What does vulgarism mean?
A vulgarism is a word or expression considered indecent, offensive, or inappropriate in polite or formal speech. The term is often used in editorial, literary, linguistic, and historical discussion, especially when analyzing controversial language or censorship. It is related to, but not identical with, profanity: profanity commonly refers to swear words, while vulgarism can include other coarse or indecent expressions. “Vulgarity” is also broader, describing coarse language or unrefined behavior as a general quality. The word is useful because it allows speakers to identify offensive language without reproducing it. Its history is especially instructive: the adjective “vulgar” ultimately comes from Latin words meaning “common” or “of the common people,” but English gradually developed its modern, derogatory sense of being coarse, low, or offensive.
nounA word, phrase, or expression regarded as indecent, offensive, or too coarse for polite or formal speech.
- A word, phrase, or expression regarded as indecent, offensive, or too coarse for polite or formal speech.
"The editor removed the vulgarism before the speech aired."
"The commentator was criticized for using a vulgarism during the live broadcast."
"Her essay examines how newspapers in the nineteenth century censored vulgarisms in public literature."
The plural is used when referring to several separate indecent or offensive expressions.
"The editor deleted several vulgarisms from the transcript."
The word’s “vulgar” root originally meant “common,” not “crude”—its derogatory sense developed later.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vulgarism
The word is formed in English from vulgar plus the suffix -ism. Vulgar comes through Old French from Latin vulgaris, “common,” “popular,” or “of the common people,” ultimately associated with vulgus, meaning the crowd or ordinary populace. The Latin sense did not originally mean indecent; the English word acquired its strongly disparaging social meaning over time, and vulgarism developed from that later sense.
How vulgarism is actually used
Usually formal or analytical in tone. In everyday speech, profanity and vulgarity are more common, while vulgarism can sound somewhat euphemistic, formal, or academic.
Easily confused with vulgarism
A vulgarism is a particular indecent or offensive expression, whereas vulgarity is the broader quality or habit of using coarse language or behaving in an unrefined way.