David Astle, SMH crossword compiler extraordinaire, on the problem of English being ubiquitous when it comes to expleting:

Even without the study leave, most people know English basics: hello, thank you, how much and f—- off. Our tongue’s the lingua franca of movies, business and football tournaments. Whenever we cuss, the message is pretty evident and the mud can only stick. In tonight’s game, the Socceroos may be likened to warthog pizzles in any of Ghana’s 47 languages, but unless the ref is multilingual, then the sledge will be missed and the yellow card stay idle.