Common Sense Media Review
By Marina Gordon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Six oft-taboo profanities take center stage in short series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
History of Swear Words
What's the Story?
In THE HISTORY OF SWEAR WORDS, Nicolas Cage, whom many viewers may assume is the king of the curse word (spoiler: he's not), presides over a lightly amusing and predictably profane exploration of six expletives, each with its own 20-minute episode. Seated in a presumably green-screened library/study, Cage uses his most professorial manner to deliver some history and wax poetic on each word (and, of course, utter it repeatedly with relish). An array of opinionated comedians and actors (Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser, Joel Kim Booster, Zainab Johnson, Nick Offerman, and others) and linguistic and pop culture experts share the origins and experiences of each term, interspersed with TV and movie clips and original graphics and animations.
Is It Any Good?
Dip into any five minutes of this six-episode series about six well-loved and oft-forbidden curse words and you'll know exactly what to expect of the other 115 minutes. Nicolas Cage is a surprising host for this slight History of Swear Words; perhaps the lure was zestily uttering the words that double as episode titles: "F--k," "S--t," "Bitch," "D--k," "P---y," and "Damn." Some popular comedians well-known for their colorful language (e.g., Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser, Zainab Johnson) share their observations on the words, but aren't laugh-out-loud funny nor particularly insightful. Better context and lessons come from lexicographer Kory Stamper, real-life professors (as opposed to Cage's professor shtick), and other wordsmiths. Most high schoolers will have heard all these words, in all their variations, well before watching this show. Who'll be offended? Probably anyone named Dick.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the use of swear words affects your perception of a character in TV shows or movies/
What do you think about the ratings put on TV shows and movies that feature swear words? Are they too high, or too low? Were you introduced to swear words in media?
What insights does this show offer about the history of language and linguistics?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 5, 2021
- Cast : Nicolas Cage , Sarah Silverman , Nikki Glaser
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 8, 2025
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