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DTT's avatar

Three years ago I heard a comedian say he had retorted to his teenage sons' ribbing with the "sticks and stones" rhyme we all know from childhood.

The conversation with his sons devolved into a true argument when they both corrected him, saying the phrase is: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can REALLY hurt me."

They told him they had been hearing that in school their entire lives.

Two young people I know personally verified hearing the updated phrase repeated by teachers throughout their public school years.

Ponder the difference that one word makes: the correct version instills confidence, but the new version immediately turns you into a victim.

Government schools are a toxin.

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ES's avatar

wow. that is insane. and yes, government schools are toxin. I"d also argue many private schools as well. You have to be careful everywhere.

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53rd Chapter's avatar

As in "Do unto others before they do it unto you."

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DTT's avatar

Yes! That started as a sardonic joke but now the perverted joke version is often accepted as the real version. So sad.

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Robyn's avatar

LANGUAGE!!!! Over and over again I see language, its use and misuse, creating more problems than it solves! When, how, where did our language, the core of our means to communicate, become the weapon of choice for ostracizing and criticizing? Would this be a better world if humans had never developed verbal communication? Giving it some thought... 🤔

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