Fact Check: "British online vulgarity ranks second, with 25 curses per 100,000 words."
What We Know
Recent research has analyzed the use of vulgar language across various English-speaking countries, examining a dataset of over 1.7 billion words from online content. The findings indicate that the United States ranks first in terms of swearing frequency, with 36 curse words per 100,000 words. The British follow in second place, using 25 curses per 100,000 words, while Australians rank third with 22 curses per 100,000 words (source-2, source-8). This data suggests that the claim regarding British online vulgarity is accurate, as it aligns with the reported statistics.
Analysis
The claim that British online vulgarity ranks second with 25 curses per 100,000 words is supported by multiple sources. The study conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland and published in the journal Lingua provides a comprehensive analysis of swearing patterns across different countries (source-3). The methodology employed in this research is robust, utilizing a large dataset to draw conclusions about language use.
However, it is essential to consider the context of the findings. The research defines vulgar language broadly, encompassing various forms of swearing, profanity, and obscenity. This broad definition may influence the interpretation of what constitutes a "curse" (source-4). Additionally, while the British are reported to use 25 curses per 100,000 words, the frequency of vulgar language can vary significantly based on context, audience, and medium, which may not be fully captured in the dataset.
The credibility of the sources is high, as they are derived from peer-reviewed academic research and reputable institutions. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the interpretation of swearing can be subjective and culturally dependent, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion
The claim that "British online vulgarity ranks second, with 25 curses per 100,000 words" is Partially True. While the statistic is accurate according to the research, it is essential to recognize the limitations of the study, including the broad definition of vulgar language and the contextual factors that influence swearing. Therefore, while the claim holds merit, it should be understood within a more nuanced framework.
Sources
- Frankly, We Do Give a Damn: The Relationship Between ... (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5686790/)
- Who swears the most online: the Australians, British or Americans? (https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/who-swears-the-most-online-the-australians,-british-or-americans)
- Oh, Sh*t! Which Country Swears the Most Online? | ARDC (https://ardc.edu.au/article/oh-sht-which-country-swears-the-most-online/)
- What 1.7 billion words of online text shows about how the world swears ... (https://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2025/06/17/1387651/201-ways-to-say-fuck-what-17-billion-words-of-online-text-shows-about-how-the-world-swears)
- Global study finds Australians are third most prolific swearers (https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2025/05/global-study-finds-australians-are-third-most-prolific-swearers)
- Cursing in English on Twitter - CORE Scholar (https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/context/knoesis/article/1966/viewcontent/cursing_in_english.pdf)
- Descargar y usar el Traductor de Google (https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6350850?hl=es&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop)
- Americans more vulgar online than Brits, Aussies — study (https://www.dw.com/en/americans-more-vulgar-online-than-brits-aussies-study/a-72986152)
