Ragan.com is rerunning one of my old columns, a series of thoughts about swearing at work.
In it, I quote Boots regular Joan Hope; I say she's "married to a truck driver, and sometimes she swears like a truck driver too."
So I get this polite e-mail from "Tricia," who's "not trying to be ultra politically correct." But:
As the daughter of a truck driver who drove for 55 years before hanging it up (reluctantly) at 77—I can tell you not all truck drivers are serial potty-mouths, and it amazes me this expression continues to pop up all the time. I can tell you in my career I've worked with all types—and the use of language by perceived better educated and more professional individuals is alot more pervasive in those ranks than among my father's blue collar friends—many of whom came of age when social graces were at more of a premium. Just something to point out as it rankles me when stereotypes continue to be perpetuated, as a matter of convenience in many cases.
I replied that truckers probably get a bad rap because not enough truckers' daughters speak out on their behalf. Point taken, Tricia.
Sailor! You should have said sailor!
Sailors have daughters too, Diane.
I’d have said “swear like David Mamet characters…”
Yes, I know.
Insert smiley there. It was stripped.