Before I knew - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

heatqueen · 4th Apr 2008, 03:09 AM

Has anyone had the experience where, before you knew what a word meant, you thought it meant something completely different?

Before I knew what the word 'lesbian' meant I thought it was like, a nationality or something. I was like 'So where do lesbians come from, a country called Lesbia or something??' LOL

Anyone else??

Vampyrecat · 4th Apr 2008, 03:27 AM

hmm....

nope...nothing comes to mind except for the time when I thought the word "Shit" was a really super naughty word that only adults were allowed to use. Imagine my surprise when my 4 year old classmate said "SHIT!!!!" at the top of her voice... I was like "that's a BIG person's word! You can't say that!"...

but aside from that...no

Wander · 4th Apr 2008, 04:47 AM

I wasn't aware of the cultural taboos on certain profanities when I was younger and thus spewed them out left and right until someone told me to stop, but I can't think of any other examples.

RENThead · 4th Apr 2008, 06:23 AM

when i was little, someone at school told me that my middle finger was my swearing finger. and mum told me that i 'jonny' may have a swearing finger, but i dont...

Louise · 4th Apr 2008, 06:38 AM

When I was 9 or 10 I was in the car waiting for my mum to take me to school, there were loads of little bugs on the window and as I was squashing them I told my sister that I was squashing tiny orgasms, my sister (2 years older) turned bright red and told me to shut up. Later when my mum had dropped us off she told me what I had said.

As a small child, I don't remember how old, I was at my grandma's house when the priest came to give her a blessing, I shouted across the room, "hey granny have you taken your pill?" Again great embarassed silence and my sister pushed me out of the room. "what? What have I done now?!!!!" For me a pill was medication. My sister explained the difference between a tablet and THE PILL!

I must have been a very trying child for my parents!

**Martin** · 4th Apr 2008, 06:49 AM

I probably have, but i can't help but think of this story that i just have to tell.

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight, I'm
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you

Anybody who has heard this song will probably recognise that it is Losing My Religion by REM. My mum and dad listened to this song a lot when i was ickle, but me being an idiot thought that instead of religion he sang erection (i had no idea what it meant), so i ended up singing:
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight, I'm
Losing my erection
Trying to keep up with you

To think i actually sang that aloud. >.<

Vampyrecat · 4th Apr 2008, 08:11 PM

Oh dear Martin....

That's why we luv ya.

CaptainTrips · 4th Apr 2008, 08:21 PM

It's not to the degree that Martin's is, but when i was younger the words to the Friend's theme song, "I'll be there for you" sounded to me exactly like "I B A 4 U" and i never stopped to wonder why anyone would sing such a random assortment of letters. and a number.

i'm sure there's a number of stuff i was confused about as a little kid, but nowadays i tend to keep quiet about stuff i'm not sure about. its safer that way

SamAlex728 · 4th Apr 2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heatqueen

Has anyone had the experience where, before you knew what a word meant, you thought it meant something completely different?

Before I knew what the word 'lesbian' meant I thought it was like, a nationality or something. I was like 'So where do lesbians come from, a country called Lesbia or something??' LOL

Anyone else??

that happened to me too.

Lava421 · 4th Apr 2008, 10:07 PM

I thought "canibal" meant able to be canned. You know, like the word lovable means able to be loved.

As a kid I was afraid to use the word spectacle because I was afraid I'd get it mixed up with the word testicle.

5th Apr 2008, 01:34 AM

Not me personally, but a friend thought Jim was short for Jimothy, you know, Timothy haha

Tim · 5th Apr 2008, 03:24 AM

I remember being told what cats were, however, I, being little, misunderstood. When I saw my first dog (a husky), I screamed in joy "KITTY!!!!". Needless to say, that was an odd moment =P

Louise · 5th Apr 2008, 07:33 AM

Oh yeah, I've got another one... It runs in the family apparently. A few years ago my mother went into Dixons and after several fruitless minutes trying to attract tha attention of a sales person shouted imperiously "Excuse me young man I'm looking for some Durex batteries please" The young man behind the counter said I" think you mean Duracell madame, they are just over there to your right!" Mother realising her mistake left in haste... without her batteries!

