We are all probably familiar with the children's song that has a verse which says “oh, be careful little mouth what you say”. You may even know the following verses from the heart and pen of David and inspiration of God. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Ps. 19:14) I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. (Ps. 39:1) Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (Ps. 141:3)
We may try our best to watch what we say. Most of us do a good job of it too I might add. Yet, try as we might how many of us are guilty of euphemisms? What is a euphemism? A euphemism is the use of a word or phrase to avoid saying another word or phrase that may be unpleasant or offensive, or the word or phrase used. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Most of us would believe to be innocent of speaking any euphemisms, yet I have came up with a list of words that some of us use that if we really knew where it came from we would presumably refrain from using these words.
I encourage you to look at the list of words believe and see if any of these are in your vocabulary and mediate on the verses above and determine what you need to concerning the words of your mouth.
- Golly – A euphemistic substitute for God. (Webster's)
- Heck – Slang, A euphemism for hell. (Webster's)
- Darn – It means damn. (Funk and Wagnel's)
- What the deuce – Really means, what the devil. (Webster's)
- Gee – Euphemistic contraction of Jesus (Webster's)
- Gee Whiz – short for Jesus (Webster's)
- Jeepers – Euphemism of God, used as a mild substitute for God. (Webster's)
- Egad - [Origin: 1665–75; euphemistic alter. of oh God!] (Dictionary.com Unabridged)
- Dickens – devil; deuce (Dictionary.com Unabridged)
- For Goodness' Sake - Usage notes: used for emphasis and often used instead of the more offensive idioms for God's sake and for Christ's sake. (Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms)
- Zounds - euphemism for God's wounds. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
How many of these words have you employed? In it's basic sense it is nothing less that a milder form of cussing. Many people use these word's that some refer to as a “parlor form of cussing” and think nothing of it. Might you be one? Such words should be excluded from anyone who professes to be a follower of Christ. Remember the words Paul wrote to the Colossians - Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Col. 4:6) Can our speech be graceful if we use such words? As you meditate on these words I will close with the following verse for further mediation.
Philipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
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