Jan 10, 2009
Good words, bad words, and using good words badly. Try explaining this to a kid:
Like this post?
Even though we react more viscerally to bad language, it’s worse to use a nice word spitefully than a naughty word cordially.
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© 2012 Abuyo. All rights reserved.
A thought worth pondering–thanks for it, and phrasing it as you did.
…because of the ponder-factor…no topical response as of yet ! :)
I explain it to my kids as the tone and emotion behind the word used is just as significant as using a “proper” swear word. It is about controlling yourself and your emotional reactions so as to not offend. (If I was supposed to reply with only 22 words… ooops! lol)
Wish I could be as succinct as yourself.
Best wishes
CV
I have young children and am careful to avoid sarcasm. They don’t understand it yet and it only confuses them. Good post.
Speaking of words I was reading John Owen the other day (in between watching 24, so that i dont sound too holy) and came across the word “obviate” sadly neither my school latin nor my memory of your blog entry could remind me what it meant….
I worked seven years with a professional Jesus worshiper. The only times he told me about Jesus directly was during temper tantrums.
Profound. a great example of why I read your blog.
Man. If we could just control our tongues…
worse? or equally bad? just wondering …
When it comes to “bad” words, I think context is everything.
@Rachel: Worse, I think.
So what about Prince Harry, then?
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/01/10/prince.harry.videos/
Speaking of choosing your words wisely:
Marc Driscoll in the NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/magazine/11punk-t.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&sq=driscoll&st=cse&scp=2
This greatly depends on the type of naughty language.
Evidently, one of the worst things you can do verbally is speak name-in-vain naughty, even if it’s cordial.
http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=exodus+20%3A7
D— good thought. I just want an example of what you mean.
Words aren’t good or bad, although some are more commonly used in hateful talk. The heart measures the goodness of all words.
Today my son said a neutral word with a slightly hateful attitude then asked me, “That was mean wasn’t it?”
I asked him, “Did you want it to be?”
At age four, we have already had discussions on how you say things and not merely what you say.