Monday, April 1, 2013

A is for Applesauce




I don’t like to curse. I do. But I don’t like it at all so I try my hardest not to. Back when I taught I made a point, despite all of the cussing from the students around me, despite being inundated with the Big Bad Seven curses near daily, to not use curse words.
                              
But I knew, even back then, that it isn’t the word itself that is bad, it is the connotation – the meaning that we give the word when we use it – that matters. That’s why, when going to a foreign country, one has to really think about their words before they use them.

I use the phrase “Boogersnot and Applesauce” all the time. Granted, I mean it as a curse. When asked by my students why I would say this, I told them elusively, that the meaning behind a word is just as important as the definition. And when they stared at me blankly, I would tell them to go look up “connotation” in their notes. Those that did would reward me with a sly smile and a nod.

Words are that powerful.

Today’s slang term is actually one I used a lot even though I didn’t know it was slang:

Applesauce, an interjection from the 1920s meaning “nonsense.”

As in: “Arlee Bird! Are you announcing that an angry armada of aardvarks attacked your abode and averted you from accomplishing the arithmetic assignment?  Applesauce!

As an aside, an ample acknowledgement of appreciation to the architect of April's A to Z adventure, Arlee Bird!

This post has been brought to you by the Letter A and the fine folks at Blogging A to Z. And by the number 19. Check out more A to Z blogs here!

 

64 comments:

  1. Personally, I like to use "fudging wallops" as a mock swear. It rolls off the tongue so nicely.

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  2. “Boogersnot and Applesauce” that indeed sound much nicer than all Digi's (my son) current torrent new found curse words. At 13, everything that is horrid seems to be very attractive to him. I've been encouraging him to find replacement words for all his drastic new found words. Good one Heather and thank you.

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    1. It must be a teen thing because I cursed like a sailor when I was a teen - at school at least. At home I was still afraid of getting my mouth washed out with soap!

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  3. Boogersnot..now that's not something I've ever heard before. lol

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    1. I'm not even sure why I started using it. Probably because it just sounds plain gross!

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  4. Love it!
    My usuals are... 'RATS' and 'Flibbertygiblets' but the meaning behind them is the same as any foul word! :D

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    1. Ever since Ramona came out my youngest likes saying "Guts!"

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  5. In grade school of my friends picked up on the word HEMOGLOBIN when we covered the circulatory system in health class. He liked the word so much, it became his goto curse word.

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    1. I recall a phase when I would use "dissected owl pellet" or "goat fetus" in high school and I'm pretty sure that coincided with a science class! Hemoglobin sounds vile! I like it!

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  6. Thanks,nice start be back to tomorrow for more.

    Came by from Tales of the Reborn Crafter http://talesofthereborncrafter.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I'll be glad to have you back!

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  7. Your point is well made. It's like when my mom would condemn me for cursing then say some euphemistic substitute (like applesauce) and it wasn't supposed to mean the same thing? Good start to the challenge.

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    1. Exactly. That's why, although they don't, I don't make a big deal out my kids cursing. I tell them there are better words but the meaning behind it will be the same.

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  8. Good luck with the challenge! I like the Sesame Street feel at the ending...;~) I participated last year and had a blast!

    Donna L Martin
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks! I thought about Sesame Street too when I did that. The number (19) is mine in the A to Z sign up list. I plan to pick a different number each day from the list.

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  9. I use 'sugar' but applesauce sounds cooler ^_^

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    1. I can't use sugar since I call my girls "sugar" all the time, but I do use "banana" on occasion...

      I just realized that I use fruit a lot as curses. Weird.

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  10. 'Bloody hell' is a favourite of mine. Firstly because it's terribly English, and secondly because I don't think of it as really cursing.

    (Grover at Inane Ramblings)

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    1. I like "wanker" as my go to English curse because it is so fun to say!

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  11. I thought for a minute there you were going to:
    Accomplish authoring an all “A” analogy about applesauce.
    Good job, one of the better challenge posts I'm looking forward to more.

