I Need Creative Words to Use in Place of Curse/bad Words!

Updated on June 22, 2011
A.G. asks from Albuquerque, NM
48 answers

So I curse a lot. A lot more than I should. I need some creative words to use in place of the "bad"words. I started using flip flop for the f word. Its silly I know but I would much rather my kids say what the flip-flop instead of what the F**k. We all know that kids are like parrots & repeat a lot of what they hear. I figure if I start working on changing my language now by the time my kids are talking it will be habit for me not to curse as much.
I know the usual substitutes like darn/dang & heck but anyone use anything more silly/fun/creative? I would love to hear them!

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So What Happened?

Ha-ha you moms are hilarious! I love all these terms. I suspect they will all get a lot of use. I work for an electrical contractor and the best part would be if I could get these guys to start using these words instead of the "bad" words. Lol I can just picture some of these manly men that I work with yelling Cupcake or tarter sauce instead of the f word.... Thanks again

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C.J.

answers from Lancaster on

"Blast!" It is both from Little Women AND Star Wars, so it pleases everyone! lol

We also use phooey, as well as "shirts and ties!". :)

I, personally, don't like the "substitute" words, because you still MEAN that word, like "darn" or "dang".

4 moms found this helpful
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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

Tartar Sauce (my son says this all the time from sponge bob and I just can't stop laughing!!)
Peas and carrots
Smelly Sweat Socks
Stink
Good Gravy
Oh you son of a jackal (aladdin- lol)

4 moms found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Fudge - F or Fudgesicles (for more drama!)
For the love of all things (insert fav color here) when you want to say "For the love of G-d"
Jiminey Cricket!
Son of a Biscuit eating Mamma vs Son of a B
Those are all I can think of right now.

3 moms found this helpful

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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

i love the show firefly
they swear in chinese!! its so funny, mostly because i cant understand it, im sure if i could i would be annoyed lol!

also, (im obviously a huge nerd now so here goes) on the show battlestar galactica they say "frack" instead of the f word.

my brother was a potty mouth but my mom would skin ou rhides if we swore so he always said weird things like "meatball" or "chuck norris"
sometimes i say "flippity doo da!"
or i end up mumbling

7 moms found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

Good work, Mom!
I like to use things that don't sound anything like the word I'm placing so they don't think of the real word, just for the sake of habit building. Instead of saying "What the _____" I'll say "What in the _______" and then it's even more innocent, like "What in the Wide World of Sports? (Blazing Saddles) or What in the Watermelon Factory? (My kids are super young so I have the luxury of everything sounding funny to them). Or even just What in the World? Or Holy Hamburgers...whatever. It's also a good chance to teach deep thinking and creativity for when they're older to use more sophisticated insults for writing skills etc...My 5 year old has called my 3 year old a "diabolical cretin" before, and an "imbecile" and a "lowlife"..and he has called her "insufferable" Sure, it's not that nice, but it beats "poopy head".

6 moms found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

Son of biscuit
Biscuit Eater
Tarter Sauce
Dag Nambit~~My favorite!
Frick N' Frack
Holy Hannah
Shnikes
Holy Bajesus
Jack Daniels
Lilly Locks
Crud!
Little Lolita (in place of the B word)
Thanks to my husband, I find myself growling a lot more instead of cussing...The Man growls at everything!

~My Mom once got pulled over and in her haste and upset-ness when she relayed the story to my sister and I it came out "I got a pucking farking ticket' ..... I still use pucking to this day!

5 moms found this helpful
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M.I.

answers from Albuquerque on

Ha ha these responses are sooo funny! Hubby started saying "shut the front door" the other day after he saw it on some Oreo commercial and my three year old is now saying it (sounds really funny coming from her)! I end up saying freaking in place of, well you know. And then the other day I said "what the heck?" and hubby starts giving me a hard time about cussing. What? That's not a bad word, LOL

4 moms found this helpful

L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

STFU = Shut the Front Door!

4 moms found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Seattle on

I've said, "Oh swear word, swear word!!" I've also heard a friend say, "Oh Fruit Popsicles!"

4 moms found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

Whatever you choose, make it something you won't mind your kids shouting in public or at school one day... that could be really embarrassing (although still better than the real thing!) I'm enjoying the responses you've gotten!

4 moms found this helpful
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E.B.

answers from Denver on

An elderly relative of mine was the boss of a group of employees a very long time ago. The employees used language that my relative did not tolerate. In attempting to curb the use of the bad language, my relative taught them all a word in a foreign language that they could say whenever they felt like swearing. He said it was quite a foul word in this foreign language, and so all the employees took to saying it when they wanted to curse. My relative told them it would sound less objectionable than the curse words they were used to using, and no one else would know how vicious their language actually was. So they all went around using this exotic curse, smirking and quite impressed with their ability to curse in more than one language.

