In Virginia, as in some archaic state and local statues, letting an F-bomb fly in public could get you slapped with a misdemeanor and up to a $250 fine.

“Profane swearing” has been illegal in the commonwealth since 1792, when the fine was 83 cents. Just what bleepin’ words are banned? Well, the state code doesn’t say. 

But on a Wednesday in February, legislators said to hell with the anti-swearing law: The Virginia Senate voted to repeal it, just weeks after the Virginia House did the same.

It now awaits Gov. Ralph Northam’s signature. Northam spokesperson Alena Yarmosky says the governor will review the bill when it gets to his desk, adding, “It’s past time we swore off the antiquated policies of the past.”

If he signs the bill, Virginians will legally be able to curse to their heart’s content starting July 1. Though, the current law doesn’t seem to be stopping many people from doing just that. Statewide enforcement numbers are hard to pin down, but according to The Washington Post, Arlington County in Northern Virginia only charged three people with cursing over two years.

Other communities have been more proactive. The Oceanfront area of Virginia Beach has long had no-cursing signs on its boardwalk — you can even buy replica versions at tchotchke gift shops. The signs were put up by the visitor’s bureau to “encourage courteous language” in a family-friendly area, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

The effort to repeal the anti-swearing law appeared to be cursed in previous legislative sessions, failing every year since it was first introduced in 2016.

Republican Del. Michael Webert — a cattle farmer from Fauquier County — has sponsored the bill every year.

“When you’re working with cows and a 1,400-pound animal doesn’t do what you want it to, or steps on your feet, every once in a while something colorful comes out of your mouth,” Webert told The Washington Post in 2017.

Webert thinks the bill finally passed because of the new makeup of the statehouse after Democrats took over both chambers in November. He also cited bipartisanship.

He says he and his Democratic colleagues agree that the current code violates free speech and is unconstitutional.

However, lawmakers voted to keep the ban on spitting, with one lawmaker calling it “yucky.”

For the sake of preserving civil discourse, it’s encouraging that Virginia lawmakers have their priorities straight.