Happy Birthday Poppy!

[Francis]

Nigel wrote

Drat and Blast!

Language, Nigel, language. (shouldn't it be damn and blast!).

[Poppy]

Thanks, John, number 6, Farwa, Francis, Rebecca, Courtenay, and Nigel!

We went to see that in London, and I have never been so scared

Ooh - really?! I can't wait to go and see it: I really love the film. Two of my relatives, who's birthdays are within the next ten days - are also getting tickets bought for them, so I will be going with them. I hope we wont be too scared!

...at the moment I am watching a blizzard descend!

It's special to have snow on your birthday as it feels so magical. No snow here today, but I've had snow on my birthday just a few times over the years.

It was only visible on the ground for about ten minutes, unfortunately, but it was lovely whilst it lasted! We due some more showers overnight, though.

(That is a lovely picture, Courtenay, thanks!!)

[Anita Bensoussane]

Nigel wrote

Drat and Blast!

Language, Nigel, language. (shouldn't it be damn and blast!).

Nigel was probably quailing at the thought of being whacked by my moderator stick!

Seriously, I've had a few complaints from time to time about even the mildest bad language on the forums, so I have been known to change the above word to "darn" (though I've no doubt missed a few, because such words have become so prevalent these days that they can go unnoticed). As you were asking a question rather than cursing, Francis, I think this one should be left.

[Moonraker]

I was certainly not allowed to say damn as a child. My mother was very anti-swearing. However, it isn't only mild swearing that can offend, blasphemy can also be offensive to some. Sayings such as OMG (Oh, my God) can be seen by some to be far more offensive that a mild word such as damn.

We talk about having free speech, but we don't really. Vince Cable, on BBC Question Time, said we only have free speech within the law. He was dead right, there - as Carol Thatcher found out when she likened a white man's hairstyle to a golliwog's Adrian Chiles reported her and she got into trouble over the remark. It wasn't even said on air!

[Lucy-Ann]

Happy Birthday to Anita, Poppy & Chrissie. It was very nice to read about your wonderful day!

[Spitfire]

Belated Birthday wishes, Poppy. It sounds as though you had a lovely day with great presents

Gorgeous picture, Lucy-Ann!

[Poppy]

Thank you, Lucy-Ann and Spitfire!

I agree - that picture is gorgeous, Lucy-Ann!

[Farwa]

Seriously, I've had a few complaints from time to time about even the mildest bad language on the forums, so I have been known to change the above word to "darn" (though I've no doubt missed a few, because such words have become so prevalent these days that they can go unnoticed).

Even darn is a mild swear word, Anita, so perhaps it would be better to change it to 'drat' instead?

[Anita Bensoussane]

"Darn" is a substitute for the original word, just as "golly" and "gosh" are substitutes for "God" as a swear word.

The card is lovely, Lucy-Ann!

[Chrissie777]

I was certainly not allowed to say damn as a child. My mother was very anti-swearing. However, it isn't only mild swearing that can offend, blasphemy can also be offensive to some. Sayings such as OMG (Oh, my God) can be seen by some to be far more offensive that a mild word such as damn.

I apologize, Nigel, I will try to stop using OMG. It's VERY common among American women, especially the younger women. And if you hear it at your in-laws and on TV all the time, it finally becomes part of your own way of talking.

BTW Americans seem to be much more religious than Europeans and tend to go to church every Sunday like my Catholic sister-in-law (my favorite of 5 sister-s-in-law, 3 of them are André's younger sisters and two are the wives of his two brothers)). And she's actually the one who says OMG over and over on the phone when we talk .
I don't try to excuse it, just to explain it. Over here it does not seem to be considered blasphemy. But way back in Germany when I was brought up Lutheran, I was taught at church's Sunday school to not use God's name without a reason.
So if you experience other people saying OMG at work, in the stores, at the library or your in-laws all the time, it just becomes a (bad) habit.
Sorry for that.

[Francis]

Lovely Enid Blyton birthday card - why don't they sell them nowadays? Sorry about the 'mild' swear word, Anita
- I seem to remember it from a William story about the perfect child who mouthed it on William's say so and caused a scandal! Hope it didn't cause offence. I hope you had a lovely day, Poppy!

[Dick Kirrin]

Belated Happy Birthday, Poppy. Hope you enjoyed your special day.

Cheers Dick Kirrin

[Poppy]

I hope you had a lovely day, Poppy!

Belated Happy Birthday, Poppy. Hope you enjoyed your special day.

Thanks, Francis and Dick Kirrin! I had a lovely day, thank you.

[Jack400]

Yes, happy birthday Poppy. And well done with "The Marsh of Adventure"-it's great.

[Poppy]

Thanks Jack: I'm so glad you like The Marsh of Adventure!