To be so terribly, terribly cross?

[musicforsmorks]

In reality, I am asking is it being remotely unreasonable to suspect that hardly anyone uses this phrase in 'real life'?
It's all very well when one is perusing their Enid Blyton collection but I have honestly rarely come across it as a common element of social/familial dialogue (and I've been around a bit ).

Another one is 'Oh my goodness!', which, whilst having stood the test of time (unlike the poor, neglected cross), still doesn't crop up with regularity in my social circles or professional life very often.

Also interested in hearing other people's thoughts on certain phrases, and whether they are particular to MN, the written word, or just off with the fairies or whatnot.

My favourite MN regular is the did you mean to be so ruuuude?
Although, whilst frequently tempted, I have not yet had the pleasure of uttering it with any true gravitas in real life :(

I get so cross sometimes I'm as cross as two sticks

[quote belinda789]@Pucarbuile
I can’t stand the word “Horrid”
How about “Beastly” then?

e.g. "He was being beastly as usual"[/quote]
At least on a par. Both make me want to suck my face inside out. Mummy is similar.

Frankly I don't particularly care what words other people use (usual t&c apply) but they will never pass my lips.

@Pucarbuile goodness gracious, what is wrong with "Mummy"? I am a Mummy, my Mummy was a Mummy and so was hers. All of a sudden I feel terrible terribly perturbed. Fiddlesticks.

We could tell if our mum ever bashed her thumb banging a nail in the wall, as we could hear her shout 'Blood and Stomach Pills!' very loudly.

This was akin to swearing (she didn't swear, at least in front of us) and we knew it was serious and to keep a low profile for the next half hour.

See also: ''Can you get READY FOR SCHOOL I am not waiting here like Piffy on a rock bun!'' and other mysterious utterances. Also ''For crying out loud! Can you two stop fighting in the back there?'' (car journey favourite that one)

I firmly blame Irish ancestors, but have to say we had lots of colourful language in our house. Going to a Catholic Primary we were pulled up for saying Jesus or Oh God, that's taking the Lord's name in vain don't you know?

May explain why my own favourite naughty/substitute for swearing phrase is 'Oh Christ on a Bike!' Just love the image, and the reassuring thought that the son of god might be coming to aid me on a wobbly push bike is a balm to all vexation.

I did used to say Goodness Gracious to DS when he was a toddler, with stronger swear words under my breath. He did learn Bloody Hell Fire though, at a youngish age. Could have been worse.

Nowt wrong with 'Mummy' unless it carries on being her name when you - her children - are beyond childhood, even worse into middle age and still saying it. Then it feels a bit sickly for both parties.

@Joolsin

I love Hell's Bells. My Dad used to say that, along with "Damn and Blast", "Damnation" and if he was terribly cross (!), "Buggeration".

Yes! I knew there were some more mum used to shout, and here they are.

I use cross a lot. With DDs when they fuck me off. Not terribly, terribly just really, really …

@KisstheTeapot14 my Mummy died in my arms when she was just 84. I could never call her anything else. I am proud my adult children choose to call me Mummy. They call their father Daddy. Its so sweet and friendly, so loving. My sister called Mummy "Mother" and it was vindictive and full of hate. My narcissistic sister never saw what my DM had done for her, all that she had given up in order to make our lives happy. I miss my DM so much, even after 6 years it hurts and I would give anything for a time machine to bring her back.

I am very guilty of having an Enid Blyton turn of phrase ….. when my youngest son (he was home educated at this age) was playing with his friend and they thought they’d broken my eldest sons play station - his friend said she’s (meaning me) is really going to bollock us ….. Matt (aged about 7) ohh yes she will be very cross about it !!!

My job these days includes lots of phoning to drivers who inevitable relay stories of huge disappointment as to why the items haven’t been delivered and my colleagues count how many times I will reply ‘oh crikey’ /‘very disappointing’ etc etc 😂😂.

My eldest son aged about 22 at the time objected to me saying why don’t you changeout of your suit (he was a newly qualified law graduate) and put on your play clothes (I meant his casual tracksuit 😂)

If we are thinking about expetives my DF had levels. "oh, bottles" - dropped something, "oh bottoms" - dropped something and it broke. "oh buggar" - dropped something it broke and cut his toe....

