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CNA
15-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Why do some people swear while working out? Does it actually help you perform better at the gym?
I've recently started going to a gym where everyone is exceedingly polite. On any given day, the most explicit sounds are grunts and huffs, if at all. But in other gyms I've been to, swearing could be as commonplace as sweating. Nothing polarises people, gym-goer or not, as much as cussing does. But why? For instance, what makes the word 'f***' intrinsically offensive and 'puck' okay – even though they sound similar? For one, swear words are taboo words that are 'usually judged as shocking'. 'The swearer may be considered antisocial and offensive', wrote Associate Professor Nicholas Washmuth from Samford University's Department of Physical Therapy in a 2022 paper he co-authored. And in most cultures, there are three areas that are often contentious: Religion; sex and sexual body parts; and bodily excretions, according to Dr Karyn Stapleton, a senior lecturer from Ulster University's School of Communication and Media, in her paper. Which explains why 'damn', 'hell', "piss', 'ass', 'shit', "p****" and "f***" are often regarded as swear words. Then, there are those who regard swearing as a passionate way of communication – and even a sign of intelligence. "People that are good at language are good at generating a swearing vocabulary," said Timothy Jay, a professor emeritus of psychology at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on CNN. And for that matter, more honest as well. 'When you're expressing your emotions with powerful words, then you're going to come across as more honest," he added. WHY DO PEOPLE SWEAR IN SPORTS? Why indeed since 'swearing can negatively impact how the swearer is perceived by others, which may lead to social isolation and depression', according to Assoc Prof Washmuth? As the over-50 per cent of the population who swears 'sometimes' or 'often' in his study probably already knows, swearing can also have its benefits. 'Like drugs, words have an ability to change the way a person thinks, feels and performs,' he wrote. In a separate 2024 mini review on previous studies that look into swearing's effects, Assoc Prof Washmuth concluded that swearing 'has been shown to improve physical performance during short and intense tasks requiring strength and power development'. In a 2022 experiment, participants doing chair push-ups were able to hold the position for 10 per cent longer when swearing, compared to repeating a neutral word. In a 2023 study, where a swear word of the participants' choice (the majority chose "f***") was repeated every 5 seconds during each task, it was found that grip strength went up by 9 per cent, push-ups to fatigue extended by 15 per cent, planking to exhaustion by 12 per cent, and wall-sit time to exhaustion by 22 per cent. 'Delving deeper, researchers believe that it is not because of any mystical property of the four-lettered word but because swearing reliably induces a state of heightened physiological and psychological arousal as well as reducing inhibition,' said Assistant Professor Audrey Lim from SIT's Health and Social Sciences Cluster. The 'physiological arousal' could be the result of activating the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response during stressful or dangerous situations, she said. Also, 'the taboo nature of profanity can heighten emotions, producing a mini jolt of excitement, anger, aggression or bravado, which might trigger pain-inhibitory circuits, reducing the discomfort of effort or limitations by pain', said Asst Prof Lim. 'This naturally enables one to apply more force or persevere slightly longer than we otherwise could under a calmer state.' It's probably why athletes such as Serena Williams and NBA players sound as explicit as rappers on the court – although in some cases, swearing doesn't help with the exercise itself but as an expression of relief or victory, said Yan Lin, Bespoke Fitness's FitRX head coach. 'Swearing can also create a mental shift, helping people focus and feel more determined. In some ways, it works like the grunting sounds tennis players make to increase their power,' said Alla Demutska, the clinical director of psychotherapy and counselling at The School of Positive Psychology. 'When we swear, the brain's emotional centre, the amygdala, becomes more active. This could help people push through discomfort and give extra effort,' said Dr Demutska. 'While we don't fully understand all the ways this works, it's likely a mix of physical, emotional, and mental effects coming together to give that extra push.' HOW DO YOU TAP INTO THE BOOST FROM SWEARING? First, the timing appears to play a role, much like vocal expressions of exertion like grunting or huffing, said Dr Demutska. Research suggests that swearing just before or during an exertion may improve strength and endurance, she said. 'Experiments have shown that participants who swore at specific intervals – such as every few seconds or at a steady pace – demonstrated improved performance, regardless of the exact frequency or volume,' said Dr Demutska. Second, the language you cuss in also plays a part. 'Swearing is probably most powerful when done in your mother tongue. The connection is the most primal,' said Tiat Lim, a FitRX coach with Bespoke Fitness. Dr Demutska agreed: 'Research suggests that swearing tends to have a stronger impact when it's in a person's first language or a language with deep emotional ties as these words often carry more intensity and personal meaning. The choice of swear words may matter because our emotional connection to language influences how we react to certain words'. But don't take this as a sign to let fly your swear words; you don't want to disrupt or offend others. 