Katie Couric's Notebook: Cursing

There's a saying in the Marine Corps: pain is weakness leaving the body.

Perhaps it takes a strong man or woman to endure physical pain in silence. But a new study says there may be a better way: swearing.

Researchers at Keele University in England asked more than sixty people to submerge their hands in icy water and repeat a favorite curse word. They then stuck the other hand in the water and repeated something more family friendly. When they cussed a blue streak every one of them could endure the cold for longer.

It may have something to do with the fight or flight mechanism in our brains - a rush triggered by the use of those swear words.

So the next time you stub your toe, or burn your finger on a hot pan, provided there are no kids around, maybe it's okay to use those four-letter words.

If you get horrified looks from your friends, tell them a little weakness just left your body.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.