...to sometimes give toddler DD the finger behind her back?

[Legbreak]

She definitely doesn’t see and it makes me feel better and is always at home, not out and about etc. My DSis thinks it’s appalling.

[GunpowderGelatine]

Well. If sticking a finger up isn’t always offensive, then why is it necessary to do it when the toddlers back is turned....

Probably the same reason the vast majority of parents don't swear in front of small children - so they don't repeat it and use it inappropriately or in an embarrassing way.

This is really not rocket science folks

[Believeitornot]

Giving someone the finger, be it toddler, husband or pet cat is swearing “at” somebody/pet. It’s not just a general waving of a digit.

We don’t give the finger with no one to direct it at. The finger is directed at someone/thing.

[Believeitornot]

I always thought his was universally understood about the nature of swearing but I have found that some people ALWAYS think the sentiment is offensive

Well. If sticking a finger up isn’t always offensive, then why is it necessary to do it when the toddlers back is turned....

[nostaples]

Gunpowder, you're not actually making any sense.

[GunpowderGelatine]

You’re calling troll because I don’t think it’s ok to swear at toddlers. I think this thread has jumped the shark.

Oh the joyful irony of this statement. As I actually stated, I suspect you're a troll because of your lack of reading comprehension - that is, your strange premise of reading something quite clear and saying "I read at as something entirely different actually". Like you have just done 😂

[SmileEachDay]

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

English swearing insults are are dull in comparison though Shakespeare wrote a few good insults

[UserX]

I'm beginning to think you're a troll. No one is this lacking in comprehension

😂😂🤣🤣😂

You’re calling troll because I don’t think it’s ok to swear at toddlers. I think this thread has jumped the shark.

[GunpowderGelatine]

*swearing

[GunpowderGelatine]

UserX- I've already said many times
no one is s earring at toddlers.

I'm beginning to think you're a troll. No one is this lacking in comprehension

[SmileEachDay]

*malaka - apologies, I’m accurate in my swearing, if nothing else.

[GunpowderGelatine]

Erm I'll think you'll find it does, user. But you go ahead and change the narrative to suit you, because you don't want to face the fact that actually doing a small gesture behind someone's back that neither they nor anyone else will ever know about, has zero affect on them

[SmileEachDay]

Enthusiam

Greek is a rich source of sweary insults - there’s a generic “Makala” which kinda means “wanker” but it can be combined in lots of different ways, one of which translates as “how many kilos of asshole are you” 😂😂😂

[UserX]

Or that swearing at toddler sis acceptable?

What on earth are you arguing for then? Maybe you didn’t notice but this thread is about swearing at toddlers. It says so in the thread title.

[UserX]

I specifically said it isn't ok to bitch

If it isn’t ok, then the analogy doesn’t work.

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

I find swearing insults in other languages interesting

It often far more descriptive one I have heard is you smell and have sex like a pig

Now I know this is down to my superior intelligence something I have always suspected

[GunpowderGelatine]

Shows what kind of person you are. I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised— if you think swearing at toddlers is acceptable, anything goes

Oh stop making things up. When did I say I bitched about people? Or that swearing at toddler sis acceptable? It's so fucking (gasp) annoying when posters do that - literally lie about what has been said on the thread 🙄

[GunpowderGelatine]

I was WOWing at the idea that bitching behind someone’s back is ok, just because they’ll never know.

🤦🏼‍♀️

Jesus wept. Do you only read half the posts?

I specifically said it isn't ok to bitch, but his was the best analogy I could think of (better than an affair one anyway).

With that in mind, do you agree the person being bitched about feels less hurt and pain if they never find out about what was said about them, than if they did?

PS my hashtag was being ironic, the humour clearly bypassed you

[SmileEachDay]

I can’t vouch for the peer reviewed studies referenced in this, but I mentioned the nuance of language earlier...

Sweary people cleverer, says science

[UserX]

Gunpowder you started the hashtags-do you not even read your own posts? #itsliketryingtoarguewithatrumpsupporter #orabrexiter

I was WOWing at the idea that bitching behind someone’s back is ok, just because they’ll never know. Shows what kind of person you are. I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised— if you think swearing at toddlers is acceptable, anything goes.

[GunpowderGelatine]

And there are other posters saying they directly swear at their kids e.g. one called her son a 'dick'

One thing I've come across on MN, and on a few occasions IRL is that some people are always so offended or so horrified by any swearing in any context. Which is odd to me as, like I said before, I'm a sweary person (away from kids/in my head). I love a good swear and think it's good for the soul! I also think it's not about the word itself, but the sentiment behind it.

Example:

Playful banter with a teen son who shares your humour, calling him a dick is something you'll both laugh at (as the poster in question stated they did)

Calling a child a dick in a snappy way because they've spilled orange juice and you've just about had enough of their clumsiness, is very different.

Similarly if my DH is winding me up or poking fun at me, I might say "oh shut up you daft twat" playfully. No harm done.

Calling him a twat in an argument to purposefully hurt him, is different

Shouting "fuck off" to a toddlers face because you can't keep your temper is not acceptable.

Waiting until their back is turned and doing a quick v-sign because it makes you feel better for a moment, where NO ONE will see - no harm done.

I always thought his was universally understood about the nature of swearing but I have found that some people ALWAYS think the sentiment is offensive and insulting, they can't read the context whatsoever. I have very little time for people this stupid. I also have very little time for people who compare a muttered swear word- that no one else has heard, will ever hear, will not have consequences dragging on for weeks/months/year's and will not potentially cause a great deal of pain and split up a family - to having an affair FFS.

[SmileEachDay]

Gun
#becauseitmakesanonesensicaljudgeyputdowncool

[GunpowderGelatine]

What are yo WOWing at UserX I'm confused? #soconfused #whyweusinghashtagsonmumsnet

nostaples if I were you I’d leave it. You’re never going to convince these people, all you can do is hope that none of their children turn up in your class.

🤣🤣🤣🤣 that's the most twee insult I've ever read here

[SmileEachDay]

all you can do is hope that none of their children turn up in your class

Dunno why nostaples wouldn’t want my DC in her class - I mean, he’d rather be playing in a river or climbing a tree or getting really muddy than writing, but he adores reading and is ALL ABOUT THE SCIENCE!

[UserX]

nostaples if I were you I’d leave it. You’re never going to convince these people, all you can do is hope that none of their children turn up in your class.