The Function of Profanity in Modern English Chapter 1- Introduction and Clarification Chapter 2- Everyday Usage of Profanity Chapter 3- How Profanity Offends Chapter 4- A Look at the Literal Meanings and Taboo Chapter 5- Phatic and Emotive Language Chapter 6- The Employment of Substitutes Chapter 7- A Brief Historical Perspective Chapter 8- The Use of Profanity in the Media Chapter 9- Conclusions Bibliography Chapter 1- Introduction and Clarification Since the beginning of the English language, there have existed certain words that were considered by the majority to be taboo, or