The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #85837   Message #1593006
Posted By: JohnInKansas
29-Oct-05 - 06:30 AM
Thread Name: BS: Minced oaths
Subject: RE: BS: Minced oaths
"Far wway in a distant land, a long time ago..." or meybe just in another thread, I recall describing the "heirarchy" of swearing, as I observed it when quite young in the farm community where my parents were raised and where grandparents (and a bunch of cousins) still lived.

There were certain (some included above) minced oaths that men could use in the company of other men, but would not use in the presence of females (if they wanted to survive).

A separate set of minced oaths could be used by men in the presence of women (and usually when children were present) but the women would never use them. (And the kids would get soundly walloped if they used them.)

There was a whole different set of minced oaths that the women might (occasionally) use if none of the men were around, but a different set that they would use (mostly a little more watered down) in mixed company.

The kids were pretty much expected to keep their mouths shut - but they knew all the words.

John