    Images by Bil

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    1. Thanks! What nice praise to start off the challenge! I'm glad to have you along!

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  12. I found you via A-Z... Good points! I also don't like to curse and use a lot of replacements, but have often thought "I still mean the same thing, don't I?"

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  13. After a spot of bother in primary school (involving the phrase Blood Hell) my Dad suggested I pick a biscuit type word GARRIBALDI. I loved it. It became my safe-in-public-places curse - No more lines. No more detentions - just a haunting sensation like hunger ;)

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    1. I think I would snicker every time I used that! It's makes me grinning just saying in my head!

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  14. Very good point! It all does just mean the same thing in the end, doesn't it?

    Following via the A to Z!

    Dana at The Daily Dose

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  15. Very funny! Good idea and a great start. Good luck! :)

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    1. Mmm. Pie! That's a good one! And it has an added benefit of making you feel better because, honestly, who doesn't love pie?

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  17. I am a middle school teacher and I think applesauce will be my new word! Thanks!

    Jana @ A Novel Reality

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    1. It's a perfect fit for middle school. My students thought I was crazy when I used it!

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  18. Learn something everyday! Good luck with the challenge.

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  19. Wow, I had no clue about applesauce. It may come into my vocab more often.

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    1. Just wait til you see some of the upcoming words!

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  20. I had no idea about the meaning from the '20's.

    I've worked in a school district, and in kindergarten when the teacher wanted the kids to sit she'd say "criss-cross applesauce." And they would actually listen. LOL

    Congrats on the job.

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    1. I still say criss-cross applesauce! I have no idea why! I barely ever sit on the floor nowadays - far too hard!

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  21. Interesting! I had no idea the word was ever used in such a fashion!

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    1. Me either which is why I thought it was neat since I had already been using it!

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  22. That's fascinating! Love learning new stuff.

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  23. Applesauce is a perfect expletive! I'm adding it to my arsenal of explosive words. Thanks.

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  24. I learned a new word today! dropping by from AtoZ

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  25. Applesauce...I'm adding it to my list! Cursing was a terrible habit to break after 8 years in the Army. Who am I kidding? I haven't completely stopped...lol.

    Charlie @ The Semi-Retired Gamer

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    1. I found that after I left teaching I swore more - maybe the influence of being around all the cursing, but I certainly didn't like it and I try hard not to. I can't imagine how hard it you must have had it!

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  26. I got into a bad habit of cursing all the time. I gave it up for Lent. I plan on writing about it for C, so I won't go into details here.

    But that's basically genius, to change it to such innocent sounding words instead of words with the same meanings.

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  27. That's great. I agree completely, if you are using an innocent word with the intention of cursing, it is what it is :) I worked in a daycare, and then was a nanny for 12 years, so I definitely avoided cursing for a long time, and now, to be honest, I still feel a little guilty when I do it :)

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    1. I still try to stop myself when my parents are around. Sometimes I slip, but for the most part I'm good. My sister yelled at me once for "not be able to curse properly."

      But like I said if the intention is a curse then the word shouldn't matter...although I seem to think Mythbusters might have put that one to the test a while back.

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  28. In my opinion, its better to say something to let the anger come out rather than to sit and simmer. I guess conservative moderation is the key?

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    1. True. I guess it's just a matter of...properness? I mean busting out with a string of curses at an interview or board meeting probably wouldn't go over too well, but stubbing your toe in the middle of the night? Now that warrants some major f-bombs!

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  29. I have a friend that uses sugar honey iced tea... I always yell the curse after she says it. You know... Cuz I'm a good friend!

    Hugs!

    Valerie

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    1. I've always thought that it was silly to use that. But then again, I'm the one shouting Boogersnot and Applesauce so I guess I can't say too much! :)

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  30. Love the extra lesson your students got! Following from the A to Z Challenge. And I absolutely LOVE "brought to you by the letter A...". I wish I had thought of that too!

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  31. I, on the other hand, LOVE to say bad words. It just makes me feel a lot better in times of frustration or whatever. :)

    Applesauce!

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