'Cultural norms and social acceptability also play a role,' said Dr Demutska. 'Some words may carry more stigma or be less appropriate in certain environments.' WHAT IF YOU CAN'T SWEAR IN PUBLIC? You can still psyche yourself up or produce comparable effects as swearing through shouting, grunting or yelling, suggested Asst Prof Lim. 'The common thread is that heightened emotional intensity – whether induced by a swear word, a shout, an inspiring song or a slap on the back – tends to transiently increase one's ability to generate force,' she said. 'Replacing swear words with non-offensive but intense words or sounds that have strong emotional connections to the individual might still provide a similar effect.' Or do as Lim does and swear when you need to, such as 'for maximal effort to get you over the hump'. 'For example, when pushing your final-to-failure rep,' he said. 'We are a gym, not a library. If it helps to squeeze out better performance, hell yeah!' And while it may not be as effective (the scientific jury is still out on this), try swearing internally, suggested Asst Prof Lim. Saying it in your head or quietly to yourself may possibly enhance performance, she said. Dr Demutska also seconded the silent swearing alternative. 'Mentally repeating a swear word may still activate the brain's emotional and pain-processing centres without disturbing others.' If it's a family-friendly gym, try using positive, emotionally charged phrases such as 'let's go!' or 'jia you!' instead, said Dr Demutska. 'However, research suggests that made-up swear words don't have the same pain-reducing effects as real swear words.' Of course, you can always use non-verbal vocal exertion techniques such as grunting, forceful exhalation or controlled yelling. There are studies linking grunting to increased force output in sports like tennis and shouting to enhanced grip strength, said Dr Demutska. 'Until further research explores silent swearing, gym-goers may want to experiment with breath control, grunting or mental swearing to tap into its potential benefits – without risking side-eye from fellow lifters,' she suggested.
Buzz Feed
01-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
38 Things That'll Help Your Tech Alive And Kicking For Much Longer
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. It's a lovely day to fit a screen protector into your budget instead of buying a whole new Kindle. 1. A tempered glass phone screen protector that has saved my phone time and time again from my butter hands. It's so good (and you get three for under $10!) that I've been buying from this brand consistently since ~2017. Plus, it takes just a few minutes to stick onto your screen. If you buy anything from this story, buy this. It comes with everything you need to install the screen, including cleaning wipes and dust-removing stickers. And when the protector catches your phone's fall and cracks (as seen above), it does a good job of staying put until you need to remove it. This is one of the first things I started buying consistently after joining the BuzzFeed Shopping team thanks to compelling Amazon reviews, and I swear by it now. Promising review: "Today my daughter SLAMMED my truck door shut and it bounced back open. She looked down, and her phone was what stopped it from closing. She picked it up, and the bottom corner was shattered. We took the screen protector off, and her screen was perfectly fine. To say I'm SHOCKED that the phone was still in one piece would be an understatement. 1000% recommend!!!" — Debra J Get a three-pack for the iPhone 15 Pro Max from Amazon for $7.98 (available in basically every other phone size eve r). 2. Or if you love a multitasker, an iPhone 14 Pro Max privacy phone screen protector that's privacy, but make it glitzy. It's so cute! But what's even cuter is your nosey cubicle neighbor not being able to see that you're swiping on Bumble during your coffee break. Promising review:"It's been about five months since I purchased this screen protector, and I have to say, that it's held up well. The screen is beautiful when the screen is off. I've had a lot of compliments on the screen protector, and after five months and few light drops, it hasn't cracked or gotten scratched up (minus a few wear on the screen like light scratches). Well made and overall, a great screen protector. Installation is pretty easy with the kit it comes with, and I still have the second unused that I may end up switching if at some point the screen actually cracks." — Timothy Jay Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.99 (also available for the iPhone 14 Plus/13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max). 3. A Phoozy thermal phone pouch could really come in handy this summer when you find yourself parked outside in the sun but need your phone nearby so you don't fall behind in the group text. This Shark Tank –featured product is made with NASA tech and is military-tested, but won't interfere with your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular service so your phone keeps phone-ing without overheating. PHOOZY is a small biz specializing in thermal phone and electronic cases. Promising review: "Bought this so I could have my phone around the pool and in the garden with me. It does well in Oklahoma high summer heat. Also took it on vacation to Las Vegas, and it did great on a day trip to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. SUPER hot those days, but this kept the phone cooled down when I wasn't taking pictures with it. Well worth the money to have a functional phone when I needed it!" — Heather Bell Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors and two sizes). 