Mom's the one in the middle.
did.
The words"butt" and"shut up" were definitely NOT acceptable words in our household, much less the "s" word, the "d" word, the "c" word (either) or the "f" word ... which BTW, I'd never even heard until well into my adult life!
However... if the word "pithy" would come up in a conversation,
Mom would get this little twinkle in her eye, and she would ALWAYS ... like on autopilot ... say ...
"Pithy ... like somebody PITHED on it!"
Without fail, hearty laugher always followed, no matter what crowd we were in.
(BTW ... "Tinkle" was the ONLY proper word allowed in our house for numero uno. Any other word was just ... uncouth!)
Of course being the loving daughter and wanting to be just like my witty mom, I would unknowingly say the same phrase when I was out with friends and their families.
though it would ALWAYS get a laugh!
It's unbelievable, (What a sheltered life I lead!) ... but it wasn't until my LATE 20's did I realize just what I was really saying! Sad. Sad. Sad.
Such a dorkus I was and ... still am!
Thanks, Mom, for letting me live such a protected life, but giving me a part of your edgy sense of humor!
I'm pretty sure I passed it on ...
14 comments:
I'm so sorry for teaching you all those off color words. But welcome to the real world.
Your totally off color friend
Frank
Dear OCF,
You were a bit of a shock when I met you ...
But for some reason you grew on me!!!!!!!!!!
(I'll have to tell you about my grandma some time!)
Oh, I love this story! Your mother was beautiful! She could have been a movie star! Those legs! That smile!
Pithy! lol
As proper as your mom was, she sure was a doll and had a little of the flirtatious, I love how you showed us that.
I am so like you CottageGirl. We had similar restrictions in our Protestant household. I'm a dufus and learning about the shady things of life a little late. That is a very cute phrase, I love it. We were just talking about old comedy records we listened to - very old - at the cottage and our parents could accept the slightly off color language as long as it was couched like that phrase in witty language.
Thanks, Susan!
Mom always was gorgeous, inside and out.
Glad you got a chuckle!
Dear Ruth,
We do have similar backgrounds. I was so naive that I didn't even know what naive was!
I love those old radio shows with the double entendre ... similar to movies like Shrek now-a-days. Innocent enough for the kiddies, but a little extra humor for the grown-ups.
She was something else, your mama. I just got done looking at some pics of her and B$. Precious.
Hey C-Dub,
She absolutely adored B$.
And yes, she was something else!!
Deb I am so thankful I got to be around your mom, even though it was only for a few years. She will always be in my memories as a gracious, loving, kind lady. Like mother, like daughter.
If anyone I knew used the word pithy I would then steal your phrase :)
And I love your moms clothes.. you wouldn't by any chance still have them and want to ship them to me.. would you? I would wear that jacket right now... in 90 degree weather.
Dearest Debbie,
You are so sweet to remember Mom in such a loving way. She also thought the world of you and your beautiful daughter as well as that grandson of ours!
Dear Sweet Dawn,
I would be honored if you ever said Mom's funny little phrase!!
Wasn't that a neat suit she had on? The picture of
mom crossing her legs was taken on her honeymoon in Chicago at the art museum. If I still had it -- i'd ship it to you!!
I came to you from Stickhorse Cowgirls and have really enjoyed what I've read here. I was taught to be very careful about my terminology too ... babies "dirtied" their pants, Mama said "Sugar!" as her swear word, and I just don't remember even HAVING a word for passing gas -- I guess we just made a face!
Especially enjoyed this post about your mom.
Sandra
Dear Sandra,
So nice of you to drop by!
Ha! Things sure have changed!
The act of passing gas was just ignored in our household ... though every once in a while the phrase "pass wind" was heard! I blush to think of it!!!!! ;-0
Again, thanks for stopping by!
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