The History of the Word Damn Essay

Early modern Europe, specifically Spain and England, was going through major growing pains in the period before discovery and settlement of the New World. Recovery from the Black Plague, religious reformation, and newly formed nation-states were on the forefront of these changes. The political environment, economy, and religion were all intertwined during the upheaval of the Old World which proved to be a driving force in the search for and eventual settlement of new lands.

As a child Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother; a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games that left one of her sons nearly dead. She no longer considered him a son, but a slave; no longer a boy, but an 'it'. His bed was an old army cot in the basement, his clothes were torn and smelly, and when he was allowed the luxury of food it was scraps from the dogs' bowl. The outside world knew nothing of the nightmare played out behind closed doors. Dave dreamed of finding a family to love him and call him their son. It took years of struggle, deprivation and despair to find his dreams and make something of himself. A Child Called 'It' covers the early years of

Langston Hughes was an African-American writer in the 1920's. He was best known for his stories in the Harlem Renaissance about the Black Culture. Hughes emphasized the theme that “Black is Beautiful.” In Hughes' short story, “Why, You Reckon,” he writes through the main character, the narrator, a poor, 'hongry' Black. Hughes uses character and scene description, symbolism, themes, and dialogue to set his story up and make it more interesting and historical to the reader.

As an English teacher at Wellesley High School, in the accomplished community of Wellesley, Massachusetts, David McCullough, Jr. confronts the paradox of reality versus the popular assumptions perpetuated by well-meaning parents and delivered a shockingly poignant attack on the Wellesley High School graduates’ self-perception and preparedness. In addition, he outlined the parents’ role in creating and maintaining this deception. Mr. McCullough used his knowledge and insight of the Twenty-first Century youth culture, humor, and steadfast opinion that his target audience of high school graduates is aphoristically, NOT SPECIAL. However, Mr. McCullough limited his audience’s sensitivity to his assertion using ethics, logic and pathos and later provides a positive, passionate and humanistic world view of how to have a well-lived life.

Situations dictate the type of language people use on a daily basis. People use careful language because they don’t want to be perceived as the bad guy. They are afraid of offending somebody, which nowadays is more

Survival of the Sickest, written by author Dr. Sharon Moalem, is a book discussing why evolution has not allowed for the destruction of certain diseases. He states that these deadly diseases, such as Anemia, Hemochromatosis, and High Cholesterol, are in fact tools that evolution used to help the human race survive. He explains how these diseases helped fight against more dangerous and life threatening sicknesses such as, Malaria, the Bubonic Plague, and Vitamin D deficiency related illnesses. The main idea of this book is a simple one. Evolution did not necessarily favor adaptations that made us better. Instead, it favored adaptations that helped us survive. Even if these adaptations would end up killing us in the long run.

Is getting a higher education worth the price? I think it is. In the book, “they say I say” the author, argues that not getting an education doesn’t necessary mean not having a good job or a good position. I disagree. I believe education is really important. You may think you have a good job in your possession or a good secure position, but later in life when a promotional opportunity arises, you’ll always fall short without the degree at your fingertips. Jobs requiring minimal or no education usually involve strenuous labor and lack the opportunities to advance. These jobs generally won’t be in the office. People with a higher education stand out in society, not just because they might necessary

The roots of the word up from what we can trace is Old English upp and uppe. It is unknown how but the word up is related to the Dutch word op and the German word auf. The word up has many uses such as a direction, positions, or occurrence. Its broad definition making it a versatile word. The word up has at least eighty different definitions but, for this paper only one is used. Up is to be at a higher value or point in comparison to a value or point.

In “The F Word” written by Firoozeh Dumas an excerpt from her autobiography titled Funny in Farsi, she talks about her struggles living in America from having a very different name, to not understanding English very well. Dumas uses examples from her childhood and all throughout her life to explain why she feels Americans are ignorant to new and different things. The author would like her audience to be aware of other cultures, and their names and lifestyles. She feels Americans were not open to accept her culture and difference, and instead of embracing it, they made fun and insulted what they were unsure of. Based on the simplicity of words she uses, the mild tempered language she includes, and how relatable her

The word ain’t is one of the most commonly-overlooked mistake in the English dictionary. It is used very often in TV, books, movies, media, and music, so we shouldn’t be surprised it is now in our real life. Even though our English teachers and grammar textbooks label the word ain’t as incorrect the use of the word has not been banished and we have no idea if it ever will be. Since, it continues to be in our language, and we often us it we should be informed of its origin and its development. However, there are different opinions on the development. Most writers on this issue seems to agree that the word ain’t has not been fully investigated and needs further research. A look at the history of ain’t can help determine how this simple contraction became a serious error in professional writing and speech.

Apuleius' Golden Ass, the only surviving novel of the Roman Empire, is a tale of a Greek nobleman devoting his life to the goddess Isis following his transformation to an ass and back. Although a work of fiction, the novel reveals a great deal about religion in Apuleius' society. This information, however, must be viewed with a critical eye. He incorporates stories from Greco-Roman mythology not to affirm their validity, but to reveal their commonness to society. Apuleius insults other religions that are not of the Pantheon with severe viciousness, while the general public may have been more open to them. In the end, he praises Isis and Osiris as the supreme gods while giving first hand account of their righteousness.

Why did our mouths used to be so clean? Well, according to research from Brigham Young University ‘Swearing in the Cinema: an Analysis of profanity in US teen-oriented movies, 1980-2006′ Not only is

“Bitch” The first time someone called me a “bitch”, I was extremely offended and thought to myself ‘Why would anybody call me that?’ But, this was more than five years ago and now when someone calls me a “bitch”, I thank him or her instead. The word “bitch” has been a part of the English language for a great amount of time.

As I open the double glass doors at the Pub I am overwhelmed with all of

Language is always evolving without exception. According to the English Oxford Living Dictionary, the word bitch adapted from the Old English word “bicce,” though informally it is simply an unpleasant woman. Among the classic dirty words, stands a powerful, five-letter word. The familiarity is shared among many languages and especially through social media, though the exact meaning can be lost in translation. Its versatility is impeccable, and it can be used in place of a noun, adjective, or verb. It gives the flexibility of being used in any given situation whether it be used offensively, neutrally, or empowering. All these emotions and power are manifested into a seemingly small word: bitch.