Definition
A word, phrase, or expression considered crude, offensive, or unsuitable for formal or polite speech; also refers to a linguistic feature that marks speech as common or lower-class. The term can be applied neutrally to study language patterns in non-standard dialects.
Example Usage
The scholar noted that several vulgarisms in the old text reflected the working-class origins of its author.
Origin
From Latin 'vulgaris' (common, of the people), derived from 'vulgus' (the common people).
Fun Fact
Vulgarisms are often stigmatized in prescriptive grammar but are completely natural and regular features of everyday speech across all social groups.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “vulgarism” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator