Swear jar

A swear jar in China containing Reminbi

A swear jar (also known as a swear box, swearing jar, cuss jar, or cuss bank) is a device to help discourage people from swearing.[1] Every time someone utters a swear word, others who witness it collect a "fine", by insisting that the offender put some money into the box.[2] The container may be made of glass, porcelain, or metal, and may have a lid with a slot. From time to time, the accumulated money may be used for some agreed-upon purpose, or contributed to charity.

A swear jar might not be a physical object; instead, a notional swear jar is referred to by people to indicate someone's use of bad language has been noted.

A swear jar may also refer to a jar into which one swears so the profanity cannot be heard by others.

Commercially produced swear jars

Most swear jars are homemade, however tins and boxes specifically designed for the purpose are marketed commercially, some of which have a "scale of charges" printed on them. Various materials are used to produce them. Earlier designs were commonly porcelain. Modern versions, often glass, are available online via eBay, other shopping websites, and even sites dedicated to selling only swear jars.

Online swear jar

There is an online swear jar called "Charity Swear Box" by Fueled. When users enter their name in a search box on a web page their past tweets on Twitter are analysed for any profanities. These are then added up and the user is shown a suggested amount to give to their favourite charity.[3]

In popular culture

This device has been referred to in numerous novels, and has been a main theme in various television sitcoms and movies.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Swear jars.

References

  1. "Swearing and Bad Language". education.byu.edu. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  2. Dimbleby’s Swear Box on BBC Panorama
  3. Charity Swear Box at the daily activist. Retrieved 14 August 2013
  4. "Jon Stewart rips Obama administration over reported VA wait time cover-ups - Yahoo News". News.yahoo.com. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  5. "Bud Light’s ‘Swear Jar’ Wins Emmy for Outstanding Commercial". Anheuser-Busch.com. 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  6. Nobel, Carmen. "Creating Online Ads We Want to Watch — HBS Working Knowledge". Hbswk.hbs.edu. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
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