Profanity and the Potty Mouth

Negative words and opinions have been a part of language from the beginning, but they have become so commonplace. Crude words that used to be worthy of receiving parent hands cuffed into protective earmuffs are now used as filler nouns, verbs, interjections and adjectives. Sometimes I can't help but picture a little Ralphie from A Christmas Story when I hear these words.

I have said a choice word occasionally, most recently when I slammed on the brakes to avoid a highway collision. Oops! I felt terrible the moment it slipped out. Right now, you may be thinking, Prude! But, really, is it necessary? Does it add any real value to the conversation?

I have a few friends that swear like sailors, but they have automatic filters. The words are suddenly censored in public and around children. All other things remain the same; the people don’t change, the conversation doesn’t change, a few extra words are just omitted. It would not be helpful to the conversation, or to the relationship, to scold or shoot mean looks each time a curse word is uttered.

Try to limit your own potty-mouth moments, though. A good rule to follow is to ask if you would use the same language in front of a small child, a respected elder or during a job interview. If the answer is no, then it may be worth reconsidering.

Consider the 3 gates of speech:

Odds are, all the infamous words we all know and hopefully don’t love will not pass the test. Are they true? Kind? Necessary? Probably not. If all else fails, what would your grandmother say if she heard that word?