“D’oh!” – Homer Simpson

While we certainly don’t condone swearing, our children have heard us swear in times of frustration and anger. Nicole, especially, has a dark respect for a well played cuss word given appropriate timing for comic-value or emphasis. (See, for example, her blog post “Schengen” linked below). For schengen’s sake, we need some good swear word alternatives!

As we anticipate traveling around the world, we know that there will be times of frustration where we will be tempted to swear but we need to set a good example for our children.

While cathartic as a good swear word can be, a creative substitution may suffice.

For example, Nicole was recently at Trader Joes and had filled her shopping cart with many essential items, only to discover she had forgotten her wallet at home. Now, a weak-minded person might let a swear word fly, but not someone as sweet and creative as Nicole.

Instead, she let out a subtle, “Oy Yoy Yoy”, which is Nicole’s understated exasperation expression. When she told me what happened and repeated said expression, I cracked up and kept saying, “Oy Yoy Yoy” – laughing at Nicole’s cute saying.

We then wondered, what do other people say when children are around? I remember hearing someone striking out at the plate during a baseball game and yelling, “Oh…fiddlesticks!”

Nicole said her dad would say “Jiminy Christmas.” We wondered, where does that come from? Apparently, “Jiminy Christmas” is much rarer than, and almost certainly derived FROM “Jiminy Cricket” — both being “minced oaths” to avoid outright swearing by yelling “Jesus Christ” in what’s considered a disrespectful or “profane” manner.

So, parents out there, what about you? What substitute have you uttered in a moment of weakness?

Here are a few of our favorites from: 101 Great Cuss/Swear Word Alternatives from http://hubpages.com/family/101-Great-Cuss-Word-Alternatives

Shut the front door!
Dagnabbit!
Gosh darn it!
Oh my goodness!
Leapin’ lizards!
For Pete’s sake!
Cheese and rice!
Kitty whiskers!
Shitake mushrooms!

Click on the “leave a comment” button under this blogpost heading and tell us your favorite family-friendly cuss word alternative!

Schengen!