# G-d

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 28, 2000, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173 "2000-07-28T07:37:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/1 "2000-07-28T07:37:51Z")

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Real quick and probably stupid question: Why do many people here insist on spelling “God” with a hyphen in the middle? Color me secular, but I don’t get it.

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**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/2 "2000-07-28T08:08:41Z")

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I haven’t seen that before… .Gotta link? Are they worried about blasphemy?

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**Author:** ![tcburnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@tcburnett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tcburnett)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/3 "2000-07-28T08:16:13Z")

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You only blaspheme when you take the name of the lord in vain. “Our father who art in Heaven, Harold be thy name” wouldn’t be blasphemy. I don’t suppose misspelling God would be blasphemy either. If I were religious, and I were going to use ‘God’ in a sentence, I’d be Goddamned sure to spell it right. Who is someone fooling by using a hyphen? Themselves, God, the moderator?

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**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/4 "2000-07-28T08:36:50Z")

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[serious face]  
i’m pretty sure it derives from the practice of not saying the name of god. since most jews who observe that strictly (i think) regard only the name in Hebrew as sacredly so, i’ll bet it’s a Christian adaptation to the same tradition.  
[/serious face]

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**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/5 "2000-07-28T09:12:21Z")

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=\> Minor hijack, please ignore after it has been answered \<=

I’ve seen “IIRC” alot, but still can’t figure out what it means. Anyone willing to help me out?

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**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/6 "2000-07-28T09:17:26Z")

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If I Recall Correctly, you can find the answer here:

[url=][http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=2528](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=2528)

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**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/7 "2000-07-28T09:56:29Z")

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Ah, I see. Many thanks. (By the way, the link doesn’t work.)

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**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/8 "2000-07-28T10:00:33Z")

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[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=2528](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=2528)  
Ok click this one. Sorry about the last one.

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**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/9 "2000-07-28T10:03:54Z")

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mr nenno,

is that supposed to be pointing to a thread about acronyms?

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**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/10 "2000-07-28T10:14:54Z")

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Yes! The second one works. I do not know what I did with the first one. Oh well…

… And don’t call me **Mr**!! I am a year younger than you. Well almost. I turn 21 Saturday.

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**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/11 "2000-07-28T10:17:26Z")

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Some of the Observant Jews are very careful to never write the Name of G-d, in casual writing. Ie they would never write out “YAHVEH” (sorry), and thus they try not even to write out “God”, using G-d instead. I try to use G-d, out of respect for their beliefs.

On the other hand\< I refuse to use “BCE”, or “CE”, as whether or not you accept JC as the Messiah, He was still one of the most influential men who ever lived. Jews, during the Roman Empire, had no problem using “AUC” in their non-Hebrew writings, so I cannot see how AD & BC are such a big deal.

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**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/12 "2000-07-28T13:19:25Z")

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All I said was “That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah”.

Sorry. I can’t help it.

picmr

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/13 "2000-07-28T13:31:48Z")

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We use BCE and CE. We don’t ask you to.  
Regards,  
CP

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**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/14 "2000-07-28T13:50:43Z")

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Many Orthodox Jews (myself included) write “G-d” rather than the full word because it would desecrate the name if it were to be thrown away. Now, I will admit that a) there’s some dispute as to whether this concept applies to the English translation as well as to the Biblical Hebrew name of G-d, and b) there’s some dispute as to whether or not the prohibition of writing can be applied to entering it on a computer. However, I feel “better safe than sorry.”

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**Author:** ![Kyberneticist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/15 "2000-07-28T15:34:30Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Danielinthewolvesden \*  
> \*\*Some of the Observant Jews are very careful to never write the Name of G-d, in casual writing. Ie they would never write out “YAHVEH” (sorry), and thus they try not even to write out “God”, using G-d instead. I try to use G-d, out of respect for their beliefs.
> 
> On the other hand\< I refuse to use “BCE”, or “CE”, as whether or not you accept JC as the Messiah, He was still one of the most influential men who ever lived. Jews, during the Roman Empire, had no problem using “AUC” in their non-Hebrew writings, so I cannot see how AD & BC are such a big deal. \*\*

AUC meant from the building of the city, and did not require blasphemy every time it was written. Anno Domini, on the other hand, means In The Year of Our Lord and I’ve seen a few campaigns to remove that full spelling from diplomas and what not in the interest of church/state separation.  
While I don’t see why you have to, I think it’s fairly understandable why the Jews use BCE/CE. I use it, personally, due to a more secular orientation.

