In American movies every decent, self respecting American woman says at least once: ohmygod! In this movie I did not hear this feminine expression of righteous shock once, although there are ample occasions to utter it. Did I fail to listen carefully? Or is it a new expression? Please anybody help me.
shareMaybe some American women say that now days.
We`re talking about a book that was written in the 1950`s... then, adapted into a film.
We`re talking about "decent,self respecting American women," are`nt we?
Where do you come from, and why on earth would you think that we all use that expression?
Here`s a new one for you.... GOOD GRIEF!
I am from Switzerland, Europe and English is for me a foreign language. I would never dream of thinking that all American women use that expression. But I heard it so often in many more recent American movies as an expression of shock or surprise. Only women seem to use it and it often sounds somewhat trite and affected (I repeat: in movies).
Why bother? Every language develops constantly, as do fashion, hairstyles, architecture, interior decorationg and so on. All that makes old movies so fascinating to watch, it is like a mirror of a time long past. And sometimes one wonders if movies imitate reality or if it is the other way round. Whatever, there must be an exchange between the two. For that reason watching movies is always more than mere entertainment. It can be a way to find an approach to a culture one does not know so well.
All this to explain the motives for an innocent question? Good grief, indeed!
Thank you for your explaination. People do say ohmygod.... women AND men. I suppose I was irritated that anyone would assume that only women would say it.
shareAnother explanation could be that, although some may not realise it, the phrase 'oh my God' technically counts as cursing or swearing, or did in earlier times. As this film was made in 1959 the Hollywood Code was still in effect, banning swear words in films. Could this have been the reason?
shareHere I am 3 years later...but you are absolutely correct!
Using OMG, would be considered blasphemous, using God's name
in vain.
"OOO...I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"
I totally agree. That is a lot of why classic movies are often more enjoyable than the average modern PG-13 blockbuster. Directors now need to know that young people like me are skipping their trashy movies because we actually have some standards.
P.S. I love your username. The Lennon Sisters are awesome.
Using the Lord's name in vain was taken seriously, pretty much. I can remember being reprimanded by my mom for saying "God" this was early 1960s
nice socks, man.....
This has got to be the silliest, most narrow-minded statement ever. Before you ask a question, leave the stereotyping out. I find your question and statement very insulting to all American women. Not every "self-respecting" American woman (as you put it) uses that term. I don't.
Additionally, I have never seen a movie from the 1950s that remotely uses that expression. During that time, it would have been inappropriate, as your statement was.
"Oh my God" certainly would have been innappropriate in the '50s -- especially in the movies -- but did it strike anyone as odd how much times the word "hell" is used in this film? That was another word self-respecting women (and men) avoided.
share[deleted]
Dear manuel-pestalozzi,
Please try not to be racist.
It won't serve you well in the new world order.
And by the way "oh My God" was not a common expression in movies in the 1950's. It's a more recent thing.