On profanity, expletives, and obscenities

William Safire had a hilarious and informative column on swearing in the NY Times last week. The column is a joy to read, Safire plays with alliteration and assonance. It feels like the reading equivalent of riding on a tilt-a-whirl.

But there is more than just word play, Safire writes about the difference between profanities, expletives, vulgarities, and obscenities in wake of Rod Blagojevich and his bleeping bleeps while trying to sell the Chicago Senate seat that’s up for grabs.

It’s a must-read for any word nerd or anyone who likes to swear. Knowledge is power and all that. [article found via Daring Fireball]