swear English · revision 4860

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gem-pro *swarjaną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /sweə/, US /swer/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|sweren]], [[inh|ang|swerian|t=to take an oath, make a solemn declaration]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[gem-pro|*swarjaną]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) also the source of Old Frisian swera, Old Saxon swerian, Dutch zweren, German schwören, Old Norse sverja and Gothic swaran.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Its origin is uncertain.^(Etymonline) The old explanation (Pokorny, Watkins) derives it from PIE *swer- “to speak”, seen in Oscan sverrunei “to the speaker” and Old Church Slavonic svarŭ “quarrel”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) while Boutkan suspects a substratum word.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[answer]], originally “to swear against”, that is, to rebut a charge.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To take an oath: about 725 in Barnhart, in Beowulf;^(Barnhart 1988) the OED has the verb with an infinitive from about 825 and in absolute use from before 900.^(OED 1989) Middle English sweren is recorded in 1123, in the Peterborough Chronicle.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To bind a person by an oath is also Old English.^(Hoad 1986) Invoking sacred names profanely or blasphemously is from the mid-14th century,^(Etymonline) and the use of swear for bad language came at the end of the 14th century, an extension of using a sacred name in an oath;^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline dates “to use profane language” to the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) ''Swear like a trooper'' is from the mid 18th century, when cavalry troopers had a reputation for coarse language.^(Cresswell 2021) The noun, a solemn oath, is from before 1643, and a profane oath or bout of swearing from 1871.^(OED 1989) ''Swear word'' is 19th century, originally American.^(Hoad 1986) A Middle English noun sware meant “an answer”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – to take an oath.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1123 – ''sweren''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * mid-14th century – to invoke sacred names profanely.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – to use bad language.^(Cresswell 2021)

+ * a. 1643 – noun, an oath.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid 18th century – ''swear like a trooper''.^(Cresswell 2021)

+ * 1871 – noun, a swear word.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To use rude or offensive words, especially in anger; to [[curse]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make a solemn [[promise]] or declaration, often by calling on God.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To state firmly that something is true.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make someone take an oath: ''sworn to secrecy'', ''swear in a witness''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''swear by'': to have great confidence in.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[swearer]]

+ * [[swearingly]]

+ * [[outswear]]

+ * [[unswear]]

+ * [[forswear]]

+ * [[reswear]]

+ * [[swear out]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[answer]]

+ * [[oath]]

+ * [[sworn]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Etymonline quotes Ruskin's distinction between swearing, calling on a spirit to witness an assertion, and cursing, calling on a spirit to help in harming someone.^(Etymonline) In northern dialect a different word swear or sweer means lazy or reluctant.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}