Such Language

When I saw this cartoon this morning, it took me a minute to figure out what the problem was.  Then I realized that the five "fellas" sitting on the stools at the counter are some of the traditional symbols used to indicate there is some cursing going on.  These sybols are generally in the daily and/or Sunday funnies when someone has just been slammed by a flying piano, chagrined by a telling insult, or is just plain angry.   So the off-color remarks come flying out and are, symbolized by (in this context) meaningess characters.

Now cursing and swearing were forbidden in my house growing up, at least they were forbidden to me and my younger brother.  My father could curse like the blue collar worker he was.  His frustration level was low.  Sadly, the words we that burned our ears then,  are rather commonplace today.  Never more than an "s" here or a "d" there and sometimes an "h-e-double toothpicks".  I never heard the really "bad words" that until I started junior high. Even then, I was still too afraid (or too prim) to use them myself.  To this day, such language generally does not cross my lips.

Now I have to admit, though, that occasionally some of those words do slip out.  For instance, last Friday I was at Sizzler with my friend Marty for our usual Friday lunch together.  We discuss everything from religion to politics, social mores to economics, etc.  We'd had our usual spirited chatm then, as is our custom, we went to top off our lunch with a small ice cream cone from the dessert bar.  Marty got his and went on, and then I pulled the lever for the swirl combo and to my great dismay, the lever came off and the soft-serve came pouring out.  I jumped back, stomped my foot and, well, I have to say, the "s" word came right out with no trouble.

The staff at Sizzler came rushing in and fixed the dispenser and cleaned up the mess.  A few minutes later, our server came to the table with a big smile on her face, stifling a laugh.  "Another customer war story?" I asked her.  She nodded her head.  It was funny I have to admit, but I still was embarassed by my lack of decorum.  It just shows how easy it is to slip into the foul mouth spewing without ever intending to.

When I was in college I took a lot of psychology classes.  It was my major.  One thing I remember discussing in Psych 101 was the psychology of language.  "Words," said the instructor, "have no meaning other than what we give them."  To prove this, she recited a couple of the more forbidden words.  There was a bit a tittering amongst us freshmen, but the point was well taken.

Still, I don't care for foul language.  These days however it is very hard to avoid.  Movies, TV, even the newspaper, magazines and books are full of it.  And modern music couldn't exist it seems without the nasty rants.  But I have to remind myself of what the instructor said so many years ago.  Words are just sounds with meaning we give them.  Another lesson learned about language was in an English class.  "Using foul language to express oneself just shows a poor command of the language."  There are much more polite ways to express displeasure, frustration and/or anger.  Such language.  

Ultimately, it is not what you say, but how you say it.  Not your words, but your intent.  To paraphrase the Golden Rule, "Speak unto other as you would have them speak unto you."  

And that, I must say, is my last word on this subject....for now.  Such language indeed.