to be dee-fucking-lightful.
BlueLoom said,
December 17, 2014 @ 9:19 am
Wonderful! Thx for the link. I've bookmarked it for part of my daily blog reading. I loved the entry on "shit-in," especially Saul Alinsky's plan for O'Hare Airport. Too bad he never had a chance to put it into effect.
Bob Coard said,
December 17, 2014 @ 10:20 am
Wasn't there a privately printed limited issue magazine on these lines in the 60/70s?
Maledicta perhaps?
Bob Ladd said,
December 17, 2014 @ 10:45 am
@Bob Coard: Yes, just google "Maledicta journal" and you'll find the website. Not sure what the current state of play is. Somewhere in my files I have a couple of early issues from the early 1970s, so it definitely existed. I imagine the overall tone and style of the new blog will be a bit, well, gentler.
[(myl) The publisher of Maledicta, Reinhold Aman, is an occasional commenter, most recently here.]
J. W. Brewer said,
December 17, 2014 @ 10:56 am
The world of taboo language is obviously broader than "cussing" and/or "swearing" and/or excretory/sexual slang, although there's equally obviously nothing wrong with a particular site taking a narrower focus (if that's what this site is going to do). I think Maledicta historically acquired a somewhat . . . complicated reputation because there were people who found violations of some taboos liberating but violations of other taboos off-putting (or at least problematic without a lot of accompanying solemn disclaimers that the Maledicta folks generally did not provide).
Keith said,
December 17, 2014 @ 1:24 pm
It's off to a great start.
I'm glad to see that comments need to be moderated before being published You don't want a few potty-mouthed individuals bringing the place into disrepute.