Language Most Foul

Have we always 'sworn like troopers'? Has creative cursing developed as a result of our not being able to just thump someone when they make us mad? And if such verbal aggression is universal why is it that some languages such as Japanese supposedly do not contain any offensive words? Throughout the 20th century there seems to have been a dramatic escalation in the use - and acceptance - of aggressive, offensive language in English, both verbally and in print. Today it seems almost commonplace to hear the 'f' word in general conversation, even on television. How has this come about and what does it tell us about ourselves and our language?