The Things We Say Without Thinking

“Image by Becky Ayers” 

After living almost 50 years I have heard a lot of exclamations. Some made sense, some didn’t. But either way one can’t help but wonder where these exclamations came from let alone why anyone would say them.

Here is a list of some of the exclamations I have heard throughout my life. I bet you have heard at least a few of them and question their origins just as I have.

1. “Holy Cow“, as shown in the picture above, is one I have heard so many times that I couldn’t even begin to count. This was a big one back in the 50’s, 60’s and even into the 70’s. Anyone saying it past those decades not only received strange looks, but showed just how old they were.

2. “For the Love of Pete” is one that even I say and my husband still questions “who this Pete guy is” and “why do I need his love“.

3. “Crimenee”, soon to be morphed into “crimenetti” is one that I heard a lot back in the 60’s and 70’s, but it seemed to be used more frequently by younger teen girls.

4. “For crying out loud” is one that many people have heard and have probably used, even though it makes no sense. If someone says it, they are showing they are angry about something. Did this something happen “for crying out loud”? And if so, why?

Me to my sewing needle: You just poked me!

My sewing needle to me: Yeah, and?

Me to my sewing needle: Why did you do that?

My sewing needle to me: I did it for “crying out loud”.

Me to my sewing needle: That makes no sense.

5. “Oh my God” although frowned upon in many religious communities, is used a lot. The problem is that most of the reasons it is used would have nothing to do with God. In fact most reasons would be more like “Oh that Devil!” Long ago (I’m talking back WAY back when people actually gave more thought to what they said before speaking) this was more along the lines of “Oh my” or the ever popular 50’s version “Oh my goodness” and “Oh dear“.

Now on to the ones that really bug me. And these are the ones that are used a lot online in several ways.

6. “WTF” is used in the real world and in chat rooms all over the world. This one makes less sense than any I have ever heard. I mean think about it. Sure, it used to be “What the Hell” and “What the heck”, but “WTF” is absurd. How does THAT word fit into that question even slightly?

Me to a friend on the phone: “I fell and broke my leg yesterday .”

My friend to me: “Are you okay?”

Me to my friend: “Yes, but the doctor said I have to wear the cast for about 3 months.”

My friend to me: “WTF?”

So as you can see, we tend to say many things that sound incredibly stupid when we are either angry, excited or shocked. Thinking before opening your mouth can solve any future embarrassment.