🙋‍♀️yup! Primary teacher...often 'very cross!' With a fair few 'oh my goodness!'chucked in throughout the day too 🤣

(I don't think I'm ever 'terribly, terribly cross' though...that would have to be an extreme sort of day!)

[quote myfaceismyown]@Pucarbuile goodness gracious, what is wrong with "Mummy"? I am a Mummy, my Mummy was a Mummy and so was hers. All of a sudden I feel terrible terribly perturbed. Fiddlesticks.[/quote]
Fair enough, I'm not. I a Mum or a Mam or a Mamma. My mum is Mum, and Mammy before that. Like I said, others can use whatever words they like, I just won't ever use this one in reference to myself.

@allPucarbuile Mammy? like some 1950s American squeezy doll. Ok. Well done you. I did not choose my nomenclature but am really happy that my adult DCS use the term with affection. Your offspring may call you whatever they wish. Congrats.

Myfaceismyown pucarbuile is Irish. We say mammy here!

@allJellyfishjean I am just hurting as I miss my dear departed Mummy so much and am proud to have the same title. Really it does not matter what one is called provided your DCs use it with love and affection.

@myfaceismyown I am so very sorry for your loss. Fair point about names, I'm not going to let my own personal opinion on family names surpass what was clearly a very loving relationship. At the end of the day if people love each other and care about each other that is the single most important thing, as we see every day on Mumsnet and in RL.

@myfaceismyown I'm sorry for your loss. However, with the best will in the world, me calling my mum "Mummy" would be as insulting to her as it seems to offend you that I don't.

And can you please explain what you mean by Mammy? like some 1950s American squeezy doll.?

@Jellyfishjean

Myfaceismyown pucarbuile is Irish. We say mammy here!

I have a (very good) Irish cook book full of references to how Mummy made jam and titles like Mummy’s soda bread or whatever. What is going on? Is it a class thing or regional in Ireland.

I'm guessing that's a Darina Allen book? I'm sure I've heard her use Mummy. In my experience both are widely used. Mammy is probably more likely outside of Dublin, but Mam is very Dub. Mom (apparently from the Irish Mham rather than a US import) is commonly heard in Munster. And in other parts you'll hear a mid Atlantic Mom that has been imported. It's a very mixed bag!

@allPucarbuile how would you feel if the name that you have, and the one you called your own DM is so abhorrent that it makes someone want to suck their face inside out??? It is extremely hurtful and insulting. As I have said previously, it does not matter what one is called provided your DCs use it with love and affection. For you Mammy is the norm, and I have heard vintage dolls say Mammy when squeezed, which is cute. For me Mummy is the norm. I am not being feisty about this, just disheartened.

@myfaceismyown my own given name, chosen for me by parents who love me, has been derided on baby name threads. "Mammy" is even more regularly torn to shreds by posters who mock and denigrate those from parts of the UK and elsewhere who use it. Frankly I can't be arsed what strangers on the internet think any more.

@Pucarbuile
Thanks, yes it’s by Darina Allen (if you’re still there).

[quote BoredBoredBoredB]@Pucarbuile
Thanks, yes it’s by Darina Allen (if you’re still there).[/quote]
she has some great recipes

@allPucarbuile if it makes you feel any better my middle name is my DMs and it is rather odd to say the least. At school I was ridiculed because of it, but now my DM has passed I am proud of it. People can be cruel, and it is easy to do to strangers on the internet. We must not let that in. We are all mothers here and daughters too. Be proud of your name. Love your parents and your children. Incidentally my father served in Northern Ireland when subscriptions were still in place after after WW2. His wish was to see Ireland for his 70th. My DH and I took all the family to the Castle in Castletownsend for an incredible holiday. DF said he wanted to see Ireland, DM said she had never stayed in a castle, I am sure you get the picture) We "did the ROK" amongst many other wonderful trips, and I am so happy my DCs got to see the incredible, breath taking, beautiful scenery. Everyone we met was lovely, particularly the ladies in a local pub who made us taste all their whiskeys! When the restrictions are finally over we will be back. Cork and Kerry, just a starting point.

Dm says "oh rats!" "Fish hooks and rats tails" and my favorite "oh fiddlesticks" . DD8 adores Enid's St Claire's series and has revived "I say!".