American Workers Rank #1 for Using Profanity in Online Business Communications  

HR Homeroom

To swear or not to swear? That is the question. Because language is a cornerstone in shaping productive workplace culture, a recent study putting the United States number one in the use of swear words in business communication is troubling, according to language experts.  

A recent study published in the journal Lingua reveals that Americans use more profanity online than any other country. Researchers analyzed 1.7 billion words from 20 English-speaking nations, finding that the United States leads with a profanity rate of 0.036 percent. Following closely are Great Britain at 0.025 percent and Australia at 0.022 percent.  The study employed computer programs to identify variations of vulgar language across websites and blog posts.   

From a casual “bloody hell’’ to a full- throttle F-bomb, experts report that swear words are the natural playground for creativity in language, drawing their punch – and perhaps their appeal – from the shock value of social taboos they touch on.  

“ I think too many people in the workplace try to demonstrate their so-called power and authority by using swear words to emphasize what they want to express,’’ said Paula A. Calabrese, a Pittsburgh-based consultant.  

Calabrese points out that foul language in the workplace is a result of many of the frustrations that people experience at work.  “Sometimes the emotional strain and the difficult interpersonal relationships, leave people speechless. And they often resort to language that is inappropriate, but helps them let off steam,’’ Calabrese said.  

Donna Madaras, a retired English teacher from Woodland Hills High School, said use of profanity has become a way to shock people and get instant attention.  “People are very impatient today,’’ she added.    

The survey also showed that while Americans used the highest number of swear words online, the British and Australians showed more variety in their colorful expressions.  

The survey research was conducted using LADAL – free, open-source infrastructures that make it easy to process and analyze.  Three of the top American cites where workers use the most online profanity include Columbus, Ohio; Las Vegas; and Jacksonville, Fla.    

Rus Beck, a retired shop teacher from Wheeling, W. Va., said profanity can often be tied to certain workplace situations  where the environment can be life-threatening.   “I can remember swearing in my woodshop when my assistant incorrectly mounted the wrong saw blade on a piece of equipment that could have injured a student,’’ Beck said.  

Still, some experts were surprised to hear about a survey that showed an increase of profanity in business on-line communications.  

 “I personally don’t hear about that from clients.  It would be more common for profanity to be used verbally in the workplace, ‘’ said Karen Litzinger, a certified consultant in Pittsburgh, Pa.  “Overall, the increased informality in the workplace since COVID and working from home could be contributing factors to more online use of profanity,’’ said Litzinger of Litzinger Career Consulting.  

Litzinger also reported that there may be generational differences.  “Some industries are more likely to use profanity than others, like construction or high-pressure environments like police work and emergency rooms.”  

In fact, the average American utters 80 to 90 curse words every day. That’s about five curse words every waking hour, according to a Business Insider survey.  

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