This essay is about young peoples’ use of swearwords and four-letter words. Through a questionnaire we have examined in what way 102 Swedish high school students use swearwords and four-letter words. We have also examined if there are any differences between girls and boys linguistic usage and what these differences may be. 

Our results show that almost all youths use swearwords and that a majority of them use four-letter words as well. The results also show that there are not any major differences between girls and boys. They use practically the same words in the same way. Our study also demonstrates that swearwords and four-letter words are most frequently used to enhance what someone is saying but that four-letter words are also used when to insult somebody. According to our re-sults the use of swearwords and four-letter words has become a part of young peoples’ daily vocabulary and these words are used no matter what they do or where they are. Of importance is who they are with. Our study point to the fact that girls and boys seem to use these words more frequently when they are together with friends and siblings than with their parents.