Cartoons are supposed to be kid-friendly.
But SpongeBob Squarepants?
Well, it’s no stranger to testing the limits.
And if you’ve seen the Sailor Mouth episode…
You’ll know how crazy things can get.
So to put everybody’s aching curiosity to rest…
It’s about time we learn what these swears actually were.
Continue reading to discover:
- How the main cast voiced and recorded their scenes.
- What 7 original swears Squidward was talking about with Mr. Krabs.
- The 13 bad words in SpongeBob Squarepants’ Sailor Mouth episode.
- And so much more…
What are the 13 bad words in SpongeBob? The full list
Look, I know it’s hard to believe.
How can this Nicktoon, known for having friendship as its main theme, allow the characters to cuss?
These things are just opposites.
What’s worse, parents will think it’s very inappropriate.
And it’s a bad look for any cartoon, right?
Well, SpongeBob Squarepants loves being different.
Especially when showcasing themes you don’t normally see in cartoons.
As a result, that’s how we got the Sailor Mouth episode.
A unique storyboard that tackles…
Swearing.
Of course, all of them were censored with funny sound effects.
It’s still a kid’s show after all.
But if you listen closely to the characters’ dialogues, it’s not impossible to make out what they’re saying.
So here’s our complete list of the 13 bad words you might’ve missed:
#1: Sh*t
I’m pretty sure Bikini Bottom has toilets.
Even the Krusty Krab can afford restrooms (although very dirty ones).
So we can assume that Bikini Bottom citizens will eventually need to do a number 2.
And calling someone “sh*t” is just as nasty.
We hear Mr. Krabs say this bad word after stubbing his toe on a rock.
Also, SpongeBob repeats it again while talking to Mama Krabs.
#2: P*ss
When compared to the word “sh*t”, this dirty slang for pee is a lot milder.
However, that doesn’t make it any less bad.
And hearing Mr. Krabs scream:
“Can’t you see I got a p*ssed foot here?”
Sounds pretty mean, even with the loud ship bells and car horns censoring it in the episode.
#3: F*ck
I’ll be honest.
I think it’s hilarious to see SpongeBob learn this word.
It’s my go-to swear if something doesn’t go my way.
And I’m not afraid to admit that I say it more than I should.
My favorite line would be from the scene of the announcement.
When SpongeBob grabs the microphone and says:
“Attention customers. Today’s special is a f*cking Krabby Patty…”
#4: C*nt
This bad word is one of the worst things you can say to a woman.
Or anyone, for that matter.
It’s demeaning and extremely disrespectful.
So who do you think said it?
Well, it was Mr. Krabs complaining about a stone in his way.
He screams out:
“What f*cking kind of genius c*nt would put a f*ck@ss rock in such a sh*tty path?”
#5: C*ck and b*lls
These bad words speak for themselves.
And for a lot of the other examples on this list…
It seems using genitals as swears is common in Bikini Bottom.
Yet again, Mr. Krabs is the culprit.
He shouts:
“Oh c*ck and b*lls!”
As he tried to soothe his toe in the episode.
#6: Motherf*cker
This one’s another form of bad word number 3.
Although, it’s a lot meaner.
Especially since you’re accusing someone of untraditional bedroom activities.
We actually hear it from SpongeBob this time.
He reads it off the Krusty Krab dumpster and says:
“Krabs is a motherf*cker.”
However, this bad word can also be used in a positive way.
For example, SpongeBob could’ve said:
“Mr. Krabs’ one handsome motherf*cker!”
And I would’ve loved to hear something like that from the episode.
#7: T*ts
This bad word refers to a woman’s breasts.
And it’s another addition to Bikini Bottom’s body-based swearing.
However, this one’s not as clear because of the background sound effects.
As a result, you can put it anywhere among the bleeps.
So if you want to hear it for yourself…
You should definitely watch this video:
#8: @ss
Butts are beautiful.
In fact, a research article shows their growth in popularity.
Nowadays, surgeons go to great lengths to get the best shape and measurements.
They use modern technology to predict what could happen during the operation.
But, in SpongeBob’s case…
It seems Mr. Krabs prefers using it as a bad word.
For example, he screams:
“B*tch, b*stard, wh*re, @ss…”
While jumping up and down to numb the pain in his toe.
He also uses this swear in combination with other bad words.
For instance:
“F*ck@ss.”
#9: B*tch
If we refer to the dictionary…
All this means is a female dog.