4. A cooling laptop stand with a built-in fan to keep your lil' laptop going as long as possible, even if sometimes it gets a little TOO noisy when elbow deep in a spreadsheet. Merely keeping your electronics from overheating can go quite the long way in making them last longer. Promising review: "It looks small but is surprisingly heavy and therefore stable, even when using the swivel function. I love that the fan itself is removeable and has several positions. The fan is not loud at all. Keep in mind the fan is not rechargeable and does need to be plugged in viq USB-C the entire time it's being used. This stand is great for mobile use, especially when I want to use my walking pad under a table/desk — since I don't have a standing desk. There are lots of feet and grips for nonslip, which I deeply appreciate lol. Time will tell how it holds up, but I love it so far." — Mamma Bear Get it from Amazon for $50.34. 5. A surge protector you can plug your laptops, PCs, TVs, and gaming systems into so you don't have to worry about harmful power surges that can lead to data loss and shortened electronic lifetime expectancies. (Psst, power strips and surge protectors are NOT the same thing!) Amazon FYI, there are whole-house surge protectors and plug-in ones. This is a plug-in one! (You need to call in a pro for a whole-house version.) Surge protectors have ratings in joules and, according to CNET, you want a joules range of 200–400 to 2,000+. No, you don't want to plug ALL your stuff into the same surge protector. So you need to research your electronics, their positioning in your home, and the appropriate joules range for each surge protector. So this suggestion is less of a "This is top-ranked on Amazon and looks good!" Add to Cart situation, but perhaps a medium dive. Read more in this in-depth surge protector explainer. Get this Anker one with 2100 joules from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two cord lengths and two colors). 6. A pack of AirPod cleaning putty because you don't need to wait around 'til Prime Day to pick up a pair on the cheap. Turns out your built-up earwax is what's compromising the sound. Clean 'em! Airsquares is a small biz specializing in this product. And yes, you can use them on other ear buds, not just AirPods! Promising review:"I never usually write reviews but this is an exception. I've had my AirPods for over a year and when the sound quality was diminishing, I was afraid they had a short life expectancy and I would need to get a new pair! Even after using cotton buds to clean the AirPods out, I thought that was enough until my friend said there's stuff built up and hard to see, but there was nothing able to get it out! Enter this product — it literally took five minutes to clean each ear bud effectively and instantly the sound quality was as good as new! Loud, clear, less trouble connecting to my phone, etc. I really suggest giving this product. You don't need a full square to clean them, so you can pull a piece off or reuse a square with a side you haven't used! SO happy I found a solution!" — Amazon Customer Get 24 from Amazon for $16.99. 7. Goo Gone will zap all sorts of sticky messes on stuff you're trying to make outlive you, from post-sticker residue on electronics that's attracted every bit of dust in your home to a laptop that's covered in stickers you don't like. When I moved into my rental apartment years ago it came with a fridge with some stuck-on magnets I couldn't scrape off with my finger (and thus, ruined a manicure). My mom rec'd this stuff and it got rid of the mess easy-peasy. Since then I've rec'd it to a friend to successfully remove stickers from garage door windows. Note that this is flammable and you need just a drop or two! Promising review (for the laptop):"Updating my grandson's laptop that was covered in stickers. Peeled most of them off but was left with heavy sticky residue. After just a couple of applications of Goo Gone the laptop lid looked like new and smooth as glass." — RodH Promising review (for the speakers):"I used this on my JBL LSR4236P Studio Monitors, and it worked very well. For some reason, JBL decided to put some kind of weird adhesive on the front of these monitors, which caught every piece of cat hair and dust that touched it over the years. Used this with some paper towels and a little elbow grease and the adhesive came off quickly. The Picture I added: (Left) After Goo Gone (RIGHT) Before Goo Gone." — Andrew Promising review (for lots of other things): "I use it frequently to remove ultra-sticky labels from second-hand electronics and video games, and to remove other sticky gunk from them. Just a few drops go a long way, allowing me to restore these devices to their retro glory. Even new item price tags and labels can be hard to remove, sometimes leaving behind a messy residue, and without this stuff sometimes they get damaged trying to scrape the gunk off. With a drop or two of Goo Gone and letting it sit for a bit, this stuff always comes off extremely easily without marring the surface. One bottle lasts a long time." — Barefoot Birdie Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in different sizes). 