Vulgarism

A vulgarism is a word, phrase, or expression considered crude, unrefined, or lacking in good taste. It often involves language deemed inappropriate for formal contexts, public discourse, or polite society. Vulgarisms can encompass profanity, slang perceived as offensive, or colloquialisms that betray a lack of sophistication. Their use can be intentional, for emphasis or humor, or unintentional, stemming from ignorance of proper linguistic standards. The perception of a word as a vulgarism is subjective and varies across cultures, social groups, and time periods.

Vulgarism meaning with examples

• During their heated argument, Mark unleashed a torrent of vulgarisms, shocking Sarah and immediately regretting his choice of words. He was attempting to convey his frustration but the obscenities only exacerbated the situation and he felt awful.
• The author, known for his gritty realism, used numerous vulgarisms to capture the raw emotions of his characters, even though his editor initially pushed back on several occasions.
• Despite her genteel upbringing, she occasionally slipped up and used a vulgarism. It was a small indiscretion that humanized her but still mortified her for the rest of the day whenever she thought about it.
• The comedian intentionally sprinkled vulgarisms throughout his routine, attempting to shock and provoke laughter from the audience, but some audience members were highly offended and walked out.
• While researching historical dialects, the linguist encountered a multitude of vulgarisms, giving her important insight into social dynamics and cultural attitudes of the period but making it difficult to translate.