Swearing in Writing

By Xah Lee. Date:

Darren Rowse, the guy who became famous as a blogger that became a millionaire thru ads, asked in his post: «Do you swear on your blog?» https://plus.google.com/112726038360301567381/posts/ADzBwaKQRdJ

here's my answer, and i have a question if anyone can help.

i do it often, and for me, it's somehow natural to swear, insult, offend. Examples:

i think that if you find it natural to do so at the moment, then do it. (it's prone to happen more in hardcore programing communities) Though, of course the writing must have content. But also, advertisers will shy away from it, as usual.

Well-Known Writers Who Swear

are there well-known writers who swear a lot in their writing?

i've been trying to find well known writers today or in the past that are well known for blunt swearing or offensive style. I thought there surely must be few, but couldn't think of any. Closest i can think of is Marquis de Sade (For example, Justine by Marquis de Sade). Jonathan Swift came close (For example, A Modest Proposal and Gulliver's Travels, but mostly it's just offensive satire.

Another is Sir Richard Burton's translation of Arabian Nights, for example: The Arabian Nights: 70. ABU AL-ASWAD AND HIS SLAVE-GIRL (here we have penis-sucking in 1850, from tales of ~1500.) but again it's not that he swears freely, but rather he's just doing faithful translation.

Besides Marquis de Sade, the other i can think of that actually qualify is S.C.U.M Manifesto (by Valerie Solanas), but that's just a one-hit-wonder by a non-writer.

can anyone suggest other well-known writers who swear a lot in their work? I really like to collect a list. (note: porn/erotica writing doesn't count here. Am more looking for writers who swear a lot, or known for offensive writing style.) Am thinking there must be few from philosophers too. Thanks. (from the few of Darren's blog i read in the past, i knew it's not his style. I think he has written that even bitching/complaining style doesn't work for him.)

PS here's the list am starting with: