Date: Sun, 23 Apr 1995 05:47:50 EDT

From: Orin Hargraves 100422.2566[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]COMPUSERVE.COM

Subject: Anodyne Expletives



My great aunt (b. late 19th c., SW Louisiana) had a handful of

charming expressions of surprise that she used in situations where

a (less refined) speaker today might more likely say "Holy S***!" or

"Jesus Christ!". Her favorites were "For Garden Seed!" and "Mother

of Pearl!" as well as the more common "Heavenly Days!". I wonder



a) are there many expressions of this kind?

b) do they have geographical boundaries?

c) are they (becoming) obsolete in American speech?



All comments welcome, with thanks --





Orin Hargraves



100422.2566[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]compuserve.com



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