ENPublic perceptions of the interjection "pyst" are discussed in this paper. Methods of economic linguistics, including the novel research concept of semantic dowry, were applied to the data from the Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language. Linguistic and extralinguistic causes explaining why a part of linguistic community considers it fully acceptable and others perceive it as taboo language are revealed. Based on the example in question, a novel method of lexical analysis, which could be useful in developing new tools for the improvement of language effectiveness, is presented.