> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://linguisticdiscovery.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Swearing could give you a physical edge - URL: https://linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/2026-07/ - Published: 2026-02-17T10:00:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-17T10:00:35.000Z - Description: Also this week: How the theory of the humors shaped English + New research uncovers the cerebellum’s crucial role in human language - Author: Daniel W. Hieber, Ph.D. - Tags: Current Linguistics, etymology, neurolinguistics, Maori, psycholinguistics, Minoan, slang, writing, Latin, writing systems Welcome to this week’s edition of *Discovery Digest*, a weekly roundup of the latest language-related news, research in linguistics, interesting reads from the week, and newest books and other media dealing with language and linguistics! ## 🆕 New from Linguistic Discovery *This week’s content from Linguistic Discovery.* ### The linguistic influence of the theory of the humors ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/02/image-12.png) 16th-century German illustration of the four humors: **Flegmat* (phlegm), **Sanguin* (blood), **Coleric* (yellow bile) and **Melanc* (black bile), divided between the male and female sexes ([Wikipedia: Humorism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com)) Until the 17th century most approaches to medicine relied on the [theory of the humors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com), which explained various medical issues as imbalances in the amount of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. As a result, humoric theory has had a pervasive (and rather sordid) influence on language as well: I recently learned that *sanguine*, for example, came to mean ‘hopeful, optimistic’ instead of the original ‘blood-red’ (*sanguine* is cognate with Spanish *sangre* ‘blood’) because this attitude was thought to arise when there was too much blood in the body compared to the other humors. Other humor-ous words that are based on some aspect of humoric theory include: - *humor*: originally ‘bodily fluids’, which need to be in balance to be in good humor - *complexion*: combination of humors - *crude*: producing unnatural humors - *equate*: make similar, balance or harmonize, in reference to humors - *evacuate*: expel humors from the body - *evaporate*: draw off humors as vapor - *flux*: abnormal flow of humors - *gout*: thought to be caused by drops of humors seeping into the joints - *impulsive*: pushing against the humors - *melancholy*: etymologically ‘black bile’ - *repercussion*: act of driving back humors - *repulsive*: able to repel the humors - *temperament*: proportion of bodily humors ## 📰 In the News *Language and linguistics in the news.* [Cook Islands community turns to full immersion education to save Māori languageThe Cook Islands community celebrated the launch of the first full immersion Te Reo Māori Kuki Airani primary school in Rarotonga.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/favicon-143.ico)Te Ao Māori NewsTiana Haxton of RNZ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/7MHN5FUB6BAM7LWN5AHMGQJ6IQ.jfif)](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2026/02/10/cook-islands-community-turns-to-full-immersion-education-to-save-maori-language/?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ## 🗞️ Current Linguistics *Recently published research in linguistics.* ### 16 years of brain scans reveal the cerebellum’s crucial role in human language ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/02/image-13.png) Language-responsive regions of the cerebellum. Credit: **Neuron* (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2025.12.030 > The cerebellum, often called the little brain, plays a much bigger role in language processing than once believed. Located at the base of the brain, the cerebellum has long been thought to be mainly responsible for motor response, balance, and basic coordination. A recent large-scale study analyzing brain scans from over 900 participants revealed a surprising new specialization within this region. - [16 years of brain scans reveal the cerebellum's crucial role in human language](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-years-brain-scans-reveal-cerebellum.html?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) (*Medical Xpress*) - Casto et al. 2026\. The cerebellar components of the human language network. *Neuron*. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2025.12.030](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2025.12.030?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com). ### Swearing could give you a physical edge ![Illustration of two people at a gym: one person in white struggles to lift a small barbell while looking worried, while another person in red easily lifts a massive barbell overhead while shouting curse words (shown as symbols "!?X⚡💀!!" in a black speech bubble).](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/02/image-14.png) New research says that swearing can boost our physical performance, improving both strength and endurance. To determine this, the research team asked 192 participants to perform a chair push-up and hold (lifting their body weight from a seated position using only their arms). One group repeated a swear word while doing so, and the other repeated a neutral word. The results showed unequivocally that when people swore, they could support their body weight for longer. Dr. Richard Stephens, who led the research, believes this performance-enhancing effect stems from people feeling less held back when swearing. [Scientists are now searching for the ‘strongest’ swear word. Here’s why — BBC Science Focus MagazineCursing isn’t just for when you stub your toe or miss your train. Science says it can boost your physical performance![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon_v6-3.png)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/AgEXQXI1SHVwV25ZUUJLdlZZeUZ1and2cVEAMA)](https://apple.news/Ar5HupWnYQBKvVYyFujwvqQ?