Bad Words

Have you ever wondered how a bad word became a bad word? Did our founding fathers sit down with a list and go one by one and decide this is a "bad" word? The meaning of the word apparently did not factor into the choosing of the words. How did they choose one synonym over another? Why is S-H-_-T the "bad" one and defecate, number 2, BM, stinky, or doo-doo are not? If the criterion is that the word must be 4 letters, why did poop not make the naughty list? I have never really understood the concept of "bad" words.

I grew up in a household where my mother never used a "bad" word. I have heard her use what is termed as profane language twice in my life and both times she was quoting someone else--and both times I called my sister immediately to report that mom had said a "bad" word! Well, I heard her one other time, we were playing Boggle and in an effort to win she did record a four-letter word but when it came time to read her list she mispronounced it so badly that no one can ever accused her of saying that particular word! My father did throw around the occasional "bad" word, but never those that would be termed as the really, really "bad" ones...you know the "b-word" or the "f-bomb" or never the two words pertaining to a female's genitalia (one of which is the word that my mother failed so miserably in pronouncing!).

I, on the other hand, have been known to use a... few.... "bad" words, but I can honestly say I have never cursed anyone. I think "damning someone" is so much worse than using an arbitrary synonym for normal, everyday bodily functions for which we have no idea why or how they became "bad". I also very rarely make statements that begin with the phrase, "I don't mean to offend you..." because you are probably going to offend. I don't tell people that I hate them. I don't utter to others that they are stupid or ugly or unwanted or any other words designed to hurt. I don't shout the "n-word" or other derogatory statements based on a person's race or ethnicity. I do not condone war or evil; bigotry or violence. I do not, or try not to, do any of these things...but I do use "bad" words.

Again, I ask...what is a "bad" word? Does a "bad" word hurt? Or is it simply a group of letters that are synonymous for another word that we use everyday that someone somewhere has deemed as "bad"? I am not certain what makes a "bad" word, but I am certain what make words bad. If your words hurt others or cause negativity, they are bad. If they hurt no one...and feel kinda good when you say them (because when you stub your toe or a driver cuts you off, nothing feels quite as good as the f-bomb--even if you only think it--REALLY LOUDLY!!!!) then they are not so bad!

Dear Lord, as I go about my daily activities help me to remember others feelings. Let me not say anything that would cause anyone harm or hurt their feelings. Let my words truly demonstrate that I am a child of God. Let my words be loving and kind. Teach me to slow down and not simply blurt out the very first thing that pops into my head, let me think carefully about how my words will be perceived by others--how what I say today will affect someone else's tomorrow. Let me also be mindful of how I interpret another's words to me. Let me not take every unkind word to heart, as I cannot be a barometer for another's tongue, only a monitor for what I allow in and what I push right by. Lord, let me always try to live as you lived and love as you loved. AMEN