Most of us live guarded, controlled, circumscribed lives. Not wanting to ‘offend’ others we watch what we say and do. We conform to norms set down long ago and remain strictly within guardrails and standards policed by a nebulous crowd called ‘they.’ 

  Only occasionally do these guardrails fall away. For instance when we are under stress and our cognitive faculties haven’t the time to process what is taking place. Then and mostly only then does something of what is really going on beneath the surface erupet. 

  “Shite, I meant to write ‘erupt!’”

  Or here in beloved Quebec they might have said “Cawlin’ de bin!”

  How we curse tells us something about what we hold sacred. For a brief instant we break a taboo with our outburst. 

  I’ve always found it fascinating how we buttoned down English in the city tend to go to the old tried and true scatological and sexual references. “Fuck, shit!” we exclaim. Whereas French Quebecers, saddled with a heavy Catholic religiosity until very recently, have naturally gravitated to the sacerdotal: “cawlin’” being the sacred chalice, “tabernack” the tabernacle, and “hostee” the body of Christ. 

  Interesting how in France, which dealt centuries ago with Church overreach, people feel no inclination towards skirting churchly taboos and prefer the simplicity of the Anglo-Saxon-like “merde,” (shit) and “putain!” (whore.)

  Freudian slips, whether inadvertent or not, also serve to expose something of our inner characters. 

  I once worked for a trucking company who’s owner drove around in a giant pickup truck with the words “Tig Bitties” stencilled to the rear window. His daughters hated having to borrow the vehicle. 

  Anyway, if you can figure that one out you are unquestionably a fart smeller…. 

  … I mean….

What’s your favourite go to imprecation and what would you say it reveals about yourself? Let’s have some fun with it at omphaloscafe@gmail.com