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) - Stephens et al. 2025\. “Don’t hold back”: swearing improves strength through state disinhibition. *American Psychologist*. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001650](https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001650?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com). ## 📃 This Week’s Reads *Interesting articles I’ve come across this week.* [Without a Rosetta Stone, can linguists decipher Minoan script? | Aeon EssaysLinear B has yielded its secrets, but Linear A remains elusive. Can linguistic analysis unlock the meaning of Minoan script?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/safari-pinned-tab-3.svg)Aeon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/gettyimages-577729121.jpg)](https://aeon.co/essays/without-a-rosetta-stone-can-linguists-decipher-minoan-script?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) [The dead language tier listWhat I learned studying 7 historical languages![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F310d0223-9c59-42bd-a916-905ade8897a2-2Fapple-touch-icon-180x180-16.png)Dead Language SocietyColin Gorrie![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F2a69adda-cb31-40e4-8f54-9122d334d2b8_1278x1414.jpeg)](https://open.substack.com/pub/colingorrie/p/the-dead-language-tier-list) [Humans may communicate with aliens in mathematical language: StudySince humans and bees share a grasp of math, scientists believe mathematical concepts could bridge the gap between us and aliens.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/apple-icon-180x180-5.png)Interesting EngineeringRupendra Brahambhatt![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/alien-communication.jpg)](https://interestingengineering.com/culture/bee-shows-aliens-may-understand-maths?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) [Slanguage: How ‘6-7’ makes sense even though it means nothingSeemingly meaningless adolescent slang isn’t “brain rot,” it’s linguistically normal, developmentally appropriate and a way of belonging.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/web-app-logo-192x192-2d05bdd6de6328146de80245d4685946-68.png)The ConversationNicole Rosen![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/file-20260105-62-7qwn5j.jpg)](https://theconversation.com/slanguage-how-6-7-makes-sense-even-though-it-means-nothing-270006?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) [What Is the Latin Alphabet? - Rosetta StoneDiscover the history of many modern languages with a guide to the Latin alphabet, including how it’s changed throughout the centuries and how it’s stayed the same.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/cropped-RS-logo-15.png)Rosetta StoneJennifer Gunner![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/latin-alphabet-inscription-stone-1.jpg)](https://blog.rosettastone.com/latin-alphabet/?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ## 📚 Books & Media *New (and old) books and media touching on language and linguistics.* ### *Crystal’s Curiosity Cabinet* ![Book cover for Crystal's Curiosity Cabinet by David Crystal, designed as an orange cabinet of curiosities with compartments containing playful language-related objects: "LOL", punctuation marks "!?!!", an ampersand, a globe, a parrot, a robot, a British license plate reading "UK PL8TE", a pub sign, and a bust of Shakespeare. The subtitle reads "A Collection of English Language Curiosities" and a vintage microphone appears next to the title sign.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/02/image-15.png) [Amazon](https://amzn.to/4pqWUUP?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) | [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/110785/9781399823890?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) David Crystal, author of many popular language books, including *How language works* and *The stories of English*, has just released a new book, *Crystal’s Curiosity Cabinet: A collection of English language curiosities* ([Amazon](https://amzn.to/4pqWUUP?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) | [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/110785/9781399823890?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com)). Following in the tradition of the Victorian miscellany and cabinets of curiosities, the book is a set of observations on random, weird, and witty words and expressions that Crystal has collected over his many years working as a linguist. - [Amazon](https://amzn.to/4pqWUUP?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) - [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/110785/9781399823890?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ## 👋🏼 Till next week! Here’s a wonderful etymological flowchart for each of the primary colors in English, from [Starkey Comics](https://starkeycomics.com/2024/12/31/the-etymology-of-english-colours/?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com). Read the entire blog post with more details [here](https://starkeycomics.com/2024/12/31/the-etymology-of-english-colours/?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/02/image-16.png)