Oh For Fu$%s Sake!

When did the “F” word become a part of our everyday language? Yep, I’m old enough to remember when it was not used at all except maybe in different environments like a working woman or man’s environment on the floor of a plant. And, it was never used when there were ladies present.

Now it’s used often, as a verb, a noun or an adjective.  It’s even found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, first known use was in 1680 (wonder what the use was, maybe “Oh Fu%k, the fox got in the hen house!”) in many forms, such as (to name just a few):

Fu%k

Fu%k Off

Fu%k Over

Fu%k Up

And then when I go the definition of “Fu%ked Up” I believe it clearly demonstrates the result of the demise of our language in public, “thoroughly confused, disordered, or damaged”. The first known use was in 1939 and with the rise of Hitler at that time the definition does fit.

I pride myself on using appropriate language, I seldom curse and even more rarely use the “F” word.  It’s not just because of Austin, it was how I was raised, but he is still a big influence.  I would be appalled it he would use this word, especially in front of my parents who truly lived in an age when it wasn’t used in public.  I even have a term for those who use the word often, it’s FPM (Fu%ks per Minute), with some the FPMs are quite high, it’s a given, they can’t say a sentence without dropping the “F” bomb.

Austin’s done very well over the years, we’ve kept his language appropriate, and for a young man with a disability much of his life has been geared toward ensuring his behavior is appropriate for public or private situations.  Which in reality I am at times a little conflicted with since I believe he is who he is and often we should not teach what just what is deemed appropriate by others but acceptance.  Yes, he has little quirks that might be different from his peers but that’s okay.

I remember once taking him to see the movie “Hancock” and it seemed like in the first five minutes every other word was a curse word, lots of variations of “ass” and one “F” bomb.  I was truly worried about what would stick and after the movie what phrase really caught his attention (he’s been known to memorize movie lines). In the end, I was so very thankful that the phrase that stuck was “Butt-Naked”.

Now Austin’s a History Channel buff, he loves “Pawn Stars” and the old man has had an influence on his language. “Dumb Ass” and “Fat Ass” have become a part of his vocabulary. At times, it cracks me up because it’s always used in the right context, with the right inflection, yet I’m still trying to correct this behavior (which might just turn out to be a waste of energy.)

We are all entitled to freedom of speech, and I really don’t care if you use the “F” bomb or not, but I do care about when and where you use it.  It should never be used as a noun to describe your child; it should never be used when small children are present or elders, and it should not be used when you are attending an event at your child’s school or a child's sporting event. 

So please, in public, show a little respect, and clean up your F’ing language.