CerahWright · 5th Apr 2008, 11:31 AM

i didn't know that "pussy" wasn't a term to use in everyday language until i yelled at some girl in my 1st grade class to get her hands off my pussy on the playground (i had brought some kittens to school for show and tell)

i'm not kidding this actually happened...i always seem to find myself saying things wrong. like last summer when i asked a friend if i could play her monkey (she had a sock-monkey named BoBo), well i actually yelled it at her across the volleyball net at camp. Everyone laughed

Paul_UK · 5th Apr 2008, 11:35 AM

When I was very young I thought suicide was "sore-side". I wondered why it was such a big deal to mention on the news if someone had a sore side and why when I fell off my bike I wasn't mentioned.

tehnathan · 10th Apr 2008, 08:30 PM

heatqueen: No, they come from the isle of Lesbos.

I'm not being 100% serious of course but it is actually part of Greek mythology.

Tokarov · 10th Apr 2008, 08:41 PM

My sister once told me that "gay" means happy, which it does, but when I was really little.

rofl So I went to school (i think, I was really little) so I said.

"I'm really gay today"

*awkward silence...*

lol not even joking, hate her for that.

sayitforreals · 10th Apr 2008, 08:41 PM

I remember when I was really little and learning my alphabet I only knew the song and not the actual letters so once I got past k it became one word...elemeno... and then I continued the alphabet.

I also remember hearing the word hooker from my older brother. I went to school and called someone that. I got in trouble and Im all "I dont know what it means I swear!!!

"

tehnathan · 10th Apr 2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehnathan

heatqueen: No, they come from the isle of Lesbos.

I'm not being 100% serious of course but it is actually part of Greek mythology.

Can a moderator fix that link please (I corrected it above but not in the original post)?

I typoed. :[

10th Apr 2008, 09:10 PM

Haha that actually did happen to me before. I said twat like all the time before I knew what it meant. I still say it all the time but I know what it means now. I just had the basic thing where you say swears cause you don't know they're bad. Like one time my aunt said to my mother, "Get rid of that fucking toothbrush he carries around" (I used to like to carry around toothbrushes for some reason), so one time I was at a party full of old people and I dropped my toothbrush and I was like "Oops I dropped my fuckin toothbrush." My mom was mortified haha. But you know, things like that were basically all I did.

4th Apr 2008, 03:09 AM	#1
heatqueen Official #1 fan of Celine Dion Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Pansexual/Homoromantic bisexual Out Status: Generally whoever asks Location: I travel a lot Age: 20 Posts: 5,707 Join Date: Jan 2008	Before I knew Has anyone had the experience where, before you knew what a word meant, you thought it meant something completely different? Before I knew what the word 'lesbian' meant I thought it was like, a nationality or something. I was like 'So where do lesbians come from, a country called Lesbia or something??' LOL Anyone else?? __________________ Don't drink and drive. You might hit a bump and spill your drink. Co-founder of the 'Sailor Moon Made Me Gay' club...and the lesbians.

4th Apr 2008, 03:27 AM	#2
Vampyrecat "Meow" Said the Cat. Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Everybody who Matters to me. Location: 1 hour east of Portland, Vic. Age: 20 Posts: 1,622 Join Date: Jul 2007	Re: Before I knew hmm.... nope...nothing comes to mind except for the time when I thought the word "Shit" was a really super naughty word that only adults were allowed to use. Imagine my surprise when my 4 year old classmate said "SHIT!!!!" at the top of her voice... I was like "that's a BIG person's word! You can't say that!"... but aside from that...no __________________ Call me Tess. Hey lets all eat chocolate!!!!!!!!!! Nom nom nom. Is the EC Gf of Heatqueen. Telly forever

4th Apr 2008, 04:47 AM	#3
Wander Banned Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Parents, aunts, grandma, counselor, online friends Location: Central Alabama Age: 18 Posts: 2,360 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Before I knew I wasn't aware of the cultural taboos on certain profanities when I was younger and thus spewed them out left and right until someone told me to stop, but I can't think of any other examples.

