The statement made in a letter to THE TIMES this morning by
Mr. GEORGE WRIGHT that blasphemous and degrading language is increasing
not only among the illiterate but "among those in the higher walks of
life" may be doubted. Quite possibly profanity is increasing among boys.
Oaths and their imitations are introduced in speech for their
exclamatory effect, not primarily as a sign of irreverence. They are
usually meaningless, affording the voice merely the opportunity to
express elemental moods of impatience, braggadocio, and the like. The
use of "swear words" is essentially a sign of illiteracy; an
expletive means something serving to fill out, and expletives are
employed by persons who have not sufficient command of language to
select fitting words to convey their thoughts and feelings. The result
is ridiculous when it is not painful. A profane man does not
strengthen his parts of speech, he weakens them by his profanity.
Parents and school teachers would do well to make the boys
understand the principle that, when suitable words, are lacking,
silence is wisest.