Swearing under pressure

Is swearing really just rude, or can it actually help us cope?

Am I the only one to observe an increase in apologies by sports commentators for “offensive language you may have heard”?

I’ve noticed it more this season in coverage of the United Rugby Championship and, perhaps more surprisingly, when watching the latest Masters golf tournament. It may be that on-course and referee microphones are more sensitive or it could be due to a real increase in bad language in the sports environment.

Interestingly, motorsport’s governing body, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), has suggested it may introduce a ban on swearing in Formula 1 team radio communication. Recently, the FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said the body could “shut down the radios of live communication” over the issue.

For some, the idea that drivers need to swear during races may seem unconvincing, given that emotions can be expressed through other word choices. Many of us are not permitted to swear in our workplaces, so why should Formula 1 drivers be any different?

Research, highlighted recently in The Conversation, suggests that prohibiting drivers from using strong language during races might have unintended consequences. In the intense, high-stakes world of Formula 1, such a ban could interfere with how drivers manage their emotional responses under pressure.

Drivers themselves have pushed back, claiming that their use of profanity isn’t simply casual or careless – it serves as an essential outlet, helping them cope with the psychological demands of their high-adrenaline environment.

The author of The Conservation article, Kieran File, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick, writes that research may support this claim as studies have shown that swearing is deeply linked to emotional regulation.

“Experimental and lab-based studies suggest that swear words are processed differently to other words. They have been linked to brain regions responsible for processing emotion, threat detection, and survival responses,” he writes.

“Some studies also suggest that swearing activates the fight-or-flight response, triggering physiological changes like increased heart rate, faster breathing, and adrenaline release. The fight-or-flight response is an instinctive mechanism that helps humans react to danger.”

Formula 1 drivers are required to make rapid, precise choices while staying mentally sharp. In that context, letting off steam through swearing – and the physical activation that comes with it – might actually support their ability to stay focused and perform at their best. And swearing isn’t just about emotional release or mental focus – it may also help raise pain tolerance. This could be particularly relevant for Formula 1 drivers, who endure extreme physical stress and the discomfort of being strapped into a cramped cockpit for long stretches.

Also, swear words tend to trigger stronger mental responses than neutral language, according to research, which means they can be especially useful in urgent situations. In the context of racing, a message that includes expletives might prompt a quicker reaction from race engineers and support staff, signalling the need for immediate attention or action, File notes.

As I read his piece, I have to admit, it crossed my mind that the same arguments could be made by those undertaking emergency surgery. As far as I am aware, surgeons do not use expletives when working under extreme operating theatre pressure. In general, the Medical Council takes a dim view of swearing at or in front of patients. So whatever about research that might back up such behaviour, I can’t see the regulatory authority taking a more liberal view of the practice.

Taboo language encompasses a wide spectrum of offensive expressions, including general profanity, personal insults, and more extreme forms such as racial slurs and hate speech.

Another article in The Conversation discussed a 2024 study published in Behaviour Research Methods, entitled ‘Taboo language across the globe: A multi-lab study’.

The study compared speakers from different regions. It found that participants from Spain and the UK produced fewer than 16 taboo terms each on average, while Belgian Dutch speakers listed nearly twice as many. Preferences for specific words also varied. For instance, “shit” appeared among the 10 most commonly mentioned taboo words by English and Italian speakers, but didn’t feature prominently for French, Dutch, Spanish, or German respondents.

It seems swearing serves as a cultural mirror, reflecting what topics are considered off-limits and what boundaries are being tested.

Just don’t expect to hear it in a professional medical setting near you.