But if we’re being serious about how it’s used as an insult…
Well, this word is offensive.
And can be used when something bad happens too.
Again, in Mr. Krabs’ case.
He uses it to express how much pain he’s in by shouting:
“A whole lotta sh*t and with a side of b*tch…”
#10: D*mn
I think this one’s not as bad as the other words on the list.
For many people, it flows under the radar and just sounds funny.
But if we look up what the word means…
It’s about being sent to hell and experiencing some extreme punishment.
And at the end of Mr. Krabs’ cussing rant.
He says:
“Godd*mn sh*t, grabbin’ p*ssy!”
#11: B*stard
People use this word to call someone they don’t like.
Often with an unpleasant personality or with a background of being untrustworthy.
It’s also pretty famous among older Hollywood blockbusters.
For example, in The Godfather’s infamous All Bastards are Liars scene.
It even escalates to one of the men biting someone’s ear off.
Luckily, in SpongeBob Squarepants, things don’t get as violently bloody.
Mr. Krabs simply shouts:
“…B*stard!”
As he tries to calm himself down after hitting his toe.
#12: W*nker
This word describes someone who masturbates.
And while that’s perfectly normal…
It’s offensive because it means they do it too much.
Yet again, it seems Mr. Krabs can’t catch a break.
And he says this while complaining about a stone he hits accidentally:
“What sh*tty w*nker genius puts a d*uche rock in a f*cking path?”
#13: Wh*re
I stand with the advocacy that sex work is work.
In fact, a journal article shows how much this specific industry has grown.
We have many researchers with experience in the field.
And the unfair perspective on the topic prevents substantial studies.
As a result, calling someone a “wh*re” is one of the worst things you can say.
Plus, it’s very disrespectful.
And who do you think says this bad word in the Nicktoon?
Well, Mr. Krabs is guilty once again.
While crying in pain from stubbing his toe…
The crimson sea crab shouts:
“B*ner… b*tch, b*stard, wh*re, @ss!”
On the bright side of things, at least he’s not saying it to anyone.
But that doesn’t make it any less bad of a word.
About the SpongeBob Sailor Mouth episode
What other secrets are these scenes and dialogue hiding?
Sadly, if you’re looking for fan theories.
There’s not much waiting for you in the Sailor Mouth episode.
But when Squidward says:
“Don’t you mean there are only 7 bad words?”
This is actually a nudge at George Carlin.
A very famous American stand-up comedian.
He also had a joke about swearing and cursing.
George called it the “7 words you can’t say on TV.”
And it’s one of his most memorable performances.
It went:
“… shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits.”
Which also matches up pretty well with the bad words apparently said in the Sailor Mouth episode.
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
It’s the creative process of editing this specific sequence that really takes the cake.
And you’re probably asking yourself:
“How’d Stephen Hillenburg convince Nickelodeon to greenlight the story for airing?”
Well, as you would’ve guessed…
The Nickelodeon higher-ups turned it down during the initial presentation.
No studio in their right mind would put swear words in a kid’s show.
That’s simply signing a death warrant.
And even after suggesting bleeps and censors.
Nickelodeon wouldn’t budge.
So what did Hillenburg do instead?
He covered the bad words with funny sound effects.
As a result, it became one of the most iconic memorable SpongeBob Squarepants episodes…
The dolphin noises, chirps, and horns made it more kid-friendly.
Plus, for the older audience that was watching.
Adults loved the hidden jokes only they could understand.
But here’s another fun fact:
Can you guess how they recorded the voice-over lines?
You might think that they’d tone things down for a script.
Maybe even give the voice actors safer words that just sound like the really bad ones.
However, it was hard to do.
Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob, even explains this in an interview:
“Swearing without really swearing is hard.”
“So we asked: could we just really really cuss and then you guys just bleep it out later?”
In fact, even Clancy Brown, the voice of Mr. Krabs chimes in and shouts:
“I’m all for that!”
So if you’re wondering why the cursing sounds so real…
It’s because it is.
But if there’s something most people overlook…
It’s the moral lesson of the episode.
So many remember Sailor Mouth for the funny string of bad words in the characters’ dialogues.
And many viewers mistook it as the show promoting the act of cussing.
In reality, it taught kids it wasn’t okay to use such inappropriate language.
It showed the consequences and how people would negatively react to someone cursing.
So, apart from being really funny to watch…
It’s a gem from season 2 that plenty of SpongeBob Squarepants fans will always remember.