Is the expression "h**l's half-acre" considered to be profanity or inappropriate to say in front of children?

Question

argument with the wife because I was giving my kids what-for about losing stuff in the back seat of the car on a long road trip. I said that they were spreading their stuff all over h**l's half-acre, and my 10 y.o. daughter said that I was using foul language. I disagreed and the wife got mad and sided with the kids. I contend that it is an descriptive expression that has nothing to do with the profane use of the word "h**l".

Answer 1

That gray area or fine point is lost on the children--they see things in tems of black and white.  If a word is inappropriate to use, it is inappropriate in any context.  

For example, I wouldn't call a female dog a ***** in front of my kids, or refer to a donkey as a jackass, or use the word p***y for a cat, just because I wouldn't want them repeating it in public and getting in trouble and using me as their excuse.

You can try explaining it to them that it is a figure of speech, but would they win that same argument if they repeated that exact phrase at school and got in trouble for it?

That's really the yardstick you have to measure things like this by--you can't really get by with "do as I say, not as I do" because they will follow your example rather than your instruction every time.  If you don't want them to go around using that word & then trying to rationalize it, then the best thing to do is to model the behavior you expect.  Otherwise they will throw up to you what they perceive as hypocrisy or a double standard every time.

It's much easier for you to find another way of communicating the same message without the colorful language than it would ever be to get them to see the difference.

Answer 2

h**l is the name given to a place that is unpleasant. It is not a curse word in and of itself. However, as far as children are concerned, a better choice of words would have been in order. You don't want to pass on cliché language habits. "....all over the place." would have been sufficient.

Answer 3

They say h**l in church so no it's not a profanity.

It would be inaproperiate if you said go to h**l.

Answer 4

h**l's half acre has been referred to in history, liturature, geology, music, and films . . . Not in front of the children . . .but pull your wife aside and show her the web site below . . .The child heard one word "h**l" and tried to take the blame off herself and through it on you . . .It worked ! !  Watch out for those crafty 10 year olds ! !   Just think what she might do in 3 more years, Poppa ! ! !  LOL LOL LOL =)

Answer 5

I'd take your side since you are referring to the location of h**l. Although you probably shouldn't say it wasn't meant as a profane term.