In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

CURSES! (“!?*#ZX?@”) by Jean Granberry Schnitz  How things have changed! There was a time in Texas when people would not dare to say certain words or expressions. Nowadays, people seem to say whatever they want to—whenever and wherever they want to! If it is true that traditions, attitudes and behavior patterns reflect folklore, then these behavior and language changes are part of our Texas folklore. Exclaiming and cursing are probably as old as mankind, but throughout history there have been major changes in what people say when they curse, swear, and exclaim. People react verbally to many things. The words used depend on what causes the reaction, as well as on a person’s vocabulary, experience, and social training. Earliest cursing was based on beliefs that supernatural power and/or witchcraft could be invoked to cause injury or evil to descend upon enemies. This usage of the word “curse” is common in literature throughout history. For purposes of this paper, referring to the use of profane, insolent or obscene words as “cussing” differentiates between “cursing” in the sense of invoking evil. Early usage of profane language was associated with certain classes of people and/or certain professions. For example, an old and well-worn expression refers to “cussing like a sailor.” I think it’s fair to say that sailors were not the only ones cussing! According to J. Frank Dobie, cowboys used their share of language that was “too raw for gentle ears.” Dobie also said, “In a society vigorously and exclusively masculine, a great deal of the song and talk . . . is downright obscene.”1 Cowboys? Obscene talk? Not John Wayne! Not Gene Autry! At least there was none on camera. For purposes of comparison, let’s “rewind” back as many years as you can remember. Think about what you heard people say, both for “cussing a cat” and for what was said for exclamation and comment. Think about what you and your friends said—for emphasis—as you were growing up. I did that, and this is what I 273 remembered from sixty to seventy years ago. Bear in mind that I was raised in Texas during the 1930s and 1940s in a home where use of certain language was cause for having one’s mouth washed out with soap. I learned to think twice before using a cuss word. It was even possible to have one’s ears washed out with soap for simply having overheard somebody else’s use of prohibited language. The male elders in my family, being normal human beings, were prone to anger in certain situations, but never (in the presence of children, at least) would they utter a word considered to be loathsome, obscene, or vulgar. Grandpapa Scudder’s favorite word to use in times of stress was, “Tarnation!” but sometimes he would say, “Blazes!” or “Doggies!” “Pshaw!” indicated extreme disgust. Grandpapa also apparently invented, “Tonsonnit!” for use in totally disgusting situations. What would you have said if you had a green parrot bite your upper lip and not let go? As he grabbed the parrot and threw him across the room, Grandpapa exclaimed, “Consarn you!” 274 Everything But the Kitchen Sink Grandma and Grandpa Scudder’s 60th Anniversary photo, 1951 I never heard either of my grandmothers exclaim angrily. Nothing seemed to provoke them to anger, though in times of stress, Grandmama Scudder might say, “Oh, Lordy!” or perhaps, “Fiddlesticks!” Can you imagine a Grandma nowadays with such a mild vocabulary? My Daddy probably had the worst temper of anyone in the family. He was, however, skilled at mumbling when he was angry. It was possible to hear sounds that might be interpreted as “cuss” words, but it couldn’t be proved. He was pretty good at expressing his anger by waving his arms, shaking his fists, grimacing, and kicking things. Mama’s most fervent expression was, “Mercy!” or, “Horrors!” Well, most of the time. I can still laugh as I remember the time Mama stood screaming and dancing around on the toilet seat—trapped by a tiny mouse on the floor—while Daddy and I collapsed on the floor amid gales of laughter. “I hate you,” she shouted, but we knew she wouldn’t hate us once the mouse was gone. Any word or expression that could be mistaken for using the Lord’s name in vain was strictly taboo, but “Lordy mercy” was tolerated , as was “Oh, Lord.” To say, “Jeez,” “Gee,” or “Gee whiz” was likely to...

Share