Nine Nasty Words

English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever

By: John McWhorter

Narrated by: John McWhorter

One of the preeminent linguists of our time examines the realms of language that are considered shocking and taboo in order to understand what imbues curse words with such power - and why we love them so much.

Profanity has always been a deliciously vibrant part of our lexicon, an integral part of being human. In fact, our ability to curse comes from a different part of the brain than other parts of speech - the urgency with which we say "f--k!" is instead related to the instinct that tells us to flee from danger.

Language evolves with time, and so does what we consider profane or unspeakable. Nine Nasty Words is a rollicking examination of profanity, explored from every angle: historical, sociological, political, linguistic. In a particularly coarse moment, when the public discourse is shaped in part by once-shocking words, nothing could be timelier.

©2020 John McWhorter (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Rollicking, salty, learned, and intensely informative, John McWhorter's Nine Nasty Words is a grand tour through the history of the profanities we (sometimes) abhor and (sometimes) revel in (and sometimes both), peppered with cameos by everyone from Geoffrey Chaucer and Cole Porter to Tallulah Bankhead and the too-little-known singer-songwriter Lucille Bogan, still making people blush 70-odd years after her death, God bless her. I laughed frequently and learned plenty." (Benjamin Dreyer, New York Times best-selling author of Dreyer's English)

"Nine Nasty Words is a deeply intelligent celebration of language that teaches us how to see English in high definition and love it as it really is, right now and in its myriad incarnations to come." (The New York Times)

"Shakespeare’s Caliban spoke for the human race when he said 'You taught me language, and my profit on’t is, I know how to curse.' Taboo language combines our touchiest social emotions with the poetic and metaphorical powers of language, and no one can explain these more clearly and compellingly than John McWhorter." (Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University; author of The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window Into Human Nature)

So f+@king good!

First of all, belated grats to the author/narrator for keeping your bike from being stolen! And thank you for narrating your own book. Besides a great tone and a clear speaking voice, the voices you do are such a treat! The Mr. Burns is spot on.

For the reader/listener, this is possibly a biased review as I am a fan of Dr. McWhorter's body-of-work. (Books, blog, and The Great Courses' The Story of Human Language, Language A to Z, Myths of Language Usage, Language Families of the World, and Human Language).

This audiobook was a pure treat both in content and listening pleasure. His intonations, emphasis, enunciation and speaking speed are the ideal for any narrator's aspiration. It's rare that I have a book in which I don't have to adjust the speed.

I have a huge issue with censorship so a book like this from and delivered by an intellectual standard-bearer in the field is right on point. I enjoyed learning so much about the words I most often use. This book is packed with gem after gem.

I can't help but wonder how many people I have offended, confused or bewildered with various phrases and word use. Plus with other new info from this book, I can better understand others' intent!

Everything I've come to expect from McWhorter

After loving 2 of his Great Courses, I was thrilled to see this book. It did not disappoint. Everything you love about McWhorter is here. Part linguistic, part culture and history, this is the best book that you almost can't discuss.

Fresh and Entertaining

I've listened to or read most of John McWhorter's books. I've always been educated and entertained along the way. Here he does it again. There have been plenty of books, articles, and even TV shows on the history of one or more of these "nasty" words. But I was confident that Professor McWhorter wouldn't simply repackage content that we've already seen. And he didn't. Without going into the content, expect to learn something you've probably heard before on some level (albeit with the authority the author brings to the subject, which, if nothing else, will give you the comfort that you will no longer repeat tired old fairy tales about some of these words). But also expect to learn much that you haven't heard before, all the while being entertained by McWhorter's signature humor and delivery, which I frankly never tire of.

Must read (listen)

Hearing McWhorter read the book is a treat. don't deprive yourself. This beek is meant to be heard.

a bit too long but fascinating

Narrator was perfect & material was very instructive. Unfortunately for me, it was Bout an hour too long. I forced myself to listen to last 2 chapters.

Only John McWhorter….

He pulled it off. Entertaining and educational at the same time. I’m a big fan of his and this book will show you why. He has a compelling and humorous way of telling a story. He is also a world class reader/orator. Highly recommended!

Funny, smart, charming

It may seem strange to describe a book about profanity as charming, but John McWhorter sure pulls it off. Nine Nasty Words looks at profanity through the eyes of a linguist, and explores the evolution and etymologies of our most taboo words. It manages to be thoroughly informative while staying interesting and fresh, no doubt due to McWhorter’s super approachable style that is both intellectual, casual, and full of wit.

The author reads the book himself (a huge plus) and really breaths life into his work with his performance.

All in all, a great book and an excellent performance.

F**#in’ Great

If I could give 10 stars for performance, I would. Some books are better in print and some are better in audio. This book is a MUST for audio format. McWhorter is fantastic and super engaging. True, I love words and language and enjoy books on linguistics but I think people who may not normally be drawn to books about words and language will enjoy this one.

John McWhorter Does It Again

A well-researched, incredibly detailed, and hilarious book read with the comedic timing and warmth only McWhorter can bring. If I could recommend one book this year it would be Nine Nasty Words!

Such a Cunning Linguist

I have long espected and admired John McWhorter. This book does not disappoint his fans. His elevated prose and able wit are the perfect balance to this inherently bawdy subject.

I must point out the glaring omission of "cunnilingus" from the discussion of words related by sound to the c-word. I would have enjoyed a paragraph in his delightfully entertaining style about it.