Origins of Taboo and Incest Taboo Examples

Study Notes

The word "taboo" originates from a 1777 mealtime incident where British explorer James Cook invited a Tongan tribe to eat with him, but they refused, stating it was forbidden (taboo).

In the USA, having an intimate relationship with a family member is seen as a social taboo, deemed unethical and risky for genetic flaws.
One famous example is John Phillips, the Mamas & the Papas band leader, who had an intimate relationship with his daughter Mackenzie.
In New Jersey, an incestuous relationship is legal, but marriage is not.
In the UK, incest is illegal, but Charles Darwin married his first cousin and had 10 children, with three dying young.

In the USA, pointing at someone with the index finger is seen as rude, likely due to the influence of Hollywood films.
In Asia, holding up the forefinger and index finger with the palm turned inward is seen as a sign of cuteness.
In the UK, this gesture is equivalent to giving the middle finger.
In Israel and the Middle East, a thumb-up gesture is offensive.
In Asia, pointing at the soles of one's feet at someone is seen as extreme rudeness.

In China, eating loudly and making sounds while eating is a sign of appreciation for the food.
In some Asian cultures, writing in red ink is seen as a curse, as it was reserved for messages applying to the deceased.
In Asia, be careful when eating, as certain foods and ways of eating are considered taboo.
Dog meat is eaten in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Indonesia.
Horse meat is eaten in France, and chicken embryos are eaten in Thailand.
In some cultures, eating certain animals is considered taboo.

Insulting someone's mother or father is a universal taboo.
In some cultures, even mentioning parents in a negative light can get you into trouble or even killed.
In Russia, cursing with a parent's name is seen as the worst thing you could say.
In some Hindu families, wives are not permitted to call their husbands by their name.
In some western cultures, children are not allowed to be on first-name terms with their parents.

Public defecation is generally taboo in developed nations, but it's still a problem in some countries like India due to a lack of toilets.
Public farting is generally taboo, but in some cultures, like the Inuit, it's a sign of appreciation for a meal.
In some tribes, farting is even used as a greeting.

The word "taboo" originates from a 1777 mealtime incident where British explorer James Cook invited a Tongan tribe to eat with him, but they refused, stating it was forbidden.

Having an intimate relationship with a family member is seen as a social taboo in the USA, deemed unethical and risky for genetic flaws.
John Phillips, the Mamas & the Papas band leader, had an intimate relationship with his daughter Mackenzie.
In New Jersey, an incestuous relationship is legal, but marriage is not.
In the UK, incest is illegal, but Charles Darwin married his first cousin and had 10 children, with three dying young.

Pointing at someone with the index finger is seen as rude in the USA, likely due to the influence of Hollywood films.
In Asia, holding up the forefinger and index finger with the palm turned inward is seen as a sign of cuteness.
In the UK, this gesture is equivalent to giving the middle finger.
In Israel and the Middle East, a thumb-up gesture is offensive.
In Asia, pointing at the soles of one's feet at someone is seen as extreme rudeness.

Eating loudly and making sounds while eating is a sign of appreciation for the food in China.
In some Asian cultures, writing in red ink is seen as a curse, as it was reserved for messages applying to the deceased.
Dog meat is eaten in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Indonesia.
Horse meat is eaten in France.
Chicken embryos are eaten in Thailand.
In some cultures, eating certain animals is considered taboo.

Insulting someone's mother or father is a universal taboo.
In some cultures, even mentioning parents in a negative light can get you into trouble or even killed.
In Russia, cursing with a parent's name is seen as the worst thing you could say.
In some Hindu families, wives are not permitted to call their husbands by their name.
In some western cultures, children are not allowed to be on first-name terms with their parents.

Public defecation is generally taboo in developed nations, but it's still a problem in some countries like India due to a lack of toilets.
Public farting is generally taboo, but in some cultures, like the Inuit, it's a sign of appreciation for a meal.
In some tribes, farting is even used as a greeting.