Potty-mouthed citizens of NSW, take note - swearing in public could soon cost you three times as much as it used to.

When the state government more than tripled the on-the-spot fine for swearing in public last week, critics were left asking "What the f---?"

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

As part of the raft of legislation to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence, police will soon be able to issue fines of up to $500 to anyone who displays offensive language, up from $150.

But there is no official list of the words you will pay to use.