Dictionary

four-letter word en · NOUN

Etymology

From the frequency of the most common swear words being composed of or spelt with four letters.

Meanings

1. A reference to any of several of the strongest English swear words that are also four letters long, especially those composing the so-called seven dirty words.
   • Good authors, too, who once knew better words / Now only use four-letter words 1934, Cole Porter, “Anything Goes”, in Anything Goes:
   • Words can make you pay and pay / Four-letter words I cannot say 1981, “Wordy Rappinghood”, performed by Tom Tom Club:
2. (broadly) A swear word or any words considered to be taboo in a given scenario (regardless of length of word).
   • “Tech” is not yet a four-letter word, but it could soon become one. 2018 January 20, Eve Smith, “The techlash against Amazon, Facebook and Google—and what they can do”, in The Economist:
   • People say that you were born lazy / because you think that work is four-letter word 1968, “Work Is a Four-Letter Word”, performed by Cilla Black:
   • To me, coming from you, 'Friend' is a four letter word 1996, “Friend Is a Four-Letter Word”, in Fashion Nugget, performed by Cake:

Forms