this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2025
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I wonder if it's really the swearing. It would be interesting to compare to nonverbal grunting or groaning around the same intensity. Something similarly emotive and forceful but without the underlying language meaning.
The root is heightened aggression/anger levels i would guess. Same thing with boxers and power lifters slapping the shit out of themselves before a fight/competition. Anything that gets your blood pumping and adrenaline levels up.
I would hope the 'neutral word' was said at the same volume/rate/tone. Otherwise, yeah, it would definitely be a factor. Just like we can make ourselves angry with our thoughts, there must be a large difference in adrenaline released depending on how you emote.
It's been observed that swearwords engage particular parts of the brain aside from the speech centers, and influence emotions pretty much on the hardware level. Which is probably related to how all the ‘motherfuckers’ help Samuel L. Jackson not stutter.
It could even be related to breathing. In karate exhalation breath work is important as part of a strike or kick for a number of reasons including maximizing force.
Made me think of tennis players. The sounds may really increase their power.
It's called a kiai...
I think they used "neutral word" to determine the baseline
This would be a placebo, no?