To tell 20yo DS's friends about their language

[DetailMouse]

DS is gaming online in the dining room. No idea when he's not using headphones, he usually does, but it doesn't matter they're not disturbing me and I quite like to hear the banter.

DS isn't swearing but one of the friends is, a lot.

Would it be very terrible of me to to walk into the room and loudly shout "language Timothy". Which no one understands a certain age will get

Parents are supposed to be embarrassing, right?

I’d offer to set up a sweary jar just for him.

Don’t do that. He’s not in your house, he doesn’t know you can hear him, as far as he’s concerned he is just talking to his friends.

If his language is bothering you, tell your son to wear headphones.

I think the Language Timothy is light hearted enough to get away with. I use it sometimes, most people have no idea what I'm talking about, but it does curb the swearing somewhat.

I am nearly twice your son's age and I had to google that!

Just tell your son to wear headphones

What does it mean? My mum's always said it and I've never thought about it. Said in a weird stern/posh voice

Nah, walk in and tell him to put his bastard headphones on.

He won’t get the ‘Language Timothy’ reference. Just ask your son to tell him you can hear him.

I use that one to my dh - he’s South African so doesn’t get it

YABVU - he's not your kid, it'll embarrass your DS, he won't get the "joke". Get DS to wear headphones if it bothers you.

I'd have thought that was still a common phase. I get it I'm 30

Language Timothy was a catchphrase from an 80s sitcom. Timothy was a grown man molecoddled by his mother if I recall correctly.

I did do a faux shocked ‘I beg your pardon, Matthew!’ at my son’s friend when he was about 13 but much beyond that I doubt I’d get away with it.

Cringe - dont!

It doesn't bother me, I'm just after being silly with them.

Headphones are essential or no gaming. I would not be listening to language like that all day, no way.

Does your dc's friend know that he isn't wearing headphones and his mum is listening? It's the same as someone having your phone convo on loud speaker.

@Flexitarian

Language Timothy was a catchphrase from an 80s sitcom. Timothy was a grown man molecoddled by his mother if I recall correctly.

I did do a faux shocked ‘I beg your pardon, Matthew!’ at my son’s friend when he was about 13 but much beyond that I doubt I’d get away with it.

The sitcom was Sorry, with Ronnie Corbett. I still use Language, Timothy regularly! 😁

I use Language Timothy all the time! My children have misheard and shout Language Tiffany at me if they need to tell me off about my language.

If you don't like the language coming from his room, tell your son to use headphones, not some stranger to stop swearing!

YABU because he isn’t in your home and I’m guessing he thinks your DS has headphones on like everyone else, he doesn’t know you’re listening in to their conversation.

Language Timothy is still used in our house as is Up the Stairs to Bedfordshire.

I’m cringing so much at this. It wouldn’t be funny or embarrassing. You’d just look like a mad old bat.

My husband thinks doing stuff like this to 'embarrass the kids' is hilarious. It's not, it's just cringe.

Where does ‘up the stairs to Bedfordshire’ come from? We use it daily here!

I’ve misquoted. It’s actually Up The Wooden Hill to Bedfordshire.
It’s from the sitcom Sorry! And a Vera Lynn song.

Please don't OP.