Origin of the terms "curse words" and "swear words"

Question

I'm having trouble finding the origin of the terms "curse words" and "swear words" when used as a synonym what many call "bad words" (although I don't agree).

I've found that "curses" when used as an explicative is from the late 19th century, but not much more than that.  I'm assuming they have some origin in religion/mysticism/witchcraft due to the earliest meaning I can find of the word "curse," and how "swear" is believed to come from the invocation of the the "sacred" name (Exodus).

Unfortunately, these explanations don't satisfy me.  I ask, does anyone have a more detailed explanation with specifics as to the origin of these terms in order to satisfy my curiosity?

John Lawler · Accepted Answer

The general term is Profanity. Swearing and cursing are both activities in which profanity may occur, so that's where the common terms came from.

Swearing means swearing by someone or something, i.e, taking an oath to do something, or simply to tell the truth. The court oath in the USA is usually something like "In the testimony I am about to give, I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." Some Americans refuse to swear in court because they would have to mention God; they are usually allowed to affirm their testimony formally instead.

Cursing means to wish for evil to happen to others -- and to state this wish as if to bring it about, by calling on a god or some magical spirit. Modals like may are often used in special constructions in cursing; the profanity is usually limited to hell, damn, devil, demon, and their euphemisms like heck, darn, fallen angel, and evil spirit:

(May) God damn you to Hell!
May you tan forever in the fires of Heck!
Roofless and rootless, cursed be and cast out! (from P.C. Hodgell's Kencyrath series)

Origin of the terms "curse words" and "swear words"

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