The word he taught them was a Scandinavian word. In English, it meant "twenty-five".

So maybe you can choose a word you like, such as "ice cream" or "three" or "good", and search Google for translations of it. Pick one that sounds satisfying, that you can sneer or that you can use with emotion. The internet has lots of sites with pronunciation helps, so you can properly pronounce your new "curse" word. Tell your children what it really means, or course.

You can even google phrases that sound fun that are completely harmless but somehow, in Gaelic or Italian or German or Portuguese, they sound much more fun. Find out how to say "I will not curse" in a variety of languages. Yell one of those next time you want to curse.

3 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

snap, rocks... I say freakin a lot.

3 moms found this helpful

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

"Junk!" it replaces sh@@, da@@ etc.

3 moms found this helpful

A.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Oh Bother! (ala Winnie the Pooh or Alton Brown)

3 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Tartar Sauce
Shucky Darn
Kool Aid
Snap!
Sweet Mother of God (when I use this - my boys know I'm at my wits end)
Holy Smokes BATMAN!!

Those are the ones I can think of that I use...

I TRY to steer clear of Fudge - because it CAN be "heard" wrong...

3 moms found this helpful
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C.K.

answers from San Antonio on

I say "rust and tarnish!"
It is from a science fiction book series that I read years and years ago. That was the curse word in the book and I started saying it when I had my son. It replaces almost every curse word for me.

I also say "biscuit eatin' dog!" That's usually what I shout when I've stubbed a toe or something.

3 moms found this helpful

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

Pelican !!!!
is one of my favorites - I have no idea why.

Recently started using Hellfire - got from a protagonist of a book I am reading and really like it.

Use frak or frell as an Fword subs.But, really, everyone knows what I mean, so I am trying to avoid all Fword subs now.

@ surfnsk8mom - Love firefly!!!

3 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

I am a bad swearer, too. For some reason, in the heat of the moment of few months ago, in a desperate attempt not to say something I'd regret I said "Oh for the love of Pete!"" Now, my four and six year old walk around saying that when they get frustrated. It makes me laugh because it is MUCH better than what I had really wanted to say, but I still think it sounds weird. LOL

2 moms found this helpful
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B.K.

answers from Albuquerque on

My favorite is son of a buh-nicknick.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from New York on

I say sh*t like alot, so now I say sugar in replace of it in front of my son. I also say 'apple' in replace for 'a*s and a*shole.' I say freak in replace for F**k.

2 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Flubber, hub bub, phooey.

2 moms found this helpful

S.K.

answers from Denver on

I also use cheese and rice, I use schnooks for sh*t (or occasionally sugar lumps has come out, not sure why but it did) . I dont use the b word its not one that comes out I do need a good one for the fbomb for that one seems to slip out ocassionally. Flip flops might work ill have to give that one a try.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

From Sponge Bob: Tartar Sauce.

From my kids: Shut the Front Door and Dog Vomit

I'll repeat "F, F, F, F ,F while hoping on one foot. I'm pretty sure just using the letter is not swearing, even though in my head I still say the whole shibang.

You're not a lone and this was great to ask.

2 moms found this helpful

S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I used to have the cleanest language and never slipped. I've developed a bad habit of slipping. I have been thinking too that I need to get a lock on my mouth again. I don't have any great ideas, but thanks for asking this question!

2 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

We use fiddlesticks and shooty-bang. Yes, they're ridiculous but they're not as naughty :)

2 moms found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have never been one to swear, but when I need something for the rare occasion, I use, "garbage". Garbage is where the swear words belong and are the garbage of your vocabulary.

When my kids brought garbage words home from school, I told them if they used that word again, I would have to burn the garbage out of their mouths. I would get an iced tea spoon and fill it with hot sauce. They would have to hold it in their mouths for 60 seconds. Then they could swallow it or spit it out. Their choice. Today all my children are adults and none of them use profane words or vulgar language.

Good luck to you and yours.

2 moms found this helpful

J.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

I freind of mine used to say "curse word!" instead of one of the curse words. I found it hilarious.

2 moms found this helpful

L.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Let's see... some of my phrases are...

God bless America!
Goodness gracious!
Stink (in it's various forms in place of the various F word forms)
ARGH or RAHR

2 moms found this helpful
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H.A.

answers from Bismarck on

You have to watch "Fantastic Mr. Fox", based on the book by Roald Dahl! Great movie! And everytime they "cuss" I J. crack up! It's worked wonders for M.. (J. spend 15 minutes with my African Gray parrot and you'll know that I used to cuss like a sailor.) Now, I try to "cuss" like a fox. Check it out...

