vulgaris

common; of the common people

1 / 1

A woman makes a conspicuous obscene middle-finger gesture across a café table while her companion recoils in offended distaste, depicting vulgar behavior without dialogue.

noun

vulgarity

vul-GAIR-uh-tee/vʌlˈɡærəti/

The quality or expression of being crude or lacking refinement.

Etymology

vulgarLatincommon; of the common people

+ityLatina quality or state

Latin vulgaris described what belonged to common people, a meaning that probably developed into the disparaging sense “unrefined.” Vulgarity came to name that coarseness, including tasteless or offensive acts and expressions.

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vulgarity