Researchers at the Keele University School of Psychology asked 64 undergrads (why is it always the undergrads that get abused?) to put their hand in freezing cold water and repeat a swear word of their choice. They were then asked to repeat the process while saying a plain word that describes a table. When the undergrads were allowed to swear their heads off, they were able to keep their hands in the frigid water longer. The researchers thus saw the link between swearing and pain tolerance.

How swearing increases pain tolerance isn't exactly clear, the researchers admit. They believe that it may be because swearing triggers our "flight-or-flight" response. Accelerated heart-rates in the volunteers who were swearing may indicate increased aggression--what the researchers called "downplaying feebleness in favor of a more pain-tolerant machismo."

So the next time you whack your hand on the car door, or trip down a flight of stairs, let out your favorite four-letter swear word--it's good for your health, after all. (Except if your Mom's in the room!)

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