Literary notes about shit (AI summary)
In literature, the word "shit" functions as a versatile intensifier and a marker of raw authenticity. It punctuates moments of shock or disbelief—as in a startled "Holy shit" that captures sudden revelation [1, 2]—while also conveying defiance or dismissal in expressions like "I don't give a shit" [3]. It frequently appears to comment on the gravity or absurdity of a situation, such as hinting at serious legal trouble with a blunt "deep legal shit" [4] or critiquing disappointing circumstances with its casual, cutting edge [5, 6]. Some authors even employ it in more archaic or stylistically distinctive passages to add irreverence and humor to their texts [7]. Overall, its flexible usage enhances dialogue and narrative by mirroring the vivid, sometimes gruff cadences of everyday speech [8, 9, 10].
- * * * * * "Holy shit," Scott said as Sonja opened her apartment door and admitted Miles and the stunning Stephanie.
— from Terminal Compromise by Winn Schwartau - "Holy shit," Scott said rising from his chair.
— from Terminal Compromise by Winn Schwartau - His 'I don't give a shit' attitude was evident.
— from Terminal Compromise by Winn Schwartau - Truthfully, there could be some deep legal shit coming out of all this.
— from Syndrome by Thomas Hoover - We were attention whores and we built and ran cool shit.
— from Makers by Cory Doctorow - “Yes, that’s me.” “Honest Fred is full of shit.
— from Makers by Cory Doctorow - And so for lovers, in hir wening, Whiche Love hath shit in his prisoun; Good-Hope is hir salvacioun.
— from Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) — Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems by Geoffrey Chaucer - It’s the kind of thing that the government would kick the shit out of the automobile companies for doing.”
— from The Silicon Jungle by David H. Rothman - America's in the all-time shit, and Wall Street's oblivious.
— from The Samurai Strategy by Thomas Hoover - He found another small branch tunnel some distance from where he slept, where he could piss and shit.
— from Shaman by Robert Shea