2 moms found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

When I need to ''Swear'' I say ''Oh for the love'' or ''Are you kidding me with this right now''...I say both very sarcastically....My kids laugh every time.

My oldest has even started with the ''Are you kidding me''...I smile every time I hear it outta his mouth!

I noticed the other day my six year old says...''AHHH,Tatar Sauce''...now i crack up when he says it

2 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

DH and I will literally say, "BAD WORD" instead of the word little ears shouldn't hear.

Or you could look up Shakespearean curses if you want to get creative points.

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C.L.

answers from Sacramento on

I've heard my friend utter "that steams my kettle" and it still makes me giggle...

Before my daughter was born, my husband commented he wanted to teach her how to use swear words correctly. He hasn't really "taught" her any, but I do recall one day hearing her utter "D@##" in the back seat of the car when she dropped all the crayons on the floor. I was about to scold her when I realized she used the word exactly as I would have... and she's never uttered it again (as far as I know).

2 moms found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

Shut the front door
Cheese and crackers
crumbs
what the....
oh, for the love of....

2 moms found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Flagstaff on

LOL we're on the same mission : ). It's not the kids but the grown ups 'round here.
CUPCAKE seems to be quite versatile what the cupcake? are you cupcaking serious?
I'm sure there are other foods to use : )
Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.R.

answers from Orlando on

Ah Fooyey!
Ah Shoot!
and Freaking (too much though, and I don't really like that one, but it's better than the alternative!) like, Are you Freaking kidding me!??

it's hard to curb old habits! Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Boston on

My son introduced : oh, Barnicles! It is surprisingly releasing.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.G.

answers from Flagstaff on

that's cool that you're trying to set a good example for your kids and it is creative on your part!

my pre teen son has been using truck instead of....hope that helps. although if your small kid repeats it, it may sound too close to the real...

i don't know why, when i started to parent i have used the word rats, i'm reminded of charlie brown and that rock in his candy sack for halloween.

the batman saying are fun too....
holy hairdo batman
holy disaster batman

oh, my other teen has been using the word 'wow' but the tone he uses has caught on in our household. like wowwwwwww...

one more, my husband likes what the fork...or you're fork'n me.

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C.R.

answers from Seattle on

Shut the front door
Tarter farts (that's not the best with kids, but...)
Holy Schnikes (Like Nikes)
POO!!!

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

An old co-worker of mine used to say fudge nuts. It was so annoying that it stuck with me and now I use it. I also say:

for the love of Pete!
what the heck? or what the hay?
for heaven's sake!
gol darnnit or gosh darnnit
dag nabbit
freak or freakin'
fiddlesticks

My husband's favorite is: Mother Father

N.P.

answers from San Francisco on

"Shut the front door" is a replacement for "shut the f**k up". Most often used to express shock after hearing something incredible or hard to believe. For example:

"The horse just gave birth to triplets!"

"Shut the front door! You've got to be kidding! Show me quick!"

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M.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I say silly, dagnabit, oh booger eater - which the kids find very funny. I also say "oh my gravy" from the cowboys on the Amazing Race, and "oh bother" from Pooh Bear.

On the flip side I have also taught my son that words like stupid, idiot, retard, loser, etc. ARE bad words. When my son hears somebody else say stupid he tells them not to say it because it is a bad word.

D.M.

answers from Rapid City on

for s*** word you can say sugar cookies and for the f*** word you can say fudge, g**-d*** it word you can say gosh darnit...idk I don't know any others but I'm just as guilty on the potty mouth sometimes.

M.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I use Cheeeetos instead of Sh*$

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L.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

When I was a high school teacher, one of my students told a twenty-minute long story of Thanksgiving gone wrong (a family feud--with cops involved) replacing every swear word with the name of a fruit (e.g., "apple" replaced "a**," "banana" replaced "b****," etc. A whole class of generally inattentive students was glued to the story.

L

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A.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My son says "Oh, Barnacles" a lot (think it's from Spongebob).

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L.L.

answers from Boca Raton on

I have one universal phrase I use as a replacement for all of my cursing... Don't know why I used it, just easy to say and fits with all sorts of agression but if I feel the need to say anything I say:

"Banana Slices", anything it doesn't fit into I just don't say. c:

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J.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Holy Hannah Montana .. I cant stand her and when I need to cuss to scream it just works for me ...most of the time I am a total potty mouth (I try no to be) my 6yr old has made a chart so every time she hears me say a bad word she can mark it down so I can pay her a quarter for each word and oh my she has made some money from me..lol I also use god bless America and fudge brownies.

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C.D.

answers from St. Louis on

When I was working we'd all share computer files. A new guy was hired that didn't know how to use the software correctly, so every time I'd pick up one of his files I'd be...."GOD......bless America" and it stuck

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