4th Apr 2008, 06:23 AM	#4
RENThead EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Gay / Asexual Out Status: everyone who asks Location: Cork, Ireland Age: 22 Posts: 447 Join Date: Feb 2008	Re: Before I knew when i was little, someone at school told me that my middle finger was my swearing finger. and mum told me that i 'jonny' may have a swearing finger, but i dont...

4th Apr 2008, 06:38 AM	#5
Louise EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Straight/open minded Location: France Age: 47 Posts: 2,120 Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Before I knew When I was 9 or 10 I was in the car waiting for my mum to take me to school, there were loads of little bugs on the window and as I was squashing them I told my sister that I was squashing tiny orgasms, my sister (2 years older) turned bright red and told me to shut up. Later when my mum had dropped us off she told me what I had said. As a small child, I don't remember how old, I was at my grandma's house when the priest came to give her a blessing, I shouted across the room, "hey granny have you taken your pill?" Again great embarassed silence and my sister pushed me out of the room. "what? What have I done now?!!!!" For me a pill was medication. My sister explained the difference between a tablet and THE PILL! I must have been a very trying child for my parents! __________________ I'm a supporter of gay rights... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant. Paul Newman

4th Apr 2008, 06:49 AM	#6
Martin EC's Red Queen EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Location: Merseyside, UK Age: 21 Posts: 8,047 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Before I knew I probably have, but i can't help but think of this story that i just have to tell. That's me in the corner That's me in the spotlight, I'm Losing my religion Trying to keep up with you Anybody who has heard this song will probably recognise that it is Losing My Religion by REM. My mum and dad listened to this song a lot when i was ickle, but me being an idiot thought that instead of religion he sang erection (i had no idea what it meant), so i ended up singing: That's me in the corner That's me in the spotlight, I'm Losing my erection Trying to keep up with you To think i actually sang that aloud. >.< __________________ The blue whale ejaculates up to 40 gallons during sexual intercourse, but only 10 gallons enters the female. Do you still wonder why the sea tastes salty?

4th Apr 2008, 08:11 PM	#7
Vampyrecat "Meow" Said the Cat. Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Everybody who Matters to me. Location: 1 hour east of Portland, Vic. Age: 20 Posts: 1,622 Join Date: Jul 2007	Re: Before I knew Oh dear Martin.... That's why we luv ya. __________________ Call me Tess. Hey lets all eat chocolate!!!!!!!!!! Nom nom nom. Is the EC Gf of Heatqueen. Telly forever

4th Apr 2008, 08:21 PM	#8
CaptainTrips EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Location: RI, center of the universe Age: 21 Posts: 547 Join Date: Mar 2008	Re: Before I knew It's not to the degree that Martin's is, but when i was younger the words to the Friend's theme song, "I'll be there for you" sounded to me exactly like "I B A 4 U" and i never stopped to wonder why anyone would sing such a random assortment of letters. and a number. i'm sure there's a number of stuff i was confused about as a little kid, but nowadays i tend to keep quiet about stuff i'm not sure about. its safer that way

4th Apr 2008, 10:07 PM	#10
Lava421 Well Known Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Five friends Age: 25 Posts: 213 Join Date: Apr 2005	Re: Before I knew I thought "canibal" meant able to be canned. You know, like the word lovable means able to be loved. As a kid I was afraid to use the word spectacle because I was afraid I'd get it mixed up with the word testicle.

