because women have for so long been socialized to speak more politely, they are more likely to say things like “good grief” and “oh, shucks,” while men say “goddamnit” and “holy shit.” To Lakoff, women’s watered-down curses were less powerful, less communicative, and thus more ladylike—and they reflected their position in society as weaklings and whiners. “Women don’t use off-color or indelicate expressions,” she stated.
