By Avery Johnson
I firmly believe that a well-placed expletive has its rightful role in our society. As a woman, I know I can use the phrase “fiddlesticks” just as freely as any man. My children are well-acquainted with all sorts of colorful language, and I must admit, I’m often the one setting the example, not their father. Since they’re aware of these words, I’ve taken the time to instill in them that there are appropriate contexts for their usage. For instance, exclaiming, “Goodness gracious!” when you stub your toe at home is perfectly fine, but doing so in front of their grandmother? Not so much.
One thing I will never teach my kids is the outdated notion that boys can curse while girls should “act like ladies.” Absolutely not. That idea is pure nonsense. We all know that women are linguistically adept, and we refuse to be confined by antiquated expectations that suggest we should behave as if we live in a bygone era. I guarantee that those women from the past who seemed demure were likely letting some inventive phrases slip when their husbands weren’t around.
Women have fought hard for equality, and being able to express ourselves—using phrases like “butt nugget” without shame—is a part of that struggle. Here are a few reasons I won’t be adopting a “proper” manner of speaking anytime soon:
- Cursing is entertaining. Seriously, words like “flapdoodle,” “clusterfudge,” and “dingleberry” are just fun to say. I dare you to try saying “Sweet mother of all that’s holy” without cracking a smile.
- I trust those who swear. Fellow swearing moms, you’re my tribe. I know I can count on you to tell me the unvarnished truth in vivid language that I can appreciate and perhaps borrow for later.
- It packs a punch. I’m eternally grateful for the existence of Samuel L. Jackson’s reading of Go the Heck to Sleep. Because let’s be real, kids: just GO THE HECK TO SLEEP.
- When you hurt yourself, sometimes you just need to vent. Nothing releases the frustration of stubbing your toe quite like a good “son of a biscuit eater!”
- There’s science behind it. I once came across a study that suggested individuals who use profanity tend to have larger vocabularies and greater linguistic maturity. You betcha.
- No one tells me what to say. At the end of the day, being “ladylike” doesn’t mean we must silence ourselves or shy away from entertaining phrases like “poop face” and “silly goose.”
Despite my love for colorful language, I can still be a responsible adult when the situation calls for it. I promise not to let loose a torrent of expletives around your children in the grocery store. I’m a mindful user of naughty words, usually reserving them for the right occasions. For example, I won’t be bringing “dinglehopper” or “holy macaroni” to the PTA meeting or church. But stub my toe? Well, we’ll see about that.
For more on navigating pregnancy and family life, check out this excellent resource on CDC’s pregnancy page. And if you’re looking to enhance your journey with some helpful tips, consider exploring our post on fertility boosters for men. For a deeper dive into personal experiences, visit Intracervical Insemination’s pregnancy experiences.
In summary, expressing ourselves freely is a vital part of who we are. Swearing, when done appropriately, can enhance our communication and reflect our individuality. So, here’s to embracing our unique voices—ladylike or not!