Substitute words

[DeerGlow]

Some people say curse words themselves are the problem, some people think substitute words carry the same weight and feeling in your heart so those are sinful too. I have struggled with cursing ever since I got into it in middle school. Is saying words like 'fudge' 'duck' or 'monkeys' (some people at school do this, one girl says donkeys :? ) okay instead of full-on censor-worthy words or not?

 

[-Luca]

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[RaymondG]

I would not use any words meant to hurt others and i would not use any words that are deems offensive in the presence of those to find them offensive. I dont subscribe to labeling words good or bad.... It is all about their intended use and the perception of the people around which they are used.

 

[Sam91]

I prefer to use no substitutes but don't condemn yourself.

It's a habit and you will be surrounded by people who do, which will rub off on you.

You are still called righteous through what Jesus did. Actually Righteous! Jesus imputed His righteousness onto you my sister. Don't feel bad, learn to accept it. I couldn't I felt guilty at first when I used to visualise putting on the armour of God. The breastplate of righteousness I felt like I didn't deserve last year. Now I realise that if I was the 'bestest' person in the world I still couldn't deserve it. It's through God's grace and love that we get to be righteous. Now when I put it on I feel cleansed, safe and grateful <3

 

[HereIStand]

I used to use profanity quite habitually in my younger years. It was my lame attempt to be cool. Profanity can be understandable when you're facing a frustrating situation. Anger is directed at a situation, not a person. Swearing at someone is disrespectful. Try to avoid that especially.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

MOD HAT BRIEFLY ON
Officially: This is a topic worthy of discussion. I know it can be tricky to stay within the CF rules, but please try. Let's remember not to bypass the filter, which is as against the rules as saying the word is. For purposes of citing examples, it would be OK to say something like "a word that rhymes with...." if you have to.
MOD HAT OFF

Now, contributing as a member:

Some substitute words are better than others. I think of that story of the king who was looking to hire a royal chariot driver. Every one he interviewed bragged about how close they could come to the edge of that cliff over there without falling off the edge. Finally a candidate came along who said, "Your majesty, I'm too scared to go anywhere near that cliff." He was hired on the spot. I for one am uncomfortable with them if they cut it a little too close for comfort. I'm thinking specifically of the phrase "God bless America," which I used to use as an interjection until I realized that, like the swear word it substitutes for, it also contains His name. (OK, His title, if you want to get technical.) So I stopped using it in favor of "good gravy Marie," or "good golly Miss Molly," or something similar.

That comfort line divides at different spots for different people. Speaking purely from a standpoint of conditioned response, I would be fine with "cheese and crackers," but "cheesy crust" would make me flinch a little.

I have been rebuked by other (well-meaning, I'm sure) Christians for saying words like "heck" and "darn." They do make the argument that you're thinking the other words in your head, so saying the substitute is just as bad. I disagree. Either I really am thinking "heck," because that's what I've gotten used to saying, or I am trying to change my habit of saying something unseemly. If I do make a last-minute word swap, I don't actually think that's wrong. I think it's a way of reining myself in, practicing self-control.

I enjoy using more unusual, and therefore unexpected substitutes. "Mother goose" is a favorite interjection of mine. I also find myself saying "rats" a lot. Thank Charlie Brown for that one.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

I'm wondering what curse word monkeys replaces, but sounds offensive either way, obviously depending on your environment

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I have been rebuked by other (well-meaning, I'm sure) Christians for saying words like "heck" and "darn." They do make the argument that you're thinking the other words in your head, so saying the substitute is just as bad. I disagree. Either I really am thinking "heck," because that's what I've gotten used to saying, or I am trying to change my habit of saying something unseemly. If I do make a last-minute word swap, I don't actually think that's wrong. I think it's a way of reining myself in, practicing self-control.

Sorry to hear that. Harmless words like that enable you to let off some steam. Too much self-control turns us into starched shirts in my opinion.
I don't like the use of profanity to compensate for lack of vocabulary and repetition is absolutely disgusting. But the occasional use of the f word is totally understandable IMO. What about when you hit your hand with a hammer by accident? Might be Aussie culture too.

