Symbols and Motifs

"Shoot the bull"

Many authors have noted that almost every swear word in the English language is used freely in this novel except for the word "shit," which never occurs. Instead of saying "bullshit" (a word which was not uncommon in the 1950s), Holden instead says "shoot the bull." The only plausible explanation for this is simply to add to the realism of the story-Holden himself has some reservations with regard to obscenity.