8. A protective cable covering for keeping all sorts of critters from chewing on your cords, from cats to squirrels. They're going to have to go elsewhere for snacktime. Promising review: "These wire protectors work amazingly! I got them to keep my cats from chewing on my wires, and they do the job perfectly. They are tough to cut, but that's actually a good thing, it means they're strong and hard to break into, just as they should be. If you need reliable protection for your cables, these are a great choice!" — Clayton "The Alex Tech cord protector easily wraps around wires. I even had it continue over a hard 1/2-inch plastic cord protector. I used this to protect my trailer harness from the nut thieving tree rats, my loving wife calls squirrels. They chewed the last harness off." — CB in FL Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in a variety of sizes). 9. Or an expandable bundler that'll keep cords *neatly* contained behind your desktop, TV, stereo, gaming get my organized drift. This is a great option if you still want to protect and organize all your cords, but don't have to worry about any little chewers. Amazon, Promising review:"This was used to bundle up some 120-volt wires running the family room floor behind some chairs. We have a kitten in the chewing stage and needed to protect both the wires and the kitten. The installation was easy. The finished product looks neat." — Lion Mac Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes). 10. A sturdy Pikk-It tool with sharp metal teeth to un-ensnare tangled hair from your pricey vacuum cleaners. And perhaps even your beloved round brush dryer that you ALSO want to keep around as long as you can make it work. Simply cleaning your stuff on the reg can also go a long way in keeping it in tip-top shape! Yes it's effort, but it's well worth it. Promising review: "Cleaned three items in less than five minutes. Vacuum brush head and two hair brushes that have three girls' long hair. I can't wait to get the whole vacuum and rug cleaner bristles cleaned. I had to write this review after testing it out. Design is strong, sturdy, and handles great. Highly recommended." — Rob Get it from Amazon for $8.99. 11. Or a hairbrush cleaning tool that, yes, goes to work on a manual brush. But it'll really keep your pricey Dyson AirWrap (or not-so-pricey Revlon dryer brush) brush attachments in tip-top shape so you can keep giving yourself at-home blowouts. This tool helps get out dirt, hair, and product buildup that makes the dryer less effective. My colleague Jenae Sitzes is a big fan on her manul brush: "I finally tried out this tool with my Crave Naturals brush, which I used for (*checks Amazon order history*) TWO YEARS without every doing a deep clean of it. I mean, sure, I would regularly pull out the loose hair and whatever I could get to using my fingers, but there was always this gross layer at the bottom I couldn't reach, and I kind of just tried my best to pretend it wasn't there. LET ME TELL YOU: This tool is genius. With barely any effort, it pulled out that gross, years-old layer of *stuff* at the bottom of my brush (the photo above shows that layer already ~dislodged~ by the tool, right before I pulled it out), and now I don't have to feel disgusting every time I run it through my hair. It actually feels like it's doing a better job of *brushing* now too! Seriously, if you are a human with brushable hair on your head, you need this." Promising review (for using with a dryer brush): "It seems weird to buy a brush to clean your brush, but if you are like me and have long hair, this is a must. My hairbrushes were looking gross with hair stuck in them, and for some reason, my daughter gets a lot of lint stuck in her hair, which also gets in the brush. This thing removed it all! I also use it to remove hair from the bristles of my Revlon barrel hair dryer." — Bmu741 Get it from Amazon for $11.95. 12. A USB-powered LED light strip you can stick on to help improve your TV-watching experience by bringing in a bit of ambient light to your personal theater. Try this out to see if it gives you your desired at-home entertainment upgrade before you start measuring wall space and contemplate moving around furniture for a different TV. Promising review:"Easy to install. Lights provide ample lighting; USB allows lights to be a standalone fixture without tying up another wall socket. The USB interface also acts to turn the lights on and off with the TV. Backlighting also seems to make the screen seem sharper." — Shaun Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes). 13. A tiny but mighty tube of White Lithium Grease will help lubricate and, therefore, quiet down noisy parts that are rubbing together in the worst way possible — whether it's on your car sunroof, bicycle, garage door.... So many possibilities. At $5 a pop, it's worth buying now and keeping in your junk drawer before you need it. Reviewers have use it on their clippers, laptop fans, a garage door opener chain, snow blower parts, restoring old record players, suspension rod points in a washer, recliner parts, a car sunroof, and more. Just make sure that it's OK to use on whatever you're using. Promising review: "I use this on our garage door that gets a lot of wear and tear (upper Midwest winters and three active kids). It keeps the rails lubricated so the door runs smoothly." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $4.59. 