In order to know the meaning of the term expletive, it is necessary, first of all, to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we have to emphasize that it is a word that derives from Latin, specifically from “improperium”, which is the result of the sum of two lexical components of said language:
-The verb “improperare”, which can be translated as “to reproach” or “to insult”.
-The suffix “-ium”.
An expletive is an insult that is usually uttered to reproach a person for something.
In colloquial language , expletive is used as a synonym for outburst or insult . For example: “The young man apologized for the expletive and then continued with his account of the events,” “Fed up with the mockery, the soccer player swore at a spectator,” “The American president used an expletive to qualify the work.” of the journalist.”
Among the many synonyms that the word expletive has, in addition to those already mentioned, we can highlight others such as affront, rudeness, blasphemy, curse or insult. On the contrary, among its antonyms we can emphasize praise, praise, praise, flattery, flattery, compliment, compliment or adulation.
As an insult , an expletive is an expression that attacks the honor of another subject. In many countries , uttering this type of saying is a crime , since it affects the reputation and honor of the recipient of the insult.
Suppose that, on a television program, a political leader accuses a member of a party different from his own of being a “damn criminal” who got rich by “stealing people's money.” He also considered that “he should rot in prison” for the damage he caused to his nation . Given these statements, the person to whom the words were addressed affirms that they are expletives and that he will sue the accuser for the slander and insults, ensuring that he never stole.
In addition to everything indicated, we cannot ignore that there is a book that collects the large number of expletives that exist in Spanish. It is titled “Mecagüen! Swear words, insults and blasphemies”, is written by Sergio Parra and is made up of a set of illustrations carried out by Malagón.
It should be noted that, in the field of religion , the verses sung in the context of the adoration of the cross during the service that takes place on Good Friday are called expletives. These insults are the reproaches that Jesus Christ makes to those who have rejected him.
Expletives can be accompanied by music from various composers who have created works for this purpose. The Venezuelan José Ángel Lamas , the Spanish Juan Pujol , the Portuguese Diogo Dias Melgás and the Englishman John Tavener are some of them.
In the same way, we cannot ignore the fact that precisely these types of expletives are around which artistic works such as the painting “Christ Tied to the Column” revolve, which was made by the Italian baroque artist Pasquale. Ottino (1578 – 1630).
Likewise, the aforementioned expletives are those that also feature in other pictorial or sculptural works that represent both the flagellation of Jesus and the placing on him of the so-called crown of thorns.