Tourettes Syndrome

[seal!]

Why is swearing one of the "ticks"?

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/symptoms/coprolalia.html for a web-page all about coprolalia in Tourette's. 

[seal!]

but, why swear, why not other words, i still don't really understand why obscenities are spoken.

[Clanad]

But there are "other" vocalized "tics" than corprolalia, one being echolalia; the repeating of words spoken by others or oneself.  Actually, as Quizmonster's reference indicates, corprolalia is fairly rare in Tourette's, affecting less than 10% of sufferers. Since no cause is known, nor any remedy available for the affliction, reasons for tics are unknown as well.  Obviously, the region of the brain responsible for inhibitions is affected, as it is in other abnormalities, such as Alzheimer's...

[Quizmonster]

Dear Seal, your question: "Why swear, why not other words?" reminds me of the man who was referring to nutters who murder others and then claim that voices in their heads told them that's what they had to do. The man asked: "Why do these voices always tell them to slaughter people? Why don't they ever say: "Pop into town and do a bit of shopping"? 

The only answer is really that that's just how it is. As Clanad suggests, it almost certainly has to do with the breaking of inhibitions.

[Hamish]

Interesting thought Quizmonster. However, no one would consider it strange if they told him to do something normal and therefore it wouldn't be noticed.....or perhaps the voices wouldnt be recognised as voices?

[Clare A]

Following on from Quizmonster & Hamish, why is it that people only ever hear voices coming from the television? Never any 'white goods' like freezers or washing machines...