The use of 'Gosh'...in real life?

[JinglingHellsBells]

I've recently seen posters using this on MN yet in real life I don't know anyone using it in speech.

The only person I know who uses it a lot is my Mum's neighbour, in her late 80s, and even as a child I thought it was quite antiquated and '1950s'.

I simply don't know anyone who says that word now.

(and I'm solidly middle class with educated middle class friends, if that makes any difference.)

Would you use the word “retard”, even though its etymology is linked to “late” ie “late developer”?

Why is it okay to use “golly” just because, say, you like saying it?

bread
As I said, you are correct when you say that the word ‘Golly’ has well known racist connotations.
However, the phrase ‘Golly Gosh’ is blasphemous, rather than racist.

Would you use the word “retard”, even though its etymology is linked to “late” ie “late developer”?

Who do you mean by ‘you’?
I say Gosh frequently. but I don’t say ‘Golly gosh’.

No, it’s blasphemous and racist! It was used to mock the Christianity of blacks (then called Negroes. We don’t use that term now either).

Started saying and texting gosh when my dd said God a few times, realised she was copying me and thought gosh sounds better coming out of a child's mouth☺

I wasn’t addressing you specifically @WhattheHhashappened. I suppose I should have used “one” in place of “you”. (Archaic language here aiding clarity ).

bread
Where are you getting this information from?

No, it’s blasphemous and racist! It was used to mock the Christianity of blacks (then called Negroes. We don’t use that term now either).
Sorry, I was referring to this! Forgot to link!

There are so many books on this subject. I mentioned one earlier. It’s studied in universities - the phenomenon is known as acculturation.

Which book gives this definition? - It was used to mock the Christianity of blacks (then called Negroes.
I’m interested because I have never seen this before. I have studied the history and origin of language and have not come across this.

Linking the blasphemy to black Christians that is.

Can’t give you a line reference but several of Amazon’s bestselling books this summer discuss it. Objections to the iconography of minstrel shows were being made in the 1980s.

what Kelsoooo said

I follow someone called Madame Directrice on Instagram who is very good on this. She posted a reading list which I bought from Amazon during theBLM protests.

Can’t give you a line reference but several of Amazon’s bestselling books this summer discuss it.
Can you name a few to point me in the right direction ? There are hundreds of best sellers on Amazon this summer.

Can someone tell me why it’s so important to be able to continue saying “Golly” or “Golly gosh” when it gives offence, but not okay to say “retard” because it offends those who have mental handicaps. It’s been eye-opening for me to see some of the vitriol here. There are plenty more minced oaths without such problematic connotations so why not let it quietly drop from use as we have “retard” or “cretin”?

I mainly say 'Oh my gosh' since having children, I cannot stand hearing children say 'Oh my God!'

Look when someone makes a point that is questionable and when asked for a source says 'lots of books' you doubt them quite quickly.
We know the Roberton jam golly is offensive of course.but 'golly gosh'? Never heard of that.

There are plenty more minced oaths without such problematic connotations

If you’re a devout Christian I’d say most minced oaths are problematic!

More problematic for some , but I thought not flinching when your children swore was confirmation of your poshness. Would love to know more from the MNers who self-identify as upper middle class .

And again a poster on about 'vitriol' when what they mean is 'not everybody agrees with me'.

So true, @WhattheHhashappened. I do try to avoid the J word too, but it doesn’t have the same capacity to offend as Christians, certainly in the UK, aren’t marginalised in the same way as black people or those with disabilities.

I remember getting my legs slapped by a Nun at school for saying ‘ Holey Moley’
I think she was offended!

@Destroyedpeople I do think being told I’m “arrogant”, “ignorant”, “incoherent” and being told to fuck off is “vitriolic”, yes,

Disagree all you like, but educate yourself first.

'Educate yourself'...thete was a thread earlier that specifically said that people who use that term are usually idiots. How accurate.
Shall I read the 'lots of books' that you recommend?