The article gives a survey of types of vulgarisms, their origin and use. Vulgarisms as a lexical subsystem are inappropriate in most of linguistic structures because they break relevant communication norms. Nevertheless, the vulgarisms are an adequate part of the Czech lexis, though, it is necessary, when using them, to respect their extensive functional limitations. On the other hand, their use is understandable in highly peripheral types of communication, moreover, they have a specific role in communicates of the literary style.