The "F" Bomb

[CRLionDawg]

Now that is some sensible advice. Certainly difficult and disciplined but admirable.

[foghorn]

You're exactly right, Analyst. My use of this word is rooted directly to my own personal weakness. A friend of mine told me this year he gave up using the F-bomb for Lent. I told him that didn't seem like much of a sacrifice. He said it was the hardest thing he had ever done. Go figure.

[LionPride]

You're exactly right, Analyst. My use of this word is rooted directly to my own personal weakness. A friend of mine told me this year he gave up using the F-bomb for Lent. I told him that didn't seem like much of a sacrifice. He said it was the hardest thing he had ever done. Go figure.

Too often, Catholics set themselves up for a failure when sacrificing for Lent (I'm talking from experience). Oftentimes we think we can change our entire lifestyle for the better, but then end up setting goals that are extremely difficult to attain. I think your friend was wise to start with that, and once he's successful, to keep refraining from that once lent is over. Then, maybe move to stop cussing altogether. I'm not saying we shouldn't go for the "gusto", but if it's done in smaller steps, the chance for overall success is much greater. And Lent isn't always about "giving up" something. It can be to do something more in our lives, like prayer, visiting more with family, reading the Bible more, etc.

Lent is a reminder for ALL of us of sacrifices we should make throughout the entire year.

[Anonymous]

This is somewhat related, and Please, no offense is intended. Maybe some of you can find the humor in it or realize its possible historical significance. It came to me several months ago and I thought it amusing.

"The Finger"

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger, it would be impossible to draw back the renowned English longbows and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous weapon was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing back the longbow was known as "plucking the yew", (or, pluckyew).

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, "See, we can still pluck yew!" "PLUCK YEW!" Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a LABIODENTAL FRICATIVE "F", and thus the words often used in conjunction with the infamous "one-finger-salute"!

It is also because of the Pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird".

-And yew thought yew knew everything.

[CoachK]

I have not used that word in years. It is not until you stop using vulgar language that you realize truly how tasteless they are. When I hear these words come out of someone's mouth, it turns me off to that person ans I just drop my head in disgust and shut them out. But that's is just me, A father of a 14 year old and a 12 year old.

[CRLionDawg]

Actually the F Bomb is an acronym. for unlawful carnal knowledge. I forget the whole story but it was included in some lawsuit back in the 50s.

[foghorn]

By my own estimation I've reduced my personal use of the F-Bomb by 59 per cent, making the world a better, more dulcent sounding place.