I would like to suggest and recommend the use of Sacré bleu whenever an exclamation of wonder, incredulity or adulation is needed. There are many advantages: 1. It is spiritually neutral, unlike the Australian Jaisus, the Indian Holy cow or just plain Geez. 2. It confers a sense of internationalism entirely suitable to this forum. 3. It's quiet and refined, with no upsetting overtones of scatology or sexual strangeness. 4. The association with gemstones is appropriate and obvious - blue sapphire, aquamarine, tanzanite and lapis spring immediately to mind. 5. French speaking members of the forum will be most comfortable with it's use, especially Canadians, all of whom are naturally bi-lingual, although they may prefer the local form Sacreh bleu.
Post subject: Re: Gemological expression of amazement
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:36 am
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Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 4:55 am Posts: 237 Location: Vienna, Austria
Sorry to say: It seems the phrase is not that religiously neutral. Wikipedia states the phrase has a christian origin, referring to the blue colour of the dress of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Sorry to say: It seems the phrase is not that religiously neutral. Wikipedia states the phrase has a christian origin, referring to the blue colour of the dress of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Post subject: Re: Gemological expression of amazement
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:38 pm
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Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:04 pm Posts: 1642 Location: Walnut Creek, CA
"M-Volt" here.
If I would add my current (private: in public I'm usually extremely polite*) expression of amazement this thread would be forwarded directly to an exorcist (I'd suggest Father Amorth, from the Vatican, I'd like to meet him in person), instead of the "meandring footnotes", where it would fit better, maybe.
* But I had some trouble e.g. when I thought I was alone, and I wasn't
Post subject: Re: Gemological expression of amazement
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 10:49 pm
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Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:56 pm Posts: 44
My apologies to Mehoose for mis-spelling Geezus - I used a phonetic transcription. Profane blue has the connotation of profanity, of course, and we all know where that leads. I should perhaps re-phrase the first virtue as "relatively spiritually neutral". I've always associated blue with the Virgin Mary, and was not aware of the substitution of bleu in place of Dieu. These are, however, fine and subtle distinctions. Dieu might be a problem for Buddhist/Zen facetors. All in all, Sacré Bleu has much to commend it.
Post subject: Re: Gemological expression of amazement
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:28 pm
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Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:56 pm Posts: 44
My intention, although cast in a humorous form, was serious. It disturbs me when, particularly, crude expressions are used inappropriately. There is obviously a place for expletives in life, and bugger is certainly one I have been known to mutter under my breath. But when such language is used explicitly to express amazement or praise it raises my hackles, especially in a forum such as this. My hope was to indicate an alternative that could be seen as appropriate to our field of interest in as gentle a way as possible. I think this topic has run its course.
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