Month: February 2013

All the fuss last week on GMG over offensive language and the controversy surrounding the language in Django Unchained, makes it perfect timing for this new Law of Life (LOL for short).  For some reason, that I’m not sure I understand, cursing seems to be taken as more offensive by people outside your generation.  Here’s an illustration.

Many years ago, when our eldest son was about 5, he told us that the two-year-old sister of one of his friends knew his name, his friend’s name and all the swears.

“Really?” remarks Vickie.  “What are all the swears?”  It’s an early Summer morning and she hasn’t had much coffee.
“Oh, I can’t say them.”
“I’ll give your grace.”
“Really?”
“Yup.  You can say them.”
“OK … fuck and shit.”
“That’s not all the swears.”  These words escape before Vickie’s coffee deprived brain can retrieve them.
“Well, what are all the swears?”  The little one’s eyes widen.
“Oh, I can’t say them.”
“I’ll give you grace!”

This is where I step in and explain that you just can’t swear across generations.  Parents swear with their friends and nobody seems to care.  Kids do the same.  But kids can’t swear   when parents are within earshot — and parents can’t swear when kids are within earshot.  Probably the worst thing you can do, I explain, is cross TWO generations and swear when your grandparents are within earshot.

Here’s a funny music video tribute to one of my favorite Sci-fi writers by a slightly bookish, but sexy comedian who isn’t afraid of swearing across many generations.  WARNING: Don’t show this to your kids or your mother-in-law!