News & Politics

DC Effing Sucks at Swearing: Study

Residents of ten other US cities cuss more. WTF???

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Washington, DC, ranks only 11th on a list of US cities where people swear the most, according to what we are sure is a completely scientific survey by the language-education platform Preply.

Columbus, Ohio, holds the top rating on Preply’s list: Residents there use profanity an average of 36 times a day, the company found. DC residents curse an average of 22 times per day, the company found. That’s impressive, but it’s a long way behind Las Vegas (30 times per day); Jacksonville (28); Oklahoma City, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis (tied at 25); and San Francisco, Fort Worth, and Louisville (24).

The least cussy city in the US is Phoenix, followed closely by Portland, Oregon, and Boston,  a town known for gentle behavior and a level of civilization unknown to those of us down here in the frickin’ swamp.

Senior editor

Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.