Swearing in your mother tongue...

[broguemum]

This is just a rant really - no replies needed.

My DD (5 y.o) has picked up some swear words - uckinell and brollocks is how she pronounces them but they are clearly recognisable. She has picked these up from DH whose mother tongue is German but who won't swear in German BECAUSE IT IS TOO RUDE!!!! So he swears in English instead and has therefore by example taught my DD to swear in English. I'm not happy with her learning these words and discourage her from using them but what I am really peeved about is that everyone will think it is my fault she's learnt these words as I am the only one who speaks English with her. Grrr! I am really peeved about this.

A reply nonetheless:

My DSs has learnt some not-so-nice words in a different language from a child in nursery whose mother is not quite so restrained with her language, IYKWIM. That child is also the only one at nursery who speaks that language. It was quite funny to see the mum's face when she heard my children say those words!

In France (as in most countries apart from England if you think about it) instead of sticking two fingers up people stick up the middle finger and they call it "un doigt d'honneur". The other day DD (6) fell over roller blading and hurt her middle finger then explained to her best friend's mum that she had hurt her "doigt d'honneur". The woman was horrified! I couldn't stop laughing and explained to DD what the proper term was and that d d'h wasn't a nice thing to say. The thing is that before she had no idea and now she knows that she can shock people just by saying it...