Obscenity
/ɒbˈsɛn.ɪ.ti/noun
The quality of being obscene; offensive or indecent sexual or vulgar expression.
Did you know?Obscene and obscenity come from Latin roots tied to what was considered spiritually or ritually “off-stage,” and the word’s history shows how language can mark taboo as something dangerous, not just indecent.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱey-
“To lie down, rest, or settle”
Latin
Latin
scaena
“A stage, scene, or theatrical setting”
Latin
Latin
obscenus
“Of ill omen, indecent, foul, disgusting”
Late Latin
Latin
obscenitas
“Obscenity, foulness, indecency”
Middle English
English
obscenite
“Obscenity; moral offensiveness”
Modern English
English
obscenity
“The quality or state of being obscene”
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