 

[*LILAC]

When I hit myself by accident it's usually followed by a long "oh, sssssshhhhhhh..... MM! That hurt!"

But if you're saying a swear word as an every other word, or even substituting that swear word, it gets real old real fast and just makes you sound stupid.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I don't remember my father ever using one swear word. Not even "cor blimey". That was his nature though. The guy had little or no anger in him. He brought peace wherever he went.

 

[Winken]

Never swear. I know what those words are. If one pops into my head I shrivel up, immediately ask God to totally embrace me in the Holy Spirit, blocking such ugly thoughts. Once I was blind, but now I see.

 

[*LILAC]

I don't remember my father ever using one swear word. Not even "cor blimey". That was his nature though. The guy had little or no anger in him. He brought peace wherever he went.

That's great! My dad curses like a sailor if he's really got his dander up! Actually, both of my parents do. Sometimes it gets to the point where I'm like, really guys? So little vocabulary in the house now? I remember a time when I had promises of getting my mouth washed out with soap if I ever said a swear word! Who needs the soap now? LOL

 

[Humble me Lord]

We had a guy that was a mechanic in our truck shop where I used to work. He was a grown man, early 30's,but he used the f word more than anyone I ever heard. Many people avoided him it was so bad. I think he thought it was macho or made him sound tough, but I couldn't stand to be around him very long, it just grated on my nerves. He obviously wasn't saved, but also would tell us he was having trouble with his children being kicked off the school bus, and out of school for cussing teachers, sad really for the kids. Also they could not find a babysitter that would watch his kids. It was so bad it affected his work life, and children's lives.

My 16 year old daughter uses frickin quite often and that bothers me, I can see saying it when something unexpected or hurtful happens, but not just in normal conversation.

@*LILAC, don't use Lifeboy soap, I hear it causes blindness

 

[*LILAC]

@Humble me Lord I'll try to remember that! Maybe I'll just use baby soap.

 

[Humble me Lord]

It's from the movie, "Christmas Story", or have you never seen it?

 

[*LILAC]

It's from the movie, "Christmas Story", or have you never seen it?

Aaah, I just looked it up. I've heard of it but I haven't had the privilege of watching it yet. Something to add to the Christmas movie list! Thanks!

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

I'm wondering what curse word monkeys replaces, but sounds offensive either way, obviously depending on your environment

I was wondering about that too. How is the word used? "Oh, monkeys" might be worth adding to my vocabulary. Related to the expressions "throw a monkey wrench into things" or "just monkeying around," if something goes wrong, I suppose we can say somebody "monkeyed it up." There is also the possibility of the word "monkeyshines" used the way I sometimes use "bullfrogs" or "bulldogs." That's in a context where many people would just leave it at "bull." But I like to put the "frogs" or "dogs" on there. Again, the appeal of the unexpected.

Sorry to hear that. Harmless words like that enable you to let off some steam. Too much self-control turns us into starched shirts in my opinion.
I don't like the use of profanity to compensate for lack of vocabulary and repetition is absolutely disgusting. But the occasional use of the f word is totally understandable IMO. What about when you hit your hand with a hammer by accident? Might be Aussie culture too.

There are even some established swear words I don't have a problem with, although I wouldn't use them here, of course, or in front of anyone it would offend. As long as a word doesn't attack someone, as a racist, ethnic, or sexist slur would do, or misuse the name of the Lord, I can't make a case against it. However, it does bother me when people get carried away. Dropping six or seven profanities into a single sentence, and they're not even angry, it's just the way they talk, I just don't get that.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

My female boss uses the f word now and then. I think its sometimes a statement of feminism, of equal rights.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

I mostly use the words heck,darn,and hell when im mad.

 

[noam burde]

Some people say curse words themselves are the problem, some people think substitute words carry the same weight and feeling in your heart so those are sinful too. I have struggled with cursing ever since I got into it in middle school. Is saying words like 'fudge' 'duck' or 'monkeys' (some people at school do this, one girl says donkeys :? ) okay instead of full-on censor-worthy words or not?

can be ok or not. depending on the context and situation you are in.