Think Australians are the world’s biggest potty mouths? You might want to think again.
Despite our reputation for colourful language and a national fondness for a well-placed expletive, new research suggests we’re not quite the online swear-bears we’re made out to be.
A team from the University of Queensland (UQ) has delved deep into the digital world, analysing a staggering 1.7 billion words of online content from 20 English-speaking countries.
Their mission? To find out who’s really letting loose with the language online.
Armed with a list of 597 vulgar words (yes, someone had to make that list), they crunched the numbers to see which nation swears the most on the internet.
The results? The United States took out the top spot for online swearing, with the United Kingdom hot on their heels.
And Australia? We didn’t even make the podium. According to lead researcher Dr Martin Schweinberger from UQ’s School of Languages and Cultures, ‘Some may find it disappointing. Australians really see vulgarity, swearing and slang as part of our culture—we’re very invested in it.’
So, what’s going on? Are we suddenly a nation of prudes, or is there more to the story?
Swearing: A national pastime (but maybe not online)
Let’s be honest: swearing is woven into the fabric of Australian life.
From the iconic ‘So where the bloody hell are you?’ tourism campaign (which, by the way, was banned in several countries for being too risqué) to the classic road safety warning, ‘If you drink, then drive, you’re a bloody idiot,’ we’re not shy about using strong language in public.
In fact, many overseas visitors are both shocked and amused by how freely we let fly with a ‘bloody’ or something a little spicier.
But when it comes to the online world, it seems we’re a bit more reserved. Dr Schweinberger suggests that Australians might be saving their best (or worst) language for face-to-face interactions.
‘Our study suggests Australians might still live up to our popular image of having unusually rich and inventive “bad” language,’ he says.
‘Especially thanks to our very public and colourful airing of swear words—this is something that’s often remarked upon by overseas visitors to the country.’
The study, published in the journal Lingua, is the first large-scale analysis of its kind, and it opens the door to more research on how language—and swearing—evolves in the digital age.
What does it all mean?
As language continues to evolve, so too does the way we express ourselves—both online and in everyday conversation.
Whether it’s shaped by culture, setting, or medium, swearing remains a fascinating reflection of how people connect, react, and communicate across different contexts.
What do you make of these findings? Have you noticed a difference in how Australians swear online compared to in person? Do you think swearing plays a meaningful role in cultural identity or is it simply a form of expression? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below.
Also read: Help in other languages
