I went back to physical church this past Sunday after one year and four months of watching the weekly service online. It was weird – the smaller attendance, the lack of the usual treats and coffee that were always present, and saying hello to people I had not seen since I was last inside the building.
One of those people was Brenda, who is a very sweet soul and who I have helped with volunteer opportunities in the past. On Sunday, we chatted and finally realized that we would both be absent on a day in August when we were supposed to lead children in outdoor games.
Out of my mouth…
Well, sh*t.
After I quickly said, “Forgive my French,” Brenda responded with something like, “That’s okay, who knows where swear words come from anyhow.” She said this as if it were an excuse, but in reality, it was her acceptance of the fact that sometimes I say naughty words.
I was forgiven and still, I had to look up this swear word’s history. From Mashable:
“We have Old English to thank for one of the most commonly used swear words in the United States. Old English words such as scite (dung), scitte (diarrhea) and scitan (to defecate), all rooted in the Proto-Germanic skit-, evolved into Middle English schitte (excrement) and shiten (to defecate). It then evolved some more to the word we know and love today.
According to OED, “sh*t” has been used to mean an “obnoxious person” since 1508. The dictionary also has a list of common phrases involving “sh*t” and the approximate year they were first used. Here is some of what they found in their research:
- 1922: “not give a sh*t”
- 1937: “up sh*t creek”
- 1942: “sh*t list”
- 1960s: “sh*t-faced”
- 1989: “same sh*t different day”
So, there you have it. An origin story and the hefty use of an asterik in the hopes that someone above forgives me too.
This post has been brought to you by a common swear word and Linda Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday. If you are wondering what One-Liner Wednesday is all about, CLICK HERE.
Linda G. Hill is the Queen of One-Liners and rules over her kingdom of followers. Check out today’s post and commit yourself to join the Queen’s one-liner army because there’s no fighting or blood, only comradery and fun with words.
Mary J Melange 
Four letter words of varying impact sometimes creep into one’s vocabulary. I’m pretty sure most folks understand because they pray for forgiveness themselves. 🙂
Oh, I’m sure my friend and many others have uttered the naughty words. Once you learn them, by whatever means, they tend to show up every so often. At least in my case, that’s true.
It’s always interesting to find out where words come from, even the ones we aren’t supposed to use. Those words slip in and out of my conversation sometimes. I hope it’s OK with the Big Guy.
I hope (and pray) the Big Guy has more to worry about than a few swear words from either of us, Dan. But, abstinence is still good practice when there are so many other “nice” words we can use.
That’s true. I work at it. I’m actually pretty good around the Editor and in public. It degrades quickly with some friends.
I know how that goes. A certain friend and I tend to get our swearing out with each other’s company, but only in a harmless way. Never mean-spirited.
To be honest I don’t trust people who don’t swear. I knew ‘sh!t’ had been around for a while, but not the history of it. I’m better informed now.
Ha! I’ve had other people tell me that. Swearing may be a sign of honest thoughts and feelings, as long as one doesn’t get carried away with the many words and throw them at someone else.
And it sounds so much better than faeces. I’m just saying…
LOL, you have a way of looking at the bright side, Pam!
Sometimes swear words say it best
True that Beth! 😀
Netflix had a show about swear words with Nic Cage as host. That was the only reason I watched part of it. I think it’s funny that if a network still talks about Schitt’s Creek, they have to flash the show’s name on the screen.
I remember coming upon the swear word show when perusing Netflix. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I found other shows to watch that piqued more of my interest. Maybe when I’m done with the crime-fighting/super hero/fantasy shows I like, I’ll go back to it.
Truly, you are not missing anything. They kind of went off on words I don’t even use. And Nic was not even on the screen as much as I would have liked…dammit. **they used that word**
Duly noted. I’ll find something else. 🙂
History of words, thanks I learned something new today!
You’re welcome!
Ah well, I think someone above and all around has a good sense of humor. It’s only words after all. 🤗
I never aim those “words” at anyone else, if that helps…
That is all that counts in my book. You could shout “Roses and Daffodils” and if there is ill intent behind it, that makes it nasty in my book.
Sometime those words just slip out – sort of like a little fart! All you can do is say excuse me and hope there isn’t too much of a stink!!
Lol, I like that analogy! 😀