eu·phe·mism
1. the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
2. the expression so substituted
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I admit that I am a person who grimaces when I hear other Christians use, perhaps ignorantly, words that once were taboo because of their root. When I taught in Christian schools, I had an English unit (high school) that contained in it a lesson on words/expressions and why we use them, I always would include an additional portion because of things I would hear. Points suggested that students use as a filter included asking themselves
1) Where did I hear the word/expression used?
2) What does the word/expression mean?
3) Why do I want to use the word/expression?
So often, their language choices were rooted in what they heard through a media source (television programs, movies, music, sports heroes), thinking these words/expressions were essential to being in tune with society, being in tune with their friends and other associates.
While perusing Facebook and journal entries by people I know to be Christians, I do get a surprise on occasion, as I see them use words/expressions like “What the double hockey sticks!” or “Dang!” or “Hot Dang!” I do cringe when I hear teens and young adults at church use words/expressions like “jeez,” “jeezum,” and such. I have seen written “OMG!” or “TGIF!” Although those can be excused by claiming, the G in OMG is gosh, not God and the G in TGIF is not God but goodness, I don’t think that we are realizing which came first – the G meaning God or the G meaning some other less offensive word, like gosh or goodness. Have we become so accustomed to the use of euphemisms like these that it does not bother us when we hear them?
True, the tendency today is to separate the using of God’s name in vain from using words that are just crude, crass, or just inappropriate – oddly on television, using God’s name in vain is acceptable, while the crude and crass words are often not allowed (depending on the channel, the program, and the time). These words/expressions usually are used as expressions of anger and disgust or of surprise.
When I did the lesson on these “Christian” euphemisms, also known as minced oaths, I would send the students to the dictionary to see what was included in the definition. They had to admit that they were surprised that even a non-religious word, like shoot, also could fall into the category of a euphemism or minced oath.
Let’s take a look at what the dictionary records about some of these words (all definitions are from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed.) :
Gee – (interj.) Used as a mild expletive or exclamation, as of surprise, enthusiasm, or sympathy. [Alteration of Jesus.].
Gosh – (interj.) Used to express mild surprise or delight. [Alteration of God.]
Golly – (interj.) Used to express mild surprise or wonder. [Alteration of God.]
Jeez/Geez/Gees/(other variation) – (interj.) Used to express surprise or annoyance. [Alteration of Jesus.]
Darn – (interj.) Used to express dissatisfaction or annoyance. (Adv/adj) Damn. [Alteration of damn.]
Dang – (interj.) Used to express dissatisfaction or annoyance. (Adv/adj) Damn. [Alteration of damn.]
Heck -- (interj.) Used as a minor oath. [Alteration of hell.]
From this list we could go on and list other words that, like shoot, are not a problem until we use them as words of disgust or anger.
I can remember standing along the sidelines at soccer games and hear players shout, “Shoot!” when they thought the person with the ball should kick for a goal. I also heard players shout, “Shoot!” and kick the ground after they made some type of mistake or missed the goal. On the sidelines, the word did not sound like ‘Shoot!” and the context of the situation did not help either.
Have parents, down through the generations, been neglectful in teaching their children right words? Have parents been neglectful in teaching their children how to react to situations that disgust them, anger them, or even surprise them?
“Christian” society has moved farther the wrong way in regard to their language. Once it seemed proper to substitute God, hell, and damn with less offensive words – although they still implied the true meaning; now we hear ones who claim to be Christians -- and they might well be; they just aren’t thinking or haven’t been taught – give little thought to saying very freely, “Oh my God!”
What do I say when I am disgusted? When I am angry or upset? When I am surprised? Why do I use that word/expression? What does it mean? Why do I use it or want to use it? Are my words offensive to other believers? Are my words a surprise to non-believers? Are my words offensive to God?
We all need to watch what we say.
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You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. (Exodus 20:7 TLT)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 TLT)
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 TLT)
