I was walking to Sainsbury’s the other day, it’s just around the corner, and came across a mum, possibly a 2-3 year old in the stroller and their dog, suitably on a lead. The dog was whimpering a bit, nothing really. But then I heard the child from the pram say ‘shut up’ to the dog, then the mum turns and said, ‘yes, tell him to shut up!’.
When we were growing up there were 3 things we were not allowed to say as kids:
- Shut Up!
- I hate you!
- I’m going to kill you!
Now that my sister and I are safely in our forties, we do tease our mum and taunt her with ‘Shut Up, I hate you, and I’m going to kill you’ in unison. Luckily for us we’re too big to put over her knee but wouldn’t put it passed her to get the Lady Maker out (Wooden Spoon).
In my opinion, I find ‘shut up’ rude, offensive and insulting. I know at times I’m screaming it in my head but would never say it to another person. Well maybe I’ve been guilty of it on one or two occasions.
I really felt for the dog, but also dread to think how she speaks to her child when she’s not in public.
What words or expressions (remember this is a family blog) that you find offensive? What can we say instead?