14. An attachable LED light for your vacuum because you've been eyeing the Dyson with the dust-finding light after your friend said she bought it but you KNOW you don't need to get a whole new vacuum. This is under $20 AND, according to the reviewer quoted below, just might not be a good thing because you'll see even more dirt and dust that needs cleaning! Promising review: "Was easy to attach. I had to bring it forward a little so it would get a little more light in front. The only complaint is that it shows every bit of dust and debris in front. Now, instead of taking a few minutes to vacuum, it takes a while longer, but when I am through, the floor is clean. I am satisfied." — Radford swindell Get it from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in battery-powered or rechargeable models). 15. A pack of adhesive cord bundlers you can stick on the back of your kitchen appliances to keep power cords orderly instead of tripping up you and accidentally ripping them out of your prized KitchenAid mixer. 16. A waterproof pouch that I buy for every water-adjacent vacation I take (like Greece, Croatia, Panama, and even Iceland's Blue Lagoon) so I can freely use my phone and take pics without worrying about it dipping into a body of water. It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It also keeps out sand, dirt, and rain. With these, I find that they're good for about a day or two due to condensation and sunscreen rubbing on it. So, for a trip I'll buy two to three, except for this one where I just knew I'd be in the water at the Blue Lagoon. And while I'm on the subject, check out a TikTok I made using the phone case! On the day I went, we had to duck and run inside because of rain. And it was hailing on us when I was in the water, so I had to face a certain way to keep from getting pelted in the face. But, when in Rome! Then we went inside and ate lunch at the Lava Restaurant, and it was GORGEOUS and clear outside post-lunch. So, this case worked well taking pics in both bad and good conditions (as you can see from the two pics for comparison). I've used this case to take underwater pics, on boat rides, and have worn it with the lanyard jumping off a boat into water. So, I really trust these! Promising review:"Vacation must-have. I was skeptical about purchasing a waterproof case, but I'm so glad I did because I was able to capture fun water excursions worry free!" — Lisa D Get it from Amazon for $6.79 (available in 14 colors). 17. A keyboard cleaning gel to help get LOTS more mileage out of that wireless keyboard you bought for your WFH setup and has basically turned into a placemat for your work lunches. It'll help clean up dust, grime, and crumbs from in between the keys. You simply press it and watch it pick up allll kinds of mess. Promising review:"Working from home like a lot of people I eat at my desk. Crumbs were getting everywhere. Plus my cat loved to lay on my keyboard if I was using my laptop. It does such a great job of getting fur and crumbs up. I used a little bit at first because some of the reviews were saying it was sticking. But I didn't have that problem at all. It only now it's sticking to my keyboard and hands more. But that makes sense it's just a glob if junk. So much better than an air can. A must-have for all office desks." — Ashley Get it from Amazon for $5.99. 18. An electronics organizer with a place for just about every one of *your* and every member of your family's devices and corresponding cables so you don't get everything tangled up while searching for that ONE cord while you're on a trip. BUT reviewers also like it for at-home use. Promising review:"I've had this cord/charger organizer for three years. Been on several vacations, and it's going on another cruise (#3) next month. Not paying attention to anything negative, since I have nothing bad to say." — VB54 Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes). 19. A charging station rack so the fam's electronics can be neatly filed away (the cords get tucked into the base!) while they gas up for the next marathon of YouTube videos. This'll keep everything where you can see it AND the cords safe from trips. Promising review:"Wow, I wish I had purchased this long ago. We have five or six devices floating around/charging at any given time in our house. This is a great way to keep the charging area organized." — David Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two finishes). 20. A genius humidifier tank cleaner can help look after that lil' machine that's saving your skin and sinuses. This cartridge "swims" around the water tank, helping inhibit the growth of buildup for up to 30 days. You DO need to clean the tank! Promising review:"Just drop this in your humidifier and it keeps the water pretty darn mildew and mold free. Super easy to use, no smell, and safe. I have already repurchased and given a few to other people as well." — Kristine Get it from Amazon for $4.99. 21. A universal phone lanyard wristlet that'll serve as a little accessory but also keep your phone where it belongs, by your hand and not smashed on the ground. It's also great to prevent theft! PlusDesignCrafts is a small biz specializing in phone accessories. Promising review: "Wonderful item! Definitely works when I don't have pockets to put my phone in! Super cute colors and the quality is great!" — Morgan Fowler Get it from PlusDesignCrafts on Etsy for $8 (available in seven colors). 22. Or an adjustable guitar strap–like crossbody that'll keep your phone RIGHT where you want it. And it even has a clip-on for a zippered pouch in case you really wanna go hands-free and skip the purse. All the better to keep your phone NOT on the ground. Amazon Promising review: "I lose everything, I lose all my cards, especially my ID, definitely my phone, for sure my keys, and obviously my vape. Plus, I never have cash on me. Every problem listed solved for less than $10, and when I'm going on vacation, it will be much easier to keep my stuff secure as opposed to falling out of my pocket or being snatched, win-win." — Jennifer W. Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in eight styles). 23. And a universal phone connector patch can let you easily mix and match a wristlet, crossbody lanyard, or maybe even a bracelet you love with your phone. Cara Freeday / Etsy Cara Freeday is a Toronto-based small biz. Get it from Cara Freeday on Etsy for $3.76 (available in eight colors and with or without an initial). 24. Some moldable glue will help you extend the life of ALL kinds of chargers by wrapping it around vulnerable parts. This magical stuff *permanently* sticks to surfaces like glass, ceramic, wood, metal, and non-oily plastics. Several reviewers have also used it to repair expensive key fobs. Promising review:"I was skeptical, but this stuff has already saved me $60. My Macbook charger was fraying by the magsafe connector and I was looking at having to spend $80 on a new one. I saw this stuff online and decided to give it a try. Took one of them out of the package and it was soft and malleable, like putty. I molded and shaped it around the break in the cord, and below the break and over the magsafe connector. After 24 hours, it was hard rubber that was stuck to the cord and magsafe connector like glue. I can see this lasting a long time. It'll probably still be going strong long after I decide to retire this Macbook and move on to another. Incredible stuff!" — Scott K Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.84 (available in several color combos). 25. A Strapcicle for your Kindle that'll keep the corners from getting dinged up and keeps the screen from touching any rough surfaces when you put it face down. But perhaps most importantly, it helps you hold your Kindle in a hand-friendly way instead of falling on your nose when you start to doze off after it just gets good. Just one more chapter! One reviewer with carpal tunnel says this made it much easier to read at night. Promising review: "I will probably never go back to a Pop Socket. These are so comfortable. I do miss being able to see more of my stickers, but it's still cute, and these are more practical. They are not bulky and add protection to the corners and even prevent the screen from touching any surface you lay it on. The matching clutch adds even more protection. They fit perfectly with the Strapcicle clear case." — Clint Get it from Amazon for $15.68 (available in 11 colors and three sizes). 26. A *matte* Kindle screen protector if you can only do an e-reader without the glare. Reviewers say this does the trick! Promising review: "I'm so glad I found these! The matte aspect of it was why I wanted them, and it looks basically the same as the matte on my Kindle ColorSoft!" — Monica P Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.94 (available in a variety of screen protector types). 27. A zippered, padded laptop sleeve (or tablet sleeve!) because throwing your laptop just into your tote hasn't been the best choice you've made recently. Vandel is a small biz specializing in laptop and tablet cases. Promising review: "I got this so I could protect my laptop (Lenovo Ideapad 5) while we traveled. It protected it in my carry-on for several flights and is super cute. Will be taking this to college as well to protect it as I go from class to class." — TJM Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 10 colors/patterns). 28. A Steam Deck screen protector you might forget you installed (because there's no glare) until you let it slip out of your hands when your cat sneaks up on you close to dinner time. Amazon Promising review: "This was easy to install, and protects very well. I installed this on my OLED model and my wife's LED model. I like that it provides glare resistance so I don't lose that from the etched glass on the OLED, and also get protection from scratches or cracks." — Mitchell Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99. 29. Plus, a Steam Deck protective case with a detachable front that reviewers say will take up less room in your backpack than a standard carrying case. And, there's a cooling option available. Amazon Promising review: "The case works to perfectly protect your device with cutouts in all the perfect spots to plug items in. Saves me so much backpack space compared to storing the Steam Deck in the standard carrying case." — Gogoferrari "I'm mad I didn't look sooner. The wrap-around case itself adds a lot of security in the grip of the Steam Deck without being super intrusive. The texture on the grips is great. Overall, the case doesn't inhibit anything about the deck. The ports and vents are unobstructed. The power and volume buttons are covered but maintain their tactile feedback. The kickstand feels strong enough. Time will tell. The cover fits snugly. It requires some force to take off, but then you can rest assured it won't come off in a bag. There is padding against the screen as well." — Rob Get it from Amazon for $28.49+ (available in four types, including a cooling one). 