Everything We Learned In Netflix's History Of Swear Words

By Carrie Pinkard

When we found out Nicholas Cage was starring in a show about curse words we were like, “biiiiitch, sign us up.” If you couldn’t tell from our packaging, we fucking love swearing. But this show reminded us exactly why we love it. Here’s everything we learned in History of Swear Words and how we use these little gems of language on our tea.

1) Swearing Makes You Physically Stronger

Did you know that swearing helps you fuck shit up? Swearing releases a burst of adrenaline and can actually improve grip strength by 5%. So if you need to hold on tightly to something, (a kettle bell, too many grocery bags, your sanity), swearing loudly might do the trick. 

2) Swearing Increases Your Pain Threshold

Remember the “Ice Bucket Challenge”  of 2014 that had the entire country pouring ice cold water over themselves with only a vague reason why? It turns out swearing could have helped with that too. 

When you swear, your pain threshold is higher. The show demonstrated that you can hold your hand in a freezing tub of ice water 50% longer if you’re swearing like a sailor. 

Everything We Learned about "FUCK":

According to the show, fuck is the most versatile swearword. It can be used to “cut, sooth, delight, frighten, insult, or seduce.” 

It didn’t become about fornication until the 14th century. Before that, it was a medieval Dutch word that meant “hit.” 

Fuck is largely considered the most crass swear word. Movies can only use the word “fuck” one time before they earn themselves an "R" rating. Sarah Silverman, who weighs in on curse words in the show, said that in School of Rock she wanted the cast to save up the word until the very end and then all scream it together once the credits start. We kind of wish they had taken her suggestion, because it would have been cool as fuck.

Fuck is also the most used swear word, which explains why it pops up so frequently on our tea tins.

The Best Fucking Teas Ever: Sweet as F**k,  Wake the F**k Up, Calm the F**k Down, Peace & Love Motherf**ker

Everything We Learned About "SHIT":

“Shit is the great equalizer. No matter your race, religion, color or creed, everybody shits.” 

Shit didn’t become a curse word until humans started getting really weird about their excrement. It started as a normal way to describe human waste. But then during the Renaissance people had more money, bigger homes, and private bathrooms. Suddenly, shitting became taboo and so did the word. 

Like most swearwords, “shit” can be either very good or very bad. If someone is “the shit” that means they’re awesome. On the other hand, if someone is being a “little shit” that means they’re being annoying AF. 

Teas that are “The Shit” : Get Your Sh*t Together 

Everything We Learned About "BITCH":

“The B-word holds great power and great responsibility.” 

Bitch is one of the those words that changes depending on who uses it. According to the show, it’s one of the few slurs that is in the process of being reclaimed by the group it was originally intended to harm (women).

Bitch was first used in 1000 A.D. and it comes from the word “bicce” meaning female dog. However, around 1400 A.D. it starts to refer to a woman who is overly sexual and immoral. It then mutates into describing women who are loud or domineering. 

The derogatory use of the word bitch has historically spiked in alignment with the feminist movement. It was used much more both during the suffragette movement, and during the Women’s Liberation Movement in the 60’s and 70’s. 

The show comes up with a handy guide on how to not be called a bitch: “Don’t smile, don’t talk, don’t be loud, don’t be quiet, don’t stand up, don’t sit down, don’t drive, don’t frown.” 

Teas that are totally Bitchin’: Fierce B*tch, Basic B*tch

Our Teas Are Fucking Great For You

If just saying swear words can make you stronger, we think drinking tea with swear words on it might just give you super powers. 

What’s your favorite swear word? Tell us in the comments below! And in the meantime, pick up a sassy tea sampler so you can sip and swear in style.