# I requre a non-dope alternative to the use of 'god' as an expletive or expression **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 2, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199 "2006-06-02T21:05:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/41 "2006-06-03T18:43:05Z")
“Good golly, Miss Molly!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/42 "2006-06-03T20:25:07Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] “Frick” makes a useful substitute for “fuck” where a degree of cleanliness is required. " [/QUOTE] Hee hee. Just reminded me (probably because there’s also a frick building in NYC) of my and who use to work at the Puck. Answering phones. In other words saying “Good morning, this is the Puck Building” over and over again. On some days when it wasn’t a particularly good morning for her, she had to be VERY careful when she picked up the phone. Which brings me to my next point, isn’t “for fucks sake” or “fuck you” etc. even worse to be used as and expression of hostility or fustration? After all, I believe in fucking and consider it a good thing, whereas god I’m a bit dubious about on both points. Of course I use both expressions (in fact got in trouble…and got my mother in trouble apparently, for my fequent use of “oh god” in kindergarten.) But that’s because I think there’s a word “fuck” that means the particularly interesting act and there’s a word “fuck” that’s and expilative. And there’s a word “god” (or “God” if you prefer) that refers to a divine deity and a word “god” that’s an expilative. That says, I’d like to see “Zounds!” come back ni to fashin (not that that doesn’t have religious conotations of it’s own). And of course there’s alway “Oh shit”. You can’t not believe in shit. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/43 "2006-06-03T20:59:44Z")
I always liked the substitute phrase, “I don’t give a flying fig.” Nice imagery, funny. It always cracked me up when my friend used it. At that time, however, I had actually never heard the usual expression. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/44 "2006-06-03T21:40:56Z")
I will be saying “Bless You” to the burpers and the farters in my world from this day forth. And anyone who thinks farts are not the death-messengers that sneezes can be haven’t been around my friends ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/45 "2006-06-03T21:49:22Z")
[QUOTE=Lobsang] “What in god’s name” “oh god” “for god’s sake” [/QUOTE] “Whaaaa…?” :rolleyes: “Oh…” :dubious: “Fer…!” :mad: People just fill in the rest with whatever they are inclined to. But really, if you’re not religious, I don’t see how that of anything should stop you from saying “Oh god.” Any of those phrases at this point in time have as much to do with religion as colored eggs on Easter and red-adorned fat guys on Christmas do. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/46 "2006-06-03T22:07:42Z")
I like one I picked up from _Rome_: Juno’s cunt! Probably not suitable for pretty much any company though. [QUOTE=dangermom] I always liked the substitute phrase, “I don’t give a flying fig.” Nice imagery, funny. It always cracked me up when my friend used it. At that time, however, I had actually never heard the usual expression. [/QUOTE] An aside: the first time I heard this was on _Moonlighting_, when Maddie said she didn’t give a flying fig about something. David said he didn’t know what that meant, and Maddie nodded at the camera and said, “That’s OK, they do.” I wonder if that’s the origin or merely use of a pre-existing term. Actually, I think I might take up By Jove, By Grabthar’s Hammer, and Zounds. Nice suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/47 "2006-06-04T00:55:10Z")
[QUOTE=LucyInDisguise] Always wondered why my favorite never really caught on … [“Heavens to Murgatroyd!”](http://www.cartoonnetwork.com.au/asp/scrapbook/Snagglepuss/default.asp) Lucy [Exits stage left] [/QUOTE] i wonder as well, i use it quite a bit. we must get more converts. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/48 "2006-06-04T01:26:43Z")
I have a ton of these, I’ll admit. Some of my most often used that aren’t actually incredibly offensive: Jinkees Gork Gosh Golly Yoinks Oh dear Holy smokestacks I don’t give a rat’s ass I don’t know where all of them come from. My mother says “Oh for the love of Mike” or “Pete” all the time. And my father’s favorite expression was “Horseshit!” Somehow, the two of these turned into “Jinkies!” ---
**Author:** ![spiritturtle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@spiritturtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spiritturtle)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/49 "2006-06-04T02:39:47Z")
I prefer to use “dog.” It drives some people mad and makes others laugh. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/50 "2006-06-04T03:07:16Z")
[QUOTE=Shai’tan] There was a REASON people said “bless you” for sneezes. Those reasons never applied to burps or farts. Granted the Plague is not so much a problem now, but still. Burps and farts were never a sign of anything greater than a full stomach. (Or IBS, but then who believes in THAT?? That’s way out there with that God fellow…) [/QUOTE] There was a superstitious reason, and it was a long ass time ago. Now that we know sneezes can spread germs, and aren’t a sign of demonic possesion or whatever the fuck, wouldn’t the polite thing actually be for the sneezer to say, “Excuse me for potentially spreading my pathogens around, I’m terribly sorry”? ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/51 "2006-06-04T04:08:56Z")
[QUOTE=Nic2004] And anyone who thinks farts are not the death-messengers that sneezes can be haven’t been around my friends [/QUOTE] Or my husband. Or my boys. Or my sister-in-law. :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/52 "2006-06-04T07:56:35Z")