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**Author:** ![labradorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@labradorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labradorian)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/16 "2000-07-28T16:21:40Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by cmkeller \*  
> \*\*Many Orthodox Jews (myself included) write “G-d” rather than the full word because it would desecrate the name if it were to be thrown away. Now, I will admit that a) there’s some dispute as to whether this concept applies to the English translation as well as to the Biblical Hebrew name of G-d, and b) there’s some dispute as to whether or not the prohibition of writing can be applied to entering it on a computer. However, I feel “better safe than sorry.” \*\*

Reminds me of my mother, who isn’t Catholic, who is constantly crossing herself, AND throws spilled salt, AND ‘crosses out’ crows, etc., etc.,… “just in case”.

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**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/17 "2000-07-28T17:40:54Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by \ ***labradorian**  
> Reminds me of my mother, who isn’t Catholic, who is constantly crossing herself, AND throws spilled salt, AND ‘crosses out’ crows, etc., etc.,… “just in case”.

‘crosses out’ crows?? 😕

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**Author:** ![fierra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58956e/32.png) [@fierra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fierra)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/18 "2000-07-28T17:48:18Z")

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This is sort of a new question but (related, honest!) -  
I seem to recall hearing that the original written version of hebrew either didn’t include the vowels or put them at the end of the word. Is that true?  
If so, were the vowels dropped from g-d word, same as chosen to do in English, to avoid blasphemy?  
If so, I seem to recall hearing that owing to no one knowing original pronunciation it could be (forgive me but it is a genuine question) yahweh or jehovah or similar variants as no one knows how it would have been said & the pronunciation naturally wouldn’t have come down through oral tradition because of the blasphemy rule…is that right too?  
ok last question - I seem to recall hearing that some people say Adonai (Lord) to refer to G-d, bypassing the issue entirely?  
Ok it’s more than 1 question, I’ll have to post a remedial counting thread 😉  
Thanks,  
Fi

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**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/19 "2000-07-28T18:01:12Z")

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There is another possible explanation for this phenomenon. On USENET, there are a number of folks who scan the net for postings including words like God, Hitler, Nazi, etc., then follow-up with mindless dreck about why the KKK is the wave of the future, or whatever. To avoid this, a lot of folks write G-d, H_tler, N_zi, and the like, in order to foil the idiots kibozing USENET. This may account for **some** usages of the dash.

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**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2000, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-d/27173/20 "2000-07-28T18:28:14Z")

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fierra:

> [@](#):
>
> I seem to recall hearing that the original written version of hebrew either didn’t include the vowels or put them at the end of the word. Is that true?

Written Hebrew did not contain vowels until very, very recently…possibly even the last 2 centuries. Torah scrolls, Talmuds, and many post-Talmudic books are even today written/printed without vowel marks (although alternate versions with vowel marks are printed as well).

> [@](#):
>
> If so, were the vowels dropped from g-d word, same as chosen to do in English, to avoid blasphemy?

More likely, the o is dropped because it’s the middle letter. -od or Go- wouldn’t be very recognizable as an alternate writing for that name. But when I’d been writing G-d, everyone recognized it for what it was, even if they didn’t understand why I did it.

> [@](#):
>
> If so, I seem to recall hearing that owing to no one knowing original pronunciation it could be (forgive me but it is a genuine question) yahweh or jehovah or similar variants as no one knows how it would have been said & the pronunciation naturally wouldn’t have come down through oral tradition because of the blasphemy rule…is that right too?

Not so much blasphemy as “saying G-d’s name in vain.” (third of the ten commandments). That name was so holy, it was only permitted to be spoken as written during the Temple service, and everyone present had to bow down when it was pronounced. With the Temple’s destruction, the proper pronunciation has probably been forgotten.

> [@](#):
>
> ok last question - I seem to recall hearing that some people say Adonai (Lord) to refer to G-d, bypassing the issue entirely?

Not quite bypassing the issue. That pronunciation is a name of G-d, and that is pronounced in place of the four-letter name you referenced above. I wouldn’t swear to it (heh), but I think that name would also be forbidden as blasphemy if misused…but its proper use is for more circumstances than the proper use of the four-letter form.

Chaim Mattis Keller

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