Holden Caulfield: the Original Redditor

Seventy-five years ago this week, a book was released which, according to one exasperated parent, included 237 uses of the word “goddamn”, 58 of “bastard” and 31 of “chrissakes”. Despite only recalling the events of three days in a mixed-up teenage boy’s crummy life, the story takes in prostitutes, underage drinking, noncery, casual sex and a memorable bout of flatulence. A mother’s worst nightmare.