Wow. 50 replies and no-ones said the most blatanly obvious substitute word? I guess I’ll have to do it. **SMEG**. _Smegging Hell!_ _For Smeg’s Sake!_ _Smeggity Smegging Smeg!_ _Smeg Off!_ _Smeeeee… heeeeee…_😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shai\_tan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Shai\_tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shai_tan)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/53 "2006-06-04T08:29:12Z")
[QUOTE=sturmhauke] There was a superstitious reason, and it was a long ass time ago. Now that we know sneezes can spread germs, and aren’t a sign of demonic possesion or whatever the fuck, wouldn’t the polite thing actually be for the sneezer to say, “Excuse me for potentially spreading my pathogens around, I’m terribly sorry”? [/QUOTE] As I recall, it had nothing to do with a belief in demonic possesion, but rather a concern that you might have the Plague/Black Death. They said God Bless you in the hopes that you didn’t have it/wouldn’t catch it, 'cause if YOU’VE got it then you just exposed THEM to it. I believe the “Ring around the Rosies” song comes from the same time period. In any case, my point was that there was a reason it started. It just became a tradition that stuck. And yes the sneezer should excuse him/herself. I personally cover my mouth, sneeze, then say,“Pardon me.” Then I politely wipe my hand on the back of whoever happens to be standing next to me… ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/54 "2006-06-04T10:43:15Z")
[QUOTE=sturmhauke] There was a superstitious reason, and it was a long ass time ago. Now that we know sneezes can spread germs, and aren’t a sign of demonic possesion or whatever the fuck, wouldn’t the polite thing actually be for the sneezer to say, “Excuse me for potentially spreading my pathogens around, I’m terribly sorry”? [/QUOTE] Takes too long to say. But the initials, ah. I see a potential new swearword here. EMFPSMPAITS!! It even sounds like a swearword the way I’m pronouncing it. And sort of like a sneeze. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/55 "2006-06-05T03:49:26Z")
[QUOTE=Shai’tan] As I recall, it had nothing to do with a belief in demonic possesion, but rather a concern that you might have the Plague/Black Death. They said God Bless you in the hopes that you didn’t have it/wouldn’t catch it, 'cause if YOU’VE got it then you just exposed THEM to it. I believe the “Ring around the Rosies” song comes from the same time period. In any case, my point was that there was a reason it started. It just became a tradition that stuck. [/QUOTE] I hadn’t heard that explanation before, so I consulted the Oracle of Google. Our friend [Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/language/phrases/blessyou.asp) has this to say: > [@](#): > > The oldest sightings mentioned in Opie and Tatem’s A Dictionary of Superstitions are: > > ``` > [Pliny, Natural History, AD 77] > > Why is it that we salute a person when he sneezes, an observation which Tiberius Caesar, they say, the most unsociable of men, as we all know, used to exact, when riding in his chariot even? > > [Apuleius, Golden Ass, AD 150] > > 'Bless you, my dear!' he said, and 'bless you, bless you!' at the second and third sneeze. > > [Greek Anthology, ante AD 500] > > Dick cannot blow his nose whene'er he pleases, His nose so long is, and his arm so short; Nor ever cries, God bless me! when he sneezes -- He cannot hear so distant a report. > > ``` > > The earliest mentions of the practice carry no hint of the reasons for the practice, leaving us with a mystery. So people were saying something akin to “bless you” well over a millenium before the Black Plague. All explanations of the origin of this practice were invented centuries after it started. The explanation of [Ring Around The Rosie](http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/rosie.htm) is also false: > [@](#): > > …the earliest print appearance of “Ring Around the Rosie” did not occur until the publication of Kate Greenaway’s Mother Goose or The Old Nursery Rhymes in 1881. > > …Children were apparently reciting this plague-inspired nursery rhyme for over six hundred years before someone finally figured out what they were talking about, as the first known mention of a plague interpretation of “Ring Around the Rosie” didn’t show up until James Leasor published The Plague and the Fire in 1961. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/56 "2006-06-05T04:01:29Z")
Years ago, my ex and I had a neighbour called Rod. Rod had a fantastic garden, and would frequently send home vegetables for the little dude, ever since the first time he saw the boy munch down on a fresh broccoli. One such time my ex came in with an armload of vegetables and said “I’m on a mission from Rod.” Since then, I’ve used “Thank Rod” and “For Rod’s sake” on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/57 "2006-06-05T05:34:54Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] dpwned!!!1! [/QUOTE] I know. I was waiting for it as soon as I saw my post. sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Ink\_a\_dink\_a\_dink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ec9cab/32.png) [@Ink\_a\_dink\_a\_dink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ink_a_dink_a_dink)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/58 "2006-06-05T06:16:41Z")
[QUOTE=Martha] By Toutatis! Thundering typhoons! Blistering barnacles! [/QUOTE] CaptainHaddock! “woah woah” Snowy! Tintin ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/59 "2006-06-05T14:12:41Z")
Oh Belgum! Great Zarquad! ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199/60 "2006-06-05T14:24:29Z")
[QUOTE=Dragwyr] Oh Belgum! Great Zarquad! [/QUOTE] Holy Zarquon’s singing fish! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-requre-a-non-dope-alternative-to-the-use-of-god-as-an-expletive-or-expression/359199.md?page=4)