A recent survey by the Guardian found that many believe the Irish have the most relaxed attitudes to swearing. 

One respondent said, “while all western countries write in cursive, Ireland is the only country to speak in cursive.” 

Another answer read, “F*ck off can be anything from humorous dissension to mild disbelief to a threat of violence.” 

Actress and writer Claudia Carroll said she could only speak for Dubliners, but they are “vehement swearers in the city”. 

“We have a habit of taking a word and hypentaing to insert a swear,” she told The Hard Shoulder. “For example, the classic ‘abso-effing-lutely'.” 

Ms Carroll said Irish people often don’t realise how much we swear until someone from another person reacts to our language. 

“You see a lot of nations that come here who are more conservative enough and expressing shock at how much we swear,” she said. 

“You might say it as a good-natured, affectionate slag, and I think other nationalities might not be on board with that.” 

'Sentence enhancers'

Comedian Steve Cummins, a self-labelled “swear word collector”, said some countries are too sensitive when it comes to swearing. 

“Americans are now shocked by our swearing?" he said. "Come on - the Americans are always shocked by our swearing."

Mr Cummins said swear words are “sentence enhancers”. 

“You do feel better for using it – if you stub your toe and say ‘fiddlesticks’, you’re not going to feel better,” he said. 

JFCKH8 Argument, fight, curse or swearing concept. Disagreement on an online forum or internet. Two speech bubbles argue. Speech balloon cut from carboard.

Ms Carroll said that Irish people do typically understand the time and place not to swear.  

“Isn’t it all about timing?” she said. “The right swear will come at the right place and time. 

“If were in the workplace, we can pull it back. If we have to pull it, we can pull it right back.” 

Mr Cummins agreed and said it’s also important not to over-swear. 

“Language is all about communication,” he said. “With any use of language, if you overuse it, it’s going to lose some of its power.” 

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