Intention is everything

What makes a word ‘dirty’? Learn the origin of 12 swear words

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Dirty words have been around since forever, but what makes a word "dirty," anyway? It’s not as if certain sounds are inherently offensive—they acquire their meaning from culture, context, and taboo. Let’s look at some examples from both the present and the past. Do you use any of these?

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In Tudor times, the word bobolyne was used to mock someone as a fool or simpleton. The term likely comes from the Middle English verb bob, meaning "to cheat" or "to deceive." Interestingly, it resembles the Spanish word bobo, which also means "foolish."

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Shakespeare gave us the insult fustilarian in Henry IV, Part 2, where Falstaff hurls it during a tirade of colorful name-calling: "You fustilarian! I’ll tickle your catastrophe!" The word adds flair to his dramatic outburst.

Though its exact origin is unclear, fustilarian likely evolved from fustilugs, an old term for a fat, slovenly person.

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In the 18th century, fellow writers Laurence Sterne and Tobias Smollett met in Italy for a short trip. Sterne was struck by Smollett’s constant criticism of the places they visited.

After the trip, Sterne wrote A Sentimental Journey and created the grumpy character Smelfungus, inspired by Smollett. The name soon became a label for anyone who always complains, especially while traveling.

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The word damn comes from the Latin damnāre, meaning "to condemn" or "to inflict loss," from damnum ("damage, harm"). It passed into Old French as damner and then into Middle English as damnen.

Originally, it carried the full religious weight of condemning someone’s soul to hell, but by the 17th century, it had also become a mild curse in everyday speech, often used for emphasis rather than literal damnation.

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Long before the F-bomb, there was sard: a 10th-century Old English word used much like today’s more infamous term. It referred bluntly to sexual intercourse.

The word even appears in an Old English translation of Matthew 5:27, rendered as "ne særde oðres monnes wīf" ("don’t sard another man’s wife") instead of "don’t commit adultery."

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In Victorian times, calling someone a zounderkite was a sly way to say they were an idiot. It was a clever insult that didn’t sound too harsh, and it could also describe someone clumsy or prone to bungling things—a perfect little word for a polite jab.

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One of the cruder insults from the 18th century, rantallion was slang for a man whose penis was shorter than his scrotum. It was used to mock and humiliate, usually targeting a man’s masculinity in a particularly vivid (and unflattering) way.

As Francis Grose defined it in his 1785 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue: "Rantallion. A man whose parts are so small, that they are not worth the trouble of being named."

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To bescumber something meant to cover or spray it with feces—a vivid way to show disrespect. The term was often used metaphorically to suggest that something was worthless or beneath notice: after all, if you were willing to bescumber it, it couldn’t be worth much.

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Fopdoodle was an old-fashioned way to call someone a foolish nobody—a "dumbass" in vintage form. The word blends fop (a dandy) with doodle (a simpleton), making it a perfect insult for someone all style and no sense.

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While crap doesn’t pack the same punch it once did, its roots are surprisingly earthy, starting in farming.

It comes from Old Dutch krappen ("to pluck off") and Latin crappa ("chaff"). Through Old and Middle French, it became crappe in English, meaning discarded grain or waste.

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Numpty is a slang term used to insult someone’s intelligence, similar to calling them an "idiot" or "stupid." It is still occasionally used in Britain and Scotland, often in a lighthearted or gently mocking way.

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Jelly-belly was a Victorian insult aimed at the upper class, mocking their tendency to be overweight. At the time, obesity was relatively rare among the general population due to hard physical labor and limited access to food, which made heavier aristocrats stand out.

Out in the boondocks

Sleep better than a hibernating bear: 10 tips for cold-weather camping

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Winter camping is a unique experience, just as satisfying as camping during other times of the year. True, the weather can be more severe and unpredictable, and there are fewer daylight hours, but with proper preparation, winter camping offers unparalleled rewards. In this article, we’ve compiled 10 tips to help you get the most out of your cold-weather camping trip!

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A trip never truly begins on the first day of your vacation—it starts long before. First, choose the place you want to visit and make sure you have everything you need to live away from home for a few days. Once you’ve selected your destination, it’s time to plan your route. With the help of physical and topographical maps, you can study the terrain, check road and trail conditions, and estimate how long it will take to reach your destination.

It’s also essential to check local weather forecasts so you can avoid dangerous areas. Research the emergency services available in the region, and learn how to recognize and avoid avalanches if your route passes through areas with deep snow.

