Family Slang

Over a century ago, a British social reformer named Helen Bosanquet noted that nearly every family has terms or expressions that seem silly or meaningless to those outside the clan. She referred to these as family slang. As the result of a dinner conversation just over a year ago, we added one of these to our group.

One night, as we were starting dinner, B. told us a story. I don't remember much about the story. It was probably something that had happened in school. The relevant point was that the story provided him the opportunity to say the word "butt", which I remember him relishing. After he had finished, we acknowledged the story appropriately (nod, chuckle). Then A. and I
began a discussion that, while it was a good story, it was maybe not appropriate for dinner conversation. We further wondered if perhaps a less crass word could have been used. The conversation went something like:

J. - "Maybe you could have said backside instead."
A. - "Or bottom."
B. - "I guess I could have said behind."
N. - "Or bahooney."
J. - "Bahooney? Iv'e never heard that one. Who says bahooney?"
N. - "I do."
J. - "Since when?"
N. - "Since now. I just started using it."

Since then it has become my preferred option. I'm sure we have other family slang that I am not even aware we are using. Paul Dickson wrote a book on the subject, "Family Words" . I haven't read it yet but it sounds like it might be fun to look at.