25 G-Rated Swears That Are Surprisingly Just as Satisfying

by Pam Moore September 21, 2017

When I was pregnant, I thought nine months would be plenty of time to clean up my language. I’ve always been a procrastinator, though. Five years and two children later, I still hadn’t gotten around to kicking the habit when one evening over dinner, our eldest suggested we have a “manners contest.” My heart swelled with pride. “What are the rules of the contest?” I asked. She looked at me, deadpan. “No elbows on the table. And no talking with your mouth full.” I shot my husband a how-cute-is-our-kid look just as she added one last rule. “Also, no saying ‘Goddamnit, this food is fucking gross.’”

I can’t see myself kicking my cursing habit for good. But I also can’t see myself not dying of shame were my child to bust out her unsavory vocabulary at the wrong time. To be clear, I think she’s well aware of the difference between the right time and the wrong time. I also think the universe gave the child I am supposed to have, which means I am pretty confident I’m always about an inch away from the dying-of-shame scenario.

So, if like me, you’re looking for some G-rated exclamations to replace the R-rated ones you’re used to, here are some fresh ideas you can use in your daily life. (Bonus: most came highly recommended from actual parents.)

When: It's 8 p.m. on a Sunday night and your kid asks you to take him to buy all the supplies for the science project that is due tomorrow. Try:

• Ballsagna
• I swear to John
• Are you effingham kidding me?
• Son of a motherless goat

When: You come back to bed after nursing the baby for the third time to find your partner right where you left him, sleeping soundly, despite your rabid, passive aggressive pillow fluffing. Try:

• Jackface
• Bull sugar
• Are you cussing kidding me
• Turdwaffle

When: You step on a Lego in your unshod foot (again). Try:

• Cheese and crackers
• Flapjacks
• God bless America
• Mr. Padinky
• Son of a monkey’s uncle

When: You drop a hot casserole dish as you're taking it out of the oven, creating an actual hot mess of cheese and glass on your kitchen floor and now there is nothing for dinner. Try:

• Brother trucker
• Cheese and rice
• Fire truck
• Fudgesicle
• Aw hamburgers!
• Flux capacitor

When: Your kid dumps all 32 ounces of your expensive shampoo into the tub because she "felt like a bubble bath." Try:

• Cheesus Christmas
• God love ya
• Sugar honey iced tea

When: Another parent cuts you off in the school pick up line, then sits in her car texting after her kids get out like there isn't a line of 100 cars waiting behind her. Try:

• Juice box
• Jackwagon
• Son of a biscuit eater

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