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Before heading out on a camping trip in cold areas, make sure you have the right equipment. Find a tent that is suitable for winter. For example, if you expect snow or strong winds, opt for a 4-season tent that can withstand harsh weather and help keep the interior dry and warm.

A proper sleeping bag is essential for ensuring a good night’s rest on your trip. It’s your best defense against the cold when temperatures drop at night. Bring a closed-cell foam sleeping pad as well—without a well-insulated pad underneath, even the warmest sleeping bag will quickly lose heat.

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Your winter camping gear is key—but so is your clothing! Your tent and sleeping bag will keep you warm at night, but during the day you’ll need clothing that is sturdy, waterproof, and warm. Choose garments that are insulating, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable.

Pack enough clothing so you can change when you sweat—this helps prevent chills and reduces the risk of getting sick. Pay special attention to socks and footwear; warm, dry feet make it much easier to maintain proper body temperature.

Pro tip: At night, stash your boot liners inside your sleeping bag. Few things are worse than slipping warm feet into frozen boots in the morning. Also store electronics, batteries, fuel canisters, and anything else you don’t want to freeze.

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It never hurts to pack more than you need. Pack extra batteries, a couple of gallons of additional fuel, more food than you plan to eat, extra gloves and socks, and enough toiletries to last the trip.

Remember, winter camping means fewer daylight hours, which makes you more dependent on flashlights and other light sources. If you’re camping in a snowy area, you’ll likely need to melt snow for drinking water—so plan for the extra fuel this requires.

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Once you arrive at your destination, your first task is to choose the right place to set up camp. Study your surroundings to find the safest and most suitable spot for your tent. Avoid areas that could pose a risk, such as avalanche terrain, landslide zones, or places with unstable or overhanging trees.

Look for the flattest site possible—one that gets plenty of sun and stays relatively dry throughout the day. A good trick is to orient your tent’s entrance toward the east so it catches the morning sun and warms up more quickly. As soon as you climb inside your tent for the first time, use your knees to smooth out the area beneath your sleeping pad. Don’t wait until night—once snow melts and refreezes, it becomes much harder to adjust.

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The best way to handle camping in cold conditions is to be proactive and plan ahead. For example, did you know that warm air rises and cold air falls? Digging a trench in the snow in front of your tent’s entrance allows the cold air to settle in the hole instead of around your body.

This technique—borrowed from igloo construction—has other advantages: the trench can serve as a bench for putting on or taking off your boots, and it makes getting in and out of the tent easier while helping prevent snow from being tracked inside.

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Staying hydrated is essential when camping in bitter cold weather, as the air dries you out more quickly and your body still needs plenty of fluids to function. Drink regularly, but avoid water that is too cold. Carry a sturdy thermos filled with hot broth, tea, or coffee, and insulate your water bottles to prevent freezing—wrap them in extra clothing or use dedicated bottle insulators.

Bring a camping stove to prepare or heat food. Eat consistently, even if you don’t feel hungry. If you wake up cold during the night, have a quick snack to "fuel your engine," focusing on calorie-dense foods like chocolate, cheese, and nuts. Always pack extra food in case you get trapped by a snowstorm—survival energy bars and canned goods can be lifesavers in extreme conditions

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On freezing nights, water vapor often condenses on the tent’s inner walls, your sleeping bag, and your gear—even with the door cracked open. When the ice melts, it can soak your equipment. Control frost buildup by keeping your gear covered or inside garbage bags, and by sweeping ice crystals into piles before they melt.

Another key tip for a restful night is to keep your sleeping bag as dry as possible. Your body produces heat and exhales warm air at night, both of which cause condensation that can reduce your sleeping bag’s effectiveness. To avoid this, air out and dry your bag thoroughly during the day to remove any excess moisture.

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We can’t stress this enough: always stay hydrated. Winter activities burn a lot of energy, so be sure to drink water regularly. While on the move, sip water every 20 minutes; at rest, drink every 40 minutes.

Equally important is protecting your skin. Snowy landscapes reflect a lot of solar radiation, increasing your exposure. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 three times a day—and never forget your ears! Finally, wear sunglasses or goggles to prevent eye injuries from glare and UV rays.

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Even if you’ve prepared well, chosen the best campsite, and packed the right equipment, freezing weather and snow can be unpredictable. That’s why it’s important to have a backup plan in case things don’t go as expected.

For example, always carry a map showing shelters, refuges, or rural houses in case it becomes impossible to continue camping outdoors. Bring food that doesn’t require cooking in case the weather is too bad to light a fire or use your camping stove. Also, plan some indoor leisure activities—if outdoor sports or adventures become impossible, you’ll want fun ways to pass the time inside your tent.