30. Electronic screen–cleaning wipes that'll be a total game-changer if using window and glass cleaner and paper towels has yielded less-than-desirable results. The cleaner the screens are, the longer you can live 'til your partner starts talking about buying a new TV.... EVEO is a small biz specializing in screen cleaners. Promising review: "I wish I had come across this product a long time ago. I used to clean my electronics and screens with standard cleaners/wipes/Windex. This was a game changer and actually protects your electronics, along with cleaning them. The only downside is that they can be a little wet and take a while to dry. I use a microfiber cloth to clean up the excess. I will definitely be buying this product again when I use up what I have left." — Chris R Get 80 wipes from Amazon for $14.97. 32. Replacement joystick covers that'll work on your Switch or Switch Lite and are ready to take all kinds of punishment without budging. Promising review: "Best replacements I could hope for. I think they're more comfortable than the originals because they don't have the little notches in them, these are much smoother. They do not rotate or twist, it's truly a snug fit." — Rebecca Get a six-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in black or white). And if you're looking for other replacement parts, the brand Skull & Co has LOTS of options. 33. An Oxo (so you know it's good) laptop cleaner with a brush and microfiber pad because not every mess needs compressed air or cleaning spray. And it'll fit in your pocket so it's easy to throw in your work bag. Promising review: "This little guy surprised me. The one end did a great job cleaning my screen. It is a touch screen, so it is in constant need of cleaning. The brush end for the keyboard is very soft-bristled. So it is really good at getting debris from the flat surface, but it doesn't really reach under the keys if there is anything under there. I like it, though." — Ria Get it from Amazon for $11.99. 34. A colorful HP laptop keyboard cover to put a physical barrier in between the coffee you sip on throughout your morning and your laptop. Just in case! There's a plethora of keyboard covers on Amazon. Just double-check that you're ordering one that'll fit your laptop model! Also check out a "ghost" keyboard cover. Promising review: "I initially chose this for the aesthetic of the black and silver look, but it ended up being more than just a stylish accessory. It actually saved my laptop when I accidentally spilled something on it, providing great protection." — Tierra Smith Get it from Amazon for $6.48+ (available in 15 styles). 35. A wooden cord organizer that'll blend in with the rest of your living room furniture while keeping your stash of charging cords handy and away from the cats. I mean, it doesn't have to be pretty inside. But it sure beats buying replacement cords for the stuff you already have. LuxeDesigns is a small business that makes sustainable wood decor items for the home. Promising review: "This is a very nice box for cable management. I put it on the back of my couch for all of the various things we have plugged in, and it hides all the cords nicely. The quality is great. Keeps the cords organized well, and it's not too heavy. It has little magnets on the lid to keep it closed, but the magnets are not so strong that you can't easily open the lid with one hand." — Alyssa Fyffe Get it from Amazon for $44.97+ (available in five finishes). 36. A set of heavy-duty cord wraps to get your extension cords up and off the floor, where they can stay clean and in fighting shape for the next time you use them. They're also a great way to turn a blank garage way into a useful, organized space. Amazon Promising review: "I was sick of my cords and compressor hose hanging off of and on top of my table saw. I saw these on Amazon and have (or had) some available wall space in my workshop. What a great solution!" — LrngToFly Get a six-pack from Amazon for $16.99 (available in other sizes and quantities). 37. A gaming controller stand will keep your precious controllers tidy and ready for use. Each tier is adjustable and swivels so you can put a variety of controllers, headphones, and handheld consoles on there. Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed My colleague Sally Elshorafa has and loves this: "This small but mighty stand has made my life so much easier, and I'm not being dramatic. I have two little kids, including one especially grabby toddler, and we run everything through a PlayStation: TV, movies, streaming, gaming — you name it. So the controllers are in constant use and used to be constantly missing. My kids loved to grab them, press every button, or stash them in mystery locations. It was chaos. Sometimes we'd hide them ourselves to keep them out of reach, then forget where we put them. This stand solved all of it. Now the controllers have a dedicated home, the kids can't reach them, and bonus: it actually looks really good. I'm a huge fan." Get it from Amazon for $21.91+ (available in white or black). 38. A 4-in-1 vinyl record cleaner kit to keep your collection in the best shape possible so you won't doubt whether it's time to start pricing out another record player. Is it the stylus or the record? That's never a fun guessing game! Each kit includes an ultra-soft velvet record brush, bottle of cleaning liquid, stylus brush, and a storage pouch Promising review: "I've cleaned a dozen or so records with this and love it! The wood handle brush works great. It takes just two sprays of the spray to clean an entire side, and it cleans well. I recommend this for anyone that wants to preserve their collection and protect their stylus." — BobbyD87 Get it from Amazon for $22.95. Also check out some outer sleeves for your records to keep the outer record sleeves pristine, too! Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
New York Times
08-02-2025
- General
- New York Times
Curses! A Swearing Expert Mulls the State of Profanity.
