The “F” Word
Last September, I went to a book launch promoting Julie Danneberg’s latest Jitters book, Author Day Jitters. The Bookies, a beloved, independent children’s bookstore in Denver, hosted the event. I arrived early to peruse the toddlers’ section and pick up a book or two for my grandchildren. A friend of mine arrived early with her granddaughter, and she bought books for her four youngest grandchildren, also. One book she purchased for her five-year-old grandson was Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle. She said, “What five-year-old boy wouldn’t love this one?!” Bewildered and horrified, my upbringing kicked in.
So, call me “a goody two shoes” but fart was a no-no word growing up in our household, or at least I thought so. It was not as bad as a swear word, but close. Using the phrase toot or pass gas was acceptable. Looking up the word fart, I found a myriad of other references, such as break wind, cut one, vapors, rip one, cut the cheese, let her rip, and expel gas. A high school friend used to refer to it by saying, “Who stepped on a frog?” You get the drift or smell!
Having two grandchildren under the age of four who live out of state, I constantly remind my husband to watch his mouth or clean up his language. Recently, we visited the grands and realized the toddler is a little parrot. She repeats everything you say. It’s incredible how easily one can slip into “potty-mouth” mode without much thought as to who might hear. This is particularly true when driving, and someone is tailgating or cutting in front of your car. During our visit with our two little sponges in the back seat, my husband had to “zip it” more than once! Heaven forbid our granddaughters would pick up on one of those words!
Today, there are many words once acceptable that are now taboo. I still think, though, too many words have gone the other way around from offensive to now permissible, like the fart word. This brings me to the other “f” word, the swear word. It now runs rampant on television, particularly with subtitled foreign programs. What’s the deal? How has this word become so commonplace? At times, I feel that civility and decorum have become obsolete. Whenever I hear this ever-present word, I immediately think, “Pick another more creative word to express your anger or emotion.” Some words are said so frequently that they have very little meaning or context anymore.
So, with a little cringing, I will check out Walter the Farting Dog to see if it might be appropriate for my granddaughters. Do I have to get with the times? While dragging my feet, I’ll try. But…I still abhor the “f” word; toot is more appropriate!
Bit by bit, that’s all she wrote…