Yes, I said it.. well not really.. .. (Speak no evil) The conversation today is VERY REAL so buckle up…. (I might need a pack of Orbit gum when I’m through lol)
Life is a classroom and one thing I’ve come to realize is that though I’m not off this world, I’m in it. Now lets somethings out of the way. Firstly, this is not a justification to curse or to use the words we are about to explore to disrespect people. Secondly, this is my point of view, not gospel (well it can’t be with these words). We’ve gotten that out of the way, so let’s go…
What’s up with all these curse words (badwud, bad words, expletives)? A confession before I begin, I am no saint, I have used a couple (and repented). But ever stopped to ask where they came from, whats the really meaning behind them?…. I had an experience with some students of a particular high school last week on my from school.
I was sitting in a taxi with these students (I being the only adult in the car) and l overheard a conversation they were having about clothes they were planning to wear at a partu. In their discussions one of the girls suggested a particular item of clothing and her friend responded “No sah, mi naa wear dat a bloodc***t”
All four girls began to laugh and almost immediately there was a hushed silence. They remembered I was present. One of the girls said to me apologetically “sorry miss never mean fi cuss it”. I admired their respect and had the decency to apologize, but i want to test them a little so I engaged them in a little class session. I asked the girl, “why did you use that word?’ Looking at me a little confused she replied “I doh know miss” My next question “Where does the word you just used come from?”… Further confusion as they whispered among themselves. So right there and there I took them to school.
Jamaican people like style, slangs, jargon etc. but sometimes we pick up things and don’t even know the origins (Like wearing the pants below the waist-coming from prison and the greeting with the thumb most guys do actually mean ‘meet me in the bathroom’ in prison). Words, like symbols have origins and meanings and we use them so loosely without knowing things about them.. They are used derogatorily but lets go to school with these curse words (The three main ones used)…..
1. Bloodc****t/Bomboc****t – Actually the African term Blood cloth (piece of cloth used when women had their menses…long before Always and Stayfree). Bombo (the bottom/butt). Bombo Cloth (piece of cloth used to wash that area of the body).
2. P****y – English terminology used for a cat.
3. F*****g – The word is actually spelt “Phucking” and its a mechanical term that refers to a motion in the engine of a car. It occurs in the cylinder Block has an up and down quick movement between the piston and connecting rod. (the guys affirm this).
Those girls actually learnt something. It wasn’t a lesson to give them access to use it more often but to know the actual meanings and to see how derogatory and demeaning they are to use, while pointing out it was no way to speak as young ladies.
It never a good thing to curse but ignorance is damaging.. Its always good to at least know…
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