Dirty Words

Today is Tuesday, the day we write about language and words (starting, um, now). As a preface, we're not trying to be another Language Log, which is very good already.

Rather, we envision an irregular, irreverent feature, noting funny and weird and interesting and stupid things about what people say and how they say it. Okay, so it sounds a bit like Language Log, but trust us it'll be different. Really, I promise.

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"SNAFU" is a great word. I love it when people explain away some minor mishap by saying, "Oh, well, there was a SNAFU..."

Deploying SNAFU = Instant Absolution

You can say "SNAFU" at work or school or even in the library (quietly, of course). You can use it with your grandma (or other people similar to your grandma). SNAFU offends none.

And yet, the meaning of "SNAFU," as it was originally coined, is: Situation Normal: All Fucked Up.

So use "SNAFU," and use it liberally. It's a great way to drop a hidden F-bomb in an otherwise-benign setting. And it gets you off the hook, pretty much everytime.