12 Times You’re Totally Within Your Right to Be a Jerk

When someone cuts you off in traffic

You’re halfway through your morning commute when all of a sudden a driver swerves into your lane, cutting you off and nearly causing an accident, after which they blithely continue on their way, checking their phone and swerving in and out of traffic until they’re out of sight. We’ve all been there (boy, have we all been there). It’s infuriating. It’s often enraging—to the point where you might be tempted to let a few choice words fly. Do it, says Rebecca Roache, a lecturer in philosophy at the University of London and author of an upcoming book about swearing. Sometimes swearing is the best response to a situation as curse words let you express your anger and get it out in a safe way, she says. The other driver won’t hear you and they really do help you feel better, she adds. Just be careful if you have little ears in the backseat! And even when you’re not in the car, here are four totally appropriate times to curse.