To think "bollocks" *is* a swearword inappropriate for children

[Mamagiraffe]

Having a bit of an argument with STBXH and I'd appreciate a reality check on whether or not I'm being unreasonable.

YABU- bollocks is a perfectly appropriate word to send in a meme to an 11 year old boy

YANBU- bollocks is an inappropriate word to send in a meme to an 11 year old boy

As a one off joke picture it's fine. If it was all day every day being said and texted then I'd agree it's encouraging swearing, but as a one off joke it's only funny because it's a bit unexpected in a new year's message. The joke wouldn't work at all without it.

By the end of September, it's common to overhear 'Fuck off, you fucking cunt' on the bus from all but the most timid 11 year old (they usually stop at Fuck). Using bollocks instead would be an expansion of vocabulary and slightly less jarring on the ears.

Not a problem. Same level as shit.

I always frame it as ..... what they would or wouldn't say in front of their teachers/grandparents type thing when it's one of the 'in between' with swear word type words iyswim. So I definitely think it's in appropriate.

Tricky I wouldn't use swearing as a gauge on parenting technique / capability / negativity / anything

For some people it's a form of every day language for others it's not in there vocab

It's just language and unless it's used aggressively I don't see the fucking issue

I would say that it's an ok word for an 11 year old to say when talking to their friends but not a word for a parent to use to a child or a child to use to a parent. Not one of the worst words but definitely sweary.

To slightly derail, I remember exclaiming, "Bollocks, Pollux!" at the dinner table when I was a bit older than that. My parents were very unimpressed.

I was a pretty innocent, nerdy kid and had no idea what the word meant. I'd read it in Punch (the magazine used to retell myths in comic strip form) and just liked the sound of it.

You are being ridiculous.

Freaky Fables!

(Read down, not across! How many more times?)

To address the OP - it's not something I would have done (my son still thought I Didn't Swear when he was 15) but in the context given I think I'd just raise an eyebrow.

Metaphorically. Can't do it literally (boo).

There are worse words 🤷‍♀️

Pretty sure I was watching bottom when I was 11, far worse things in the world than a few swears.

Not a big deal to send a funny meme to a secondary age child.

@merryhouse Yes! Freaky Fables! Thank you - I'd forgotten what they were called.

Nah, that wouldn't bother me. I took my kids to see Bottom at the theatre as they loved the TV programme and they were younger than 11.

I think "Happy New Year and all that bollocks" is actually a very good and descriptive way of articulating what so many of us feel about the utter bollocks that is New Year. I might adopt the phrase myself in time for December 31st 2025 onwards. 🤣🤣

In all seriousness though, this just wouldn't bother me at all, as long as he understands that there's a time and a place. You can't stop him hearing swear words or seeing them in writing, and "bollocks" is pretty mild really. Very satisfying though, and trips neatly off the tongue. I love a good "bollocks" myself. 🤣

It's only very mild. I think it's one of my favourites tbh.

He'll hear a lot worse at school.