Two experiments (40 male Ss, and 40 female Ss) investigated the effects of mode of response (written or oral) and sex of E upon recognition thresholds of taboo and neutral words. Words were selected on the basis of taboo ratings by 81 students (42 men, 39 women) and familiarity ratings by 44 men and 34 women. Each of the five most taboo words was matched with a neutral word of equal familiarity. Each word was presented tachistoscopically for.01 sec. with constant illumination for 10 trials. Ss either said or wrote words as they were recognized. Women showed no differences in thresholds for taboo and neutral words. Men had a significantly higher threshold for spoken taboo words than for written ones. Sex of E had no effect. There was no evidence for a general defensive reaction to taboo words.