blue language
Swearing and cursing
Blue language is profanity, obscenity, or vulgar speech—the kind of talk that might make someone blush.
The phrase typically describes swearing or sexually explicit content: The comedian's act was full of blue language.
Why blue carries this association is unclear, though the connection dates to the nineteenth century.
A blue streak of cursing is a prolonged torrent of profanity.
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- cursingUsing profane language
- swearingProfane speech or vows
- potty mouthHabitual use of profanity
- obscenityIndecent word or act
swear jar · vulgar · crude · foul-mouthed · expletives · cussing · pardon my French · dirty · filthy · raunchy · coarse · indecent · salty · off-color · choice words · ribald · lewd · gutter
blue languagepolite conversation
Courteous social discourse
clean language · civil discourse · proper speech · sacred language · circumlocution
blue languagerefined language
Polished, cultivated speech
formal language · eloquent speech · diplomatic language · Queen's English
blue, blues, blued, bluing, blueing, bluish, blueness, bluer, bluest