• PrimarilyPrimate@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    17
    ·
    10 hours ago

    When my late husband said, “why you syphilitic son of a bitch” I knew that he was really angry at someone and if he said “rats in a dishpan” then something just went haywire. He passed away 30 years ago now and I have never heard another person say those things.

    • JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      edit-2
      9 hours ago

      …I have never heard another person say those things.

      Haha, I can totally relate to someone making up expressions, then sticking with them. For example, a couple I made up for whatever reason, and still employ with a frequency:

      • Oh, rabbits! (expression of surprise, sometimes used as a mild curse)
      • Well, shut my mouth and spank my bottom! (surprised, Southern-style)
      • Smooch my ruby, red rump! (tauntingly, Bender of Futurama-style)

      .

      EDIT: Oh, and my grandpère used to loudly exclaim “Fiddlesticks!” when he was obviously angry or deeply annoyed. I’ve never heard that term used ever across old literature, films, etc.

      EDIT2: Back when the TV series Deadwood was running, I remember someone online asking ‘why are they swearing using completely modern terms?’ and someone else answering ‘because if the show used authentic curse words, the characters would all sound like variants of Yosemite Sam.’

      I dunno, speaking as a Naked Gun / Zucker fan, I think I might have enjoyed that! :P

    • andyortlieb@lemmy.sdf.orgOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      9 hours ago

      I love it. I’ve been enjoying “MotherFather” as a soft landing out of habitually cursing when frustrated.