460,000 results came up on my Google search.
Who knew there were so many variations?
The Phrase Finder site says:
"STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES, BUT WORDS (NAMES) WILL NEVER HURT ME. - Although a physical attack may harm me, I am not bothered by cruel words or name-calling. I don't care what you're saying. This children's taunt was first listed in 'Folk Phrases of Four Counties' (1894) by G.F. Northall and is first attested in the United States in 'Miss Lindsey' (1936) by S.G. Gibbons. The proverb is found in varying forms: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but hard words cannot hurt me; Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me; Sticks and stones will break my bones, but lies will never hurt me." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).
Many of the search results talked about bullying. The Children Today article, titled “Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones -- And Words Can Hurt, Too” represented 18-year-old Heather.
"I was bullied," says Heather from Texas. "Even after 18 years, I can tell you her name, describe what she looked like, show you where she lived and tell you all the horrible things she did to me -- in detail. She ruined all my memories of fifth and sixth grade. Those two years will always be remembered as the time that Christie tortured me."
Here’s a couple other titles:
Sticks 'n stones may break my bones, but words hurt, too
Sticks An Stones Can Break My Bones BUT Words Hurt Forever (YouTube Video)
I rejoiced when I saw this article:
Sticks & Stones Can Break My Bones But Names Can Really Hurt Me!
The overall tone of the article is; not only do you harm others but also bring harm to you.
Granted, it would be a better world if we could all ignore hateful comments.
But a world without the hateful comments is far more desirable.
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1 comments:
Tom, I am of two minds on this. On the one hand, I'm an English teacher. I make my living with language and I know full well the power - for good and for ill - that language possesses.
On the other hand, I also understand that the only power that words have is the power WE give them.
If we're living mindfully, we get to choose how words affect us. We can take back words that were used against us ("you call me 'bitch' like that's a BAD thing..."). It takes a LOT of inner strength and belief in oneself to be able to do that, though, and most of us haven't quite mastered this "water off a duck's back" trick.
I'm with you - I'd rather a world without hateful speech, but I'm learning to live in the world with it.
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