αἰσχρολογία (G148) — Greek Lexicon

αἰσχρολογία

aischrología

G148 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Use of shameful, indecent, or base speech; language or discourse considered obscene, coarse, or improper; in specific contexts, refers to lewd, abusive, or unbecoming utterances. The primary sense is the employment of language regarded as dishonorable or offensive to accepted social or moral standards, with secondary nuances including vulgar insult, crude jesting, or inappropriate verbal expression depending on setting and audience.

Semantic Range

shameful speech, indecent utterance, vulgar talk, crude or obscene discourse, insulting or abusive language, improper conversation

Root / Etymology

Compound of αἰσχρός (shameful, base, disgraceful) and λόγος (speech, word, discourse); thus, 'shameful speech.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

αἰσχρολογία appears infrequently in surviving Greek literature, with attestation in Hellenistic and Koine contexts. In classical Greek, related adjectives such as αἰσχρός described actions, things, or speech bringing disgrace or violating standards of decency. The noun αἰσχρολογία is attested in inscriptions and moral-philosophical treatises for speech considered unbecoming, especially in contexts where communal standards (e.g., among associates, in assemblies, during rituals) are at stake. In Colossians 3:8 (the sole New Testament occurrence), the term denotes speech incompatible with the ethical expectations of a new social identity, and is paired with other terms for verbal abuse. English translations such as 'filthy language' or 'abusive speech' do not always distinguish between indecency, crudeness, or outright insult; the Greek carries an explicit sense of conduct contrary to social propriety or honor. The term is broader than sexual impropriety and can encompass various forms of coarse or slanderous talk. In the Septuagint and other Koine sources, related terms are used for moral discourses against verbal misconduct (see Wis 23:13). Standard English glosses often narrow the sense to overtly sexual or obscene language, but the term can apply to a spectrum of improper speech, from vulgarity to general indecency in public or private settings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from αἰσχρός and λόγος; vile conversation:--filthy communication.

Root Family

αἰσχρολογία (aischrologia) — shameful speech, base discourse, indecent utterance

Root αἰσχρ-λογ- shameful, base, disgraceful; speech, utterance, discourse

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G148-01`	αἰσχρολογίαν	aischrologian	`N ACC F SG`	filthy communication	shameful speech	shameful speech	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G148-01`	Colossians 3:8	αἰσχρολογίαν	aischrologian	`N ACC F SG`	filthy communication	shameful speech	shameful speech

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