I wrote a while back about David Foster and his gratuitous use of “F-bombs” in his memoir. At the time I indicated I had thoughts on people who have this propensity and would comment soon. But I quickly lost my mojo and didn’t follow through.
Well I got my mojo back. I took the family to see Nickelback, the popular Canadian rock group, last Friday night and the “F-bombs” were flying. The crowd erupted in a veritable frenzy every time Chad Kroeger (lead singer and Laurie’s musical crush) spake the sacred word. Believe me, it was early and often.
There must be serious power in that word. I remember hearing it for the first time when I was about 4 years old. I asked my mother what it meant and she smacked me. Pretty powerful.
So I began to wonder how much more powerful some of the all time great communicators could have been with a few strategic “F-bombs”:
“The “F’n” British are coming!”
—Paul Revere
“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this “F’n” wall!”
—President Ronald Reagan
“Speak softly and carry a big “F’n” stick; you will go far.”
—President Theodore Roosevelt
Okay. I don’t believe it would have made any of these moments any more historic. Nor does it make any movie more watchable (save maybe Die Hard: “Yippe-ki-yay Hanz!” doesn’t quite have the impact), any novel more readable, any rock star more famous, any stand-up comedian more funny, any golf shot fly straighter or any casual conversation more enjoyable.
So do all your friends and family a favor and remove the word from your repertoire. And if you just can’t seem to help yourself, call me and I’ll send mom over.
Cheers!
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