Monday, November 14, 2011

Darn, Shoot and Shit...

What is a bad word these days? I have my 2 1/2 year old telling me, "that's a bad word, momma" when I say "shoot!" Then I also will slip up and say, "Shit" and she knows that is a bad word also. I think what ever the word, it is how it is used as being a bad word. Instead of saying "Shit" (nationally known as a bad word along side other various bad words) we could say "shoot" or "Darn" or "Ah Crap," These alternate words are also considered bad words, to some people who may hear you say it...like my little girl.

The use of the word "Shoot" is said in a bad way, usually out of frustration, anger or from stubbing your toe, and the word comes out. Try replacing the word with "Chocolate!" and it seems silly and not a word that sounds right. In the end, it is just a word we say at the heat of a moment. Darn, Shoot and Shit!

When I was younger, I use to say "Fudge." That should be considered a bad word since I was using it as a bad word in replacement of the "F-word." If I had said the F-word instead of Fudge, I would get in trouble by my mom for having a "potty mouth." So now I am a mom, and raising a little girl, and I want to know and understand the uses of bad words and how any word can be used as a bad word because of how it is used in a bad way and not meant as a nice word. The meaning and context used in saying Fudge is still used in a bad way, making it a bad word.

We really can't get away with saying ANY word, in the heat of the moment and after stubbing our toe, etc. Little kids are listening and are very observant... they are trying to differentiate what is alright to say and what is not. They are still expanding their vocabulary and not knowing what those bad words are, to not say. As the parent, telling them "Shit" is a bad word and to not say it. Then as the parent, we say those words and they hear us, and wonder why we just sad a bad word? We should not be saying it either. When ever I do slip up and say a bad word, whatever the word may be, it is definately bad when my little girl corrects me telling me, "that's a bad word, momma." I then tell her, "yes, you are right, that is a bad word and I am sorry I said it. We are not suppose to say bad words."