Cursing is coursing through society. Words once too blue to publicly utter have become increasingly commonplace. 'Language is just part of the whole shift to a more casual lifestyle,' said Timothy Jay, a professor emeritus of psychology at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Mass. Dr. Jay has spent a career studying the use of profanity, from what motivates it to the ways in which it satisfies, signals meaning and offends. Although officially retired, he has continued to edit studies on profanity and he recently offered an expert opinion in an ongoing legal dispute in Michigan over whether the phrase 'Let's go Brandon' (a euphemism used to denigrate former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.) should be reasonably interpreted as 'profane.' (It should not, Dr. Jay opined.) Dr. Jay posits that the increasingly casual nature of the spoken word derives in part from the way people communicate on social media. One study, published in 2014 by other researchers in the field, found that curse words on Twitter, now known as X, appeared in 7.7 percent of posts, with profanity representing about 1 in every 10 words on the platform. That compared to a swearing rate of 0.5 to 0.7 percent in spoken language, the study found. If that data troubles you, Dr. Jay has some thoughts on how to dial back the profanity. F*@%-free February, anyone? Tis interview has been condensed and edited for clarity, and scrubbed of some of the vernacular that Dr. Jay conceded he regularly uses on the golf course. Why does social media contribute to more casual use of language? People are remote, so they can be aggressive without any physical retaliation. By and large, you're anonymous, so there's no personal consequence. It's also part of a larger shift to a more casual lifestyle. What kids are wearing to school these days would have been disgraceful in my day. Is that a problem — not the clothes, the swearing? Our culture is constantly evolving and will continue to evolve. One place it is a problem is the way that women are increasingly attacked online and harassed. So you don't really see this development as positive or negative? Slang is made to confront authority and to create a code that identifies one as an in-group member. Misuse of slang means you are an outsider. Slang must change with time. The casualness of language coexists with the casualness of clothing styles, workplace behaviors, music lyrics, television content, table manners, et cetera, which have trended in general to a more relaxed state post-World War II, especially notable in the 1960s. You're saying that curse words that people once avoided they now say regularly. For years, I asked people to rank swear words on a scale of one to 10 of which words were the worst. A five would be 'damn' or 'hell.' That was the middle range. A hundred years ago you couldn't have used them on the radio; now they're in the comic strips in the newspaper. What ranks as a 1? 'Sugar.' What about other alternatives to longstanding curse words? Can I run a few by you? Go ahead. 'Fudge' — satisfying? Not to me. I hear a lot of people say 'flipping' or 'freaking.' Which one do you prefer? I like 'frickin'' — I've used, 'Shut the frickin' door!' What do you like about that? It's similarity to … [expletive]. So if something is phonetically similar, that makes it satisfying? It's how it feels in your entire body — an autonomic nervous-system reaction to hearing someone say [expletive] or saying [expletive] yourself. It raises your pulse, heart rate, breathing rate all above the use of a nonoffensive word such as 'calendar.' We recorded skin-conductance tests that demonstrated that taboo words produce a more emotional reaction than nontaboo words. The word arouses us in knowing that we are going to say it and continues to arouse us even after speaking. Do these words provoke physical aggression? My research group has recorded over 10,000 people swearing in public. Not once have we seen these usages turn into aggression or violence. Most swearing is casual, conversational and pretty harmless. At the same time, we are more sensitive to language issues surrounding sexual harassment, racial-ethnic-gender discrimination, verbal abuse and threatening language than in the past. What draws us to a particular word? It's personal. One's psychological history with hearing and saying a word mainly in childhood, and then the consequence of using the word again, brings about the feelings previously associated with the word. It's social, meaning the words that are important emotionally not only depend on the speaker's psychological relationship with the word but also the value and valence of the word within a speaker's community. And it's physical. Does that suggest that euphemisms may not satisfy, and that therefore we can't curb our cursing? The key to breaking a habit is being aware that you do it and then trying to circumvent that. So you can change the pattern should you wish to? Yes. If you think about how memory works, what you've done is you've activated the new word in your brain. And so by activating 'freakin'' or 'sugar,' you're making that more salient. In other words, with practice, you can diminish the potency of the curse word and strengthen the lure of the euphemism. Yes, but you have to be aware of both pieces and that one of them has natural salience. Recently, I was watching my grandson, a mogul skier, when he went off course. And I just said, 'dang.' He's 18 years old, and I try not to swear around him. But I have to think about it, especially when I play golf. From where you sit in retirement, do you feel that swearing research is in good hands? I gave a keynote speech to a group of international scholars meeting on swearing and cursing in Cologne, Germany, in 2015, two years before I retired. I was 65 years old at the time and most of the speakers were in their 30s and 40s. I realized that there was a new generation continuing to study taboo words in a manner that I pioneered in the 1970s. It was about time to step aside and let them have the glory.
