Usage of the words "heck" and "gosh".

[SoundOfGuns]

Now, bare with me as English isn't my 1st language, so maybe there's a hidden reason for it that I just might not know about.

Why say words like "heck" and "gosh"? I understand that you're trying to not say the real words because of respect or some other reason, but why not just say something different instead?

Like instead of heck yeah why not say "Oh yeah!" or "That's right!"? Instead of gosh why not say "Oh my!" or any other word really as some people like to use it to begin sentences like "Gosh, I love that car!"

It just feels..a bit silly. Like you're trying to NOT say those words, but you gotta make up a lighter version of the word so that you can say it anyway...?

...don't take this as an insult, but you got WAY to much time on your hands if you worry about that. Why do we say such things? Because someone said it and other people caught up on it till we did i guess. I don't know what language your first one is, but i am 100% sure that there are just as many word-cuttings or replacements in whatever tongue it may be. I know that there are plenty in mine for example. German has so many strange sayings and word-replacements, its beyond funny. Especially since we got a quadrillion of different accents as well, even tho few people from outside really know how many.

[Icathian]

I think that isn't an english exclusive trait. For example, in portuguese, one can say "carago" (usually if from the north of the country), "caraças" or "caramba" instead of the stronger "caralho" (a cursing word for penis; or a very bad place). The lighter versions of it lose the first meaning though, only meaning a bad place or simply used as an interjection.

Words have the strenght and value we give them. For some people, curse words are sort of a taboo, so the need for other words to convey the same emotions without sounding vulgar arose.

I understand intensity, like saying poop instead of shit, but I feel that heck and hell are a bit different, like a make-up powder made of taboo is over the words.

Also, saudações amigo tuga :P

[Wildtree]

what the heck is this?
You forgot to mention Friggen...

Synonym for "fucking"...... This is friggen hilarious.. This is fucking hilarious.

People just try to be polite I guess, and resort to words that are as close to the cussing, yet still are considered clean language.

[Azgraal]

Maybe it it because there is nothing smaller than a Portuguese penis, or there is no small penis in Portugal.... you make the choice!

They say words strike harder than swords. With those right there you might either get in serious trouble or hear a portuguese cheer, it all depends to whom you say them to :P

Also, saudações amigo tuga :P

Saudações cá do norte o/

[Deleted]

what the heck is this?
You forgot to mention Friggen...

Synonym for "fucking"...... This is friggen hilarious.. This is fucking hilarious.

People just try to be polite I guess, and resort to words that are as close to the cussing, yet still are considered clean language.

Friggen? What kind of frikkin/effin accent is that?

[Wildtree]

Friggen? What kind of frikkin/effin accent is that?

Friggin: About 2,710,000 results
Friggen: About 1,370,000 results
Effin: About 875,000 results
Frikkin: About 749,000 results

All the same meaning... The search results appear to reflect their common usage quite good I guess...

[Puupi]

Friggin: About 2,710,000 results
Friggen: About 1,370,000 results
Effin: About 875,000 results
Frikkin: About 749,000 results

All the same meaning... The search results appear to reflect their common usage quite good I guess...

Frak this.

[rayvio]

apparently in some parts of the US the word "hell" is considered a swear word and so they use the word "heck" as a replacement. "gosh" is just a mild exclamation of surprise

[Deleted]

apparently in some parts of the US the word "hell" is considered a swear word and so they use the word "heck" as a replacement. "gosh" is just a mild exclamation of surprise

Heck. Gosh. Geez.
Hello?
You know why it (or their equivalents) isn't used?

[Immitis]

"Gosh" and "heck" are more of an everyday-use type of words. Nobody,except in cartoons,says "Oh my!" anymore. Its just a personal preference,but a lot of people today use them. Though I admit,I do find "Gosh" a bit annoying.

you sure about that?

[Duridi]

When I say heck, I never intend it as hell. I say heck because I find "heck" to be fitting. It sounds good. We have the same thing in my language. I've chosen what words I like, which at the same time gives my sentences that extra "push" I feel they sometimes need.

Nobody,except in cartoons,says "Oh my!" anymore.

I do .

[DarkstarG]

It is the usual hypocritical way of using words to replace profane language, even though we actually are thinking the replaced profane word or even muttering it under our breath. We are basically all guilty of this either because people are trying to be polite or trying to be PC (Which I can't stand, PC can kiss my ass)

[Duridi]

It is the usual hypocritical way of using words to replace profane language, even though we actually are thinking the replaced profane word or even muttering it under our breath. We are basically all guilty of this either because people are trying to be polite or trying to be PC (Which I can't stand, PC can kiss my ass)

Actually, the "replacement words" are so built into the language by now, that many of us aren't thinking of the origin of it. Honestly, I didn't even know heck replaced hell. I've always known hell could replace heck, but I never knew heck actually came from hell. Heck is strong enough on it's own.

What I do know though, is that I have intentionally replaced the word Gud(God) in my own language with just "Gu" or "Guri". The reason for that is that religion gives a bad taste in my mouth, so saying the name of the main person just makes me aggressive inside.

Besides that, I just pick the words I like the sound of.

[OzoAndIndi]

Now, bare with me as English isn't my 1st language, so maybe there's a hidden reason for it that I just might not know about.

Why say words like "heck" and "gosh"? I understand that you're trying to not say the real words because of respect or some other reason, but why not just say something different instead?

Like instead of heck yeah why not say "Oh yeah!" or "That's right!"? Instead of gosh why not say "Oh my!" or any other word really as some people like to use it to begin sentences like "Gosh, I love that car!"

It just feels..a bit silly. Like you're trying to NOT say those words, but you gotta make up a lighter version of the word so that you can say it anyway...?

But, they're just equally as much of a word than any other word, so in that case why say anything at all then.

"Heck yeah," is kind of a more polite version of "Hell yeah." Adding the hell/heck in there is more expressive of feeling than simple "Oh yeah." And especially in writing where an "Oh yeah" can be taken more than one way.

The people who think heck and gosh sound silly tend to replace them with swear words that escalate the feeling, not go the reverse.

You want to sound silly, add "golly" to it. And maybe start talking like Ned Flanders in general.


Oh my golly gee wiz. Let me go find a poodle skirt and we'll go down to the corner diner and get milkshakes and play the jukebox.

[Felya]

It's the 7th commandment:

"You shall not take the name of the lord your God in vain, for the lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."

[Deleted]

It's the 7th commandment:

"You shall not take the name of the lord your God in vain, for the lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."

Exactly. It's worse than swearing (according to them).
But I'm sure that God wouldn't be too happy about workarounds they're using.

[Xargoth6634]

I've never understood it. I kind of snicker when I hear people use them instead of the real thing. Go big or go home.

[Immitis]

It's the 7th commandment:

"You shall not take the name of the lord your God in vain, for the lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."

but gods name is yahweh O-O

[Wildtree]

but gods name is yahweh O-O

or Jehova...

[Racthoh]

i say some variation of oh my goodness all the time what's the big deal.