Profanity, also known as cursing, cussing, swearing, foul language, obscenities, expletives or vulgarism, is a socially offensive use of language. In its older, more literal sense, "profanity" refers to a lack of respect for things that are held to be sacred.
See also: Profanity in American Sign Language, Blasphemy law in the United States, Maledictology, Profane Swearing Act 1694, Kelpie, and Lawrence O'Donnell.