Poll: Swearing and intelligence

[Darkmaster127]

I've always been interested in why 'swearing' is such a negative thing within society and never really understood it. Something I've heard as an argument before (Or at least a downputting of people who do swear) is that it's less intelligent, or people aren't clever enough to think of something else to say, so they swear. Whilst i can see some truth in this, it can't be entirely right, as a lot of intelligent people do swear. (Comedians, most notably).

I've done several searches of the internet to try and find a paper, or study based on a correlation of this, but have never found one. If someone could point me toward one, i would appreciate it very much.

In case no one knows of one, i'll try a basic one on here. I apologise for generalisations, and use of peoples IQ's- it's just the easiest way to measure intelligence this quickly.

Just a side note; I'd rather not get into a discussion about weather swearing is necessary, rude or offensive, but i am interested in if you think there is some kind of relation between swearing and intelligence.

EDIT; i am aware that IQ isn't intelligence- i just have no better way to find a correlation over the internet. (Unless someone has a suggestion?)

 

[WrongSprite]

I dont think theres any correlation. Oh, and IQ really isn't a measure of intelligence.

 

[Radeonx]

Many intelligent people swear, but the IQ doesn't delegate intelligence correctly. There are multiple IQ tests, and I've done more than one and gotten different numbers on all.

 

[BaronXS]

I have a 126, and I swear like a ************.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

I swear sometimes, mostly when I'm alone... I took an IQ test in kindergarden and got 137, more recently got a 146 I think... Pretty much got straight A's the past 3 years... B's in some classes, like AP Calculus since my teacher couldn't teach it to save her life... in short, I'm basically a nerd...

Oh, a little fun fact I heard somewhere... there is a very very slight curve in intelligence vs how religious you are, or so I heard...

 

[Kuchinawa212]

I think swearing has little do with intelligence. I mean I bet some scientist can say. "Aww shit I dropped the flask of very important chemicals." and not lose any IQ.

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

I'm relatively intelligent, although my IQ test results vary it's apparently around the 130 mark. All that this seems to have done is increase my inventiveness when swearing. I could cuss for England.

 

[Baby Tea]

I think swearing isn't always a matter of intelligence.
Sometimes when you stub your toe, or get hurt some other way, or are genuinely angry, swearing is more of a verbal manifestation of anger or frustration.

However, if I'm in casual conversation with someone and they just swear for the sake of swearing (E.G. I was walking down the F*ckin stairs and saw Jimmy, and thought 'F*ck it!' and asked him to come with me to get pizza), then it strikes me as either an insecure cry for attention and dominance in a conversation, or a lack of understanding of simple language skills (I.E: They don't have the vocabulary to properly express themselves).

The latter of the two always has had, in my experience, a direct connection to one's ability to grasp concepts and have meaningful conversations. I worked as a manager at a Burger King, and the swearing kids and people were all idiots during training. I had to go over things over and over again for them to grasp even the simplest of tasks. Conversely, those who didn't swear for the sake of it more mostly easier to train and worked harder and faster.

I noticed this in every other job I've held, as well.

 

[Darkmaster127]

I swear sometimes, mostly when I'm alone... I took an IQ test in kindergarden and got 137, more recently got a 146 I think... Pretty much got straight A's the past 3 years... B's in some classes, like AP Calculus since my teacher couldn't teach it to save her life... in short, I'm basically a nerd...

Oh, a little fun fact I heard somewhere... there is a very very slight curve in intelligence vs how religious you are, or so I heard...

Yeah, there is a negative relation between intelligence and supernatural belief's, and it is noticeable (If you have the stats in front of you), but it is just generalisations

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

The only thing IQ tests are good at measuring is your skill in doing IQ tests.

I'm relatively intelligent, although my IQ test results vary it's apparently around the 130 mark. All that this seems to have done is increase my inventiveness when swearing. I could cuss for England.

You realize 130 is like genius level, right?

 

[DazZ.]

Spoiler: Stephen Fry on the Joys of Swearing

I dont think theres any link, it can just seem that way when someone who isnt overly intelligent has a small vocabulary.

I love the way the video I posted (almost) contradicts my own statement.

 

[gentleben]

I've never done an IQ test. I swear. I'm doing a bachelor of science and a bachelor of law.

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

All the IQ tests i have done leave me around the high 130s' low 140s' and i swear all the time. Its usually only for emphasis e.g that was really fucking stupid or something. Otherwise when i am pissed off. I go a little crazy with the swearing. Seriously, every second word out of my mouth is a swear word when i am truly angry

 

[Sewer Rat]

I swear, quite a bit actually. I don't believe in the concept of "foul language". Derogitory terms I can understand but a lot of these words seem like someone just didn't like them so he tried to force others to stop using them. It is also hypocritical because we call these words 'bad words' in an attempt to keep kids from saying them, but by defining a word as 'bad' that makes it rebellious thus making kids want to say them.

 

[KaiRai]

I have a 132 and pretty much every other word that comes out my mouth is a swear. Unless in the company of my posh girlfriends parents

 

[Crimsane]

I'm amused by the fact that there are more 141+ IQ votes than 100-120, and 0 <100 votes. Gotta love anonymity.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

I use it as a normal part of language or to emphasize something like "That's fuckin' ridiculous" and every time I've tested my IQ it's never been below a 136

 

[KSarty]

I've taken true IQ tests on 2 different occasions and received a 141 and a 143, and I swear an awful lot. That being said I don't see a connection, my mother swears just as much as I do and her IQ is 117 according to her.

 

[AmrasCalmacil]

The only thing IQ tests are good at measuring is your skill in doing IQ tests.

I'm relatively intelligent, although my IQ test results vary it's apparently around the 130 mark. All that this seems to have done is increase my inventiveness when swearing. I could cuss for England.

You realize 130 is like genius level, right?

Actually that would be 150.
I have a genius friend.