OMG? is this a rude thing to say?

[Timeisawastin]

Just that - the phrase 'Oh my God...'

I work as a TA with kids aged 8-10 and so many of them say this whenever they are frustrated, stroppy or feeling argumentative. I'm not religious but I certainly consider it an inappropriate phrase for children to use.

I had a chat with a couple of the girls today after one of them said it. Neither of them had any concept that this was anything other than normal, a it's a phrase used by all the family. I suggested that they might like to think of other things to say that won't sound so offensive or rude.

I fully expect that a couple of parents will complain about today's conversation if their girls repeat it.

AIBU?

I don't think it's rude or offensive tbh.

I would think children in school would be asked to use oh my goodness, as it is more appropriate.

It's just a turn if phrase. I imagine most people say it at some time. I don't think it's rude or offensive at all when said by adults. I would feel quite surprised if a child came out with it - not sure why though.

I know quite a few older people who find it offensive so I don't like my DS using it. I would not be happy if his teachers or TAs used it around him.

I'm with LemonBreeland. I try to use that myself.

You are not being unreasonable, but it's certainly very normal. Have you tried saying 'only say Oh God when you're talking to God, please?'

I don't find it offensive personally, but there are certainly people who do. I remember being told off for it my youth. Nothing wrong with explaining it's offensive/not respectful toward others' beliefs.

I've trained myself to switch to "Oh my goodness".

Both ds' have been known to use it and I correct them to use oh my goodness as I think that sounds nicer. Dh pulled a face and made a bit of a fuss about me saying 'oh crickey' last night, but I can't see a problem with that one, but he seemed most shocked I had used it infront of the children.

more appropriate.

More appropriate for what? Lemon

I think that omg is generally accepted these days

missymayhemsmum I did just that earlier, I told the girls that the only really acceptable time to use was when they were about to start saying a prayer. They both looked totally nonplussed!

No, I don't find it offensive.

FFS.

Mind you, one of the girls was also doodling 'LMFAO' on her jotter. I asked her what that meant to her. It meant laugh, that's all.

I don't like it, and I'm an atheist. I've had trouble explaining to my DDs that I don't like them using them term when all their friends use it. But whether you believe or not, its taking the lord's name in vain, which is one of the 10 commandments. I just think, as others have said, stick to using the name of god for actually talking about god.

It makes me feel very uncomfortable to hear children say it.

I find it a bit offensive, tell the kids not to use it. But I am a Christian so my view may be coloured by that.

Oh my word trips off the tongue easier than oh my goodness IMO and can be typed as OMW which doesn't read blasphemous either, unlike oh my goodness which would be OMG and look inappropriate.

I never used to even think about it being disrespectful to say because I never though it was wrong, but I do now have a few Christian friends who find it offensive and I was mortified at first that I could be so casually offensive, as that is not me usually. I think it's only right to teach kids that it's potentially offensive.

It meant laugh, that's all.

I'm sure.

We told my mom WTF meant "where's the fun". She gave us a good hard stare to see if we were really trying to pull that. Ah, well... we tried. :)

Annie I don't want to derail the thread, but I am really intrigued why, as an atheist, it bothers you that it's taking the lords name in vain and breaking one of the 10 commandments? If you don't believe there is a lord surely that's just a list of daft irrelevant rules to you? or is it about courtesy to those who do believe and may be offended?

I really don't like it and I'm an atheist.

I've taught ds to say Oh My Goodness (mainly because at least 'goodness' starts with the same letter so if you slip up its easier to switch).

But it is not 'taking the Lord's name in vain'

If we are to pedantic, capitals would be used for words like God.

If they are not, then no problem. It could be anyone's god.

Even if they are, I find it hilarious that some religious zealots might be outraged by the capitilisation (sp?) of a word?

It is all about courtesy for others for me.