To recover from my natural tendency to curse like a drunken sailor on shore leave, I've taken to using alternative words and phrases. By doing this, I hope to steer my son away from acquiring any new words that might get him kicked out of daycare.
"Son of a biscotti" and "Jiminy Crickets" and "crap" seem to have become my favorites. I try to say words and phrases that just don't go with an angry retort, to snap myself out of being in a negative mood. I don't say "Fudge" like some people, because that sounds way too close to the actual word I am trying to avoid, and one day I might slip up.
So when Zane was playing in the living room the other day, I was gratified to hear that my efforts had not gone unnoticed. I heard a toy fall off the table.
"Jiminy Crickets!" Zane muttered.
Ha! I actually think some of the more common euphemisms sound better than the real thing! Maybe this means a generation of children who say stuff that sounds interesting rather than a cuss word!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on transferring the habit to your son. I did the same thing while teaching. A few I used: Holy Shnikes. Mother of Pearl. Wack-a-doodle.
ReplyDeleteGriffin is keen on "Cheese and Crackers!!"
ReplyDeleteWhew!!!
ReplyDeleteI always felt that profanity is such a necessary part of being human that if we didn't have it we'd invent it. :D
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