News reports called the film the highest grossing comedy in its opening weekend, an apt description. Like tobacco chewing, once upon a time cussing took place behind closed doors. Today, kids shout the f-word on city streets. Motorists and pedestrians abuse each other in language that would shock pro-wrestling fans. Matrons mimic the locker-room banter of athletes.
Academics have their rationales for our uncivil tongues.
It's said that society is more casual. Just as we have casual Fridays, our language is dressed down. Stress shares the blame. The irritation of living cheek by jowl, the pressure of life at a lunatic pace, leads to angry explosions. They claim it makes traditional underdogs feel tough and allows them to strike back at the system.