Obscenity

thumb|Profanity is often depicted in images by grawlixes, which substitute symbols for words. Profanity, also known as swearing, cursing, or cussing, is the usage of notionally offensive words for a variety of purposes, including to demonstrate disrespect or negativity, to relieve pain, to express a strong emotion (such as anger, excitement, or surprise), as a grammatical intensifier or emphasis, or to express informality or conversational intimacy. In many formal or polite social situations, it is considered impolite (a violation of social norms), and in some religious groups it is considered

obscene hand gesture

An obscenity is any utterance or act that strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time. It is derived from the Latin , , "boding ill; disgusting; indecent", of uncertain etymology. Generally, the term can be used to indicate strong moral repugnance and outrage in expressions such as "obscene profits" and "the obscenity of war". As a legal term, it usually refers to descriptions and depictions of people engaged in sexual and excretory activity.

hand gesture

Sotades (; 3rd century BC) was an Ancient Greek poet.

obscene gesture in Romance-speaking Europe, Latin America, and other parts of Europe

unsolicited telephone call during which profane and/or sexual language is used

humor of a vulgar nature

list of bodily gestures that can be seen as negative or inappropriate

non-fiction work by Christopher M. Fairman