Detroit Lands 4th Spot in Colorful Language Rankings
Detroit’s profanity-prone language has put it in the spotlight. A comprehensive study analyzing 1.7 million social media tweets shows the Motor City is the fourth most profanity-prone city in the US.
WordTips did the research, checking social media tweets to find America’s swearing hot spots. The US won the title of most foul-mouthed country in the world, with a whopping 41.6 tweets per 1,000 having spicy words. The UK is behind with 28.6 expletive-laden tweets per 1,000, while Australia and New Zealand follow with 26.6 and 25.2. Canada is last with just 24.6 per 1,000. (Are our neighbors up north really more polite?)
Other top swearing states include:
- Maryland is first with 66.3 tweets per 1,000
- Louisiana is next at 61.7 per 1,000
- Georgia is third with 57.4 per 1,000
Detroit’s 66 messages with expletives per 1,000 is more intriguing when you look at all of Michigan. The Great Lakes State was 10th among states, with 45.3 expletive-laden tweets per 1,000. It was the first for profanity use in its area. The substantial difference within Michigan itself adds another twist. Ann Arbor, just 45 miles away, is the third least profanity-prone city in the country.
Peeling back the layers of profanity patterns, the research shows some revealing facts:
- Gen Z: 24 expletives per day
- Baby Boomers: 10 expletives per day
- Men: 22 expletives per day
- Women: 18 expletives per day
- Average American: 21 expletives per day
- Average age to start using profanity: 11 years old
Beyond mere curiosity, this research highlights how social media has transformed language usage, providing a platform for unrestricted expression. But online communication might not be the same as how people really speak every day. Different views on profanity in different places and age groups hint at bigger changes in how we act. This shift in language could change how we communicate, act at work, and even feel mentally. Some erudite people say cursing can help with pain and make friends. As Detroit and other urban areas navigate their profanity notoriety, a substantial question comes up: How will these trends influence how we communicate in cities and beyond in the future?
| Rank | City | Profanity Rate (per 1,000 tweets) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore, Maryland | 78.2 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 72.9 |
| 3 | Atlanta, Georgia | 66.7 |
| 4 | Detroit, Michigan | 66.0 |
| 5 | Houston, Texas | 63.2 |
| 6 | Cleveland, Ohio | 62.6 |
| 7 | Oakland, California | 61.3 |
| 8 | New Orleans, Louisiana | 60.3 |
| 9 | Long Beach, California | 60.1 |
| 10 | Memphis, Tennessee | 57.6 |
