The Art of Verbal Warfare

We use salty or artful language to win arguments, slander, cheat and bully, as well as to express feelings of joy or frustration by swearing or blowing off steam. Rik Smits delves into the magic of oaths and profanity, art and advertising, the lure of fake-news and propaganda, as well as invective and off-colour jokes the world over. The book shows why conversation dies in crowded lifts, and what drives you to curse at your laptop. This is, when all is said and done, the story of how we get through life without coming to physical blows.