Law
Fact-checked

At MyLawQuestions, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are Fighting Words?

G. Wiesen
G. Wiesen

Fighting words are words specifically and purposefully used with the intention of causing a listener emotional distress or inciting violent reactions from a listener or listeners. Numerous countries that protect freedom of speech, such as the United States (US) and Canada, do not protect fighting words and have passed numerous laws or court case rulings that criminalize the use of such language. In certain situations, the use of fighting words can even be used in the US as a foundation upon which to build a case for assault, though the words themselves do not justify assault and further violent action is required.

Sometimes referred to as hate speech, fighting words are spoken or written with the expressed intent of inciting violence from the listeners or readers. This can be directed toward a specific person or toward a general group of people defined along racial, religious, or other cultural lines. The words used are often not considered only by themselves, but also within the context in which they are uttered or written. Certain words could be used during a rally for social change as evidence of what opposition groups have said about those at the rally and not be considered illegal. The same words, if spoken among a group of people opposing the change and seemingly on the verge of violence, may be illegal if it can be demonstrated that the intent of the word choice was to incite violence.

In the US, fighting words are not considered free speech or protected by the First Amendment.
In the US, fighting words are not considered free speech or protected by the First Amendment.

This fine line of difference, the need to demonstrate intent, has often led to how a particular case regarding fighting words has been considered by courts. In the US, for example, in the 1942 case of Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, Walter Chaplinsky was arrested after using angry and potentially offensive language toward a law enforcement officer. The arrest was upheld by the US Supreme Court, which ruled that words that “…by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace…” are not protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution and the protection of free speech.

Fighting words may lead to physical violence.
Fighting words may lead to physical violence.

Since that ruling, other rulings have narrowly defined the meaning of fighting words to ensure that such laws and rulings are not used as a means of government censorship. Society may generally desire to limit the use of offensive or degrading language by individuals for the sake of propriety. US courts, however, have continually upheld the rights of individuals to say what they like so long as the words do not cross the line and attempt to cause violent behavior in listeners. Canada has placed similar limitations on free speech when such speech is intended to cause violence or a breach of the peace.

Discussion Comments

Phaedrus

I suppose one of the problems with defining "fighting words" is you can never tell what words might set someone off. Obviously, using racially charged epithets or obscene sexual references are not protected under the First Amendment. But there are other insults that could push someone's buttons just because of the circumstances in which they were uttered. No legislator could ever come up with a comprehensive list of hate or fighting words. Someone could tell an off-color "Yo Mama" joke to co-worker and not realize how offensive it would be to one of them. Using any kind of hostile or obscene language is fraught with peril.

mrwormy

Sometimes there's freedom of speech, and then there's freedom *from* speech. I have a right to shout "I think bikers are a bunch of sissies" without the government arresting me. However, I don't have the right to say it in front of a bar filled with motorcycle club members. I'd have to know I was trying to incite violence, so I couldn't claim "freedom of speech" if it happened. Other people have the right to protection from hate speech.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • In the US, fighting words are not considered free speech or protected by the First Amendment.
      By: TeX HeX
      In the US, fighting words are not considered free speech or protected by the First Amendment.
    • Fighting words may lead to physical violence.
      By: Monkey Business
      Fighting words may lead to physical violence.
    • Fighting words are used with the intention of causing emotional distress.
      By: Jason Stitt
      Fighting words are used with the intention of causing emotional distress.