5th Apr 2008, 01:34 AM	#11
SAGUY84 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Before I knew Not me personally, but a friend thought Jim was short for Jimothy, you know, Timothy haha

5th Apr 2008, 03:24 AM	#12
Tim Psycho Glitter Btch Full Member Gender:* Guy, Unless Life Was a Horrible April Fools Joke. Orientation: Gay/Asexual/Confusing to Explain Out Status: Armed and Fabulous! XD Location: California Age: 23 Posts: 7,381 Join Date: Mar 2008	Re: Before I knew I remember being told what cats were, however, I, being little, misunderstood. When I saw my first dog (a husky), I screamed in joy "KITTY!!!!". Needless to say, that was an odd moment =P __________________ Rawr! :3 ~The Stalker User Known As Tim~ Rawr! :3 EC's Sailor Star Healer, Oxymoron and All. Star Sensitive Inferno! Sailor Starlight, Stage On! [Vic] 7:49 pm: I keep my pants off in public.

5th Apr 2008, 07:33 AM	#13
Louise EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Straight/open minded Location: France Age: 47 Posts: 2,120 Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Before I knew Oh yeah, I've got another one... It runs in the family apparently. A few years ago my mother went into Dixons and after several fruitless minutes trying to attract tha attention of a sales person shouted imperiously "Excuse me young man I'm looking for some Durex batteries please" The young man behind the counter said I" think you mean Duracell madame, they are just over there to your right!" Mother realising her mistake left in haste... without her batteries! __________________ I'm a supporter of gay rights... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant. Paul Newman

5th Apr 2008, 11:31 AM	#14
CerahWright Well Known Regular Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Out to everyone Location: around Cincinnati Age: 21 Posts: 141 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Before I knew i didn't know that "pussy" wasn't a term to use in everyday language until i yelled at some girl in my 1st grade class to get her hands off my pussy on the playground (i had brought some kittens to school for show and tell) i'm not kidding this actually happened...i always seem to find myself saying things wrong. like last summer when i asked a friend if i could play her monkey (she had a sock-monkey named BoBo), well i actually yelled it at her across the volleyball net at camp. Everyone laughed

5th Apr 2008, 11:35 AM	#15
Paul_UK Former Empty Closets Admin Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bournemouth, UK Age: 47 Posts: 13,155 Join Date: Nov 2004	Re: Before I knew When I was very young I thought suicide was "sore-side". I wondered why it was such a big deal to mention on the news if someone had a sore side and why when I fell off my bike I wasn't mentioned. __________________ Paul

10th Apr 2008, 08:30 PM	#16
tehnathan Aspiring Student Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: That way. Over there. Or is it that way? Out Status: It's not a big deal. If people want to know, yes. Location: Ottawa, Canada Age: 35 Posts: 264 Join Date: Aug 2007	Re: Before I knew heatqueen: No, they come from the isle of Lesbos. I'm not being 100% serious of course but it is actually part of Greek mythology. __________________ "I like to tell people I have the heart of a small boy. Then I say it's in a jar on my desk." - Stephen King

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10th Apr 2008, 08:41 PM	#17
Tokarov Banned Gender: Male Orientation: Bisexual Out Status: Some people Location: Southern California Age: 20 Posts: 688 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Before I knew My sister once told me that "gay" means happy, which it does, but when I was really little. rofl So I went to school (i think, I was really little) so I said. "I'm really gay today" awkward silence... lol not even joking, hate her for that.

10th Apr 2008, 08:41 PM	#18
sayitforreals Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: open minded. Out Status: Almost 15 friends, and mom. Location: Ky. I wear shoes btw. Age: 21 Posts: 162 Join Date: Mar 2008	Re: Before I knew I remember when I was really little and learning my alphabet I only knew the song and not the actual letters so once I got past k it became one word...elemeno... and then I continued the alphabet. I also remember hearing the word hooker from my older brother. I went to school and called someone that. I got in trouble and Im all "I dont know what it means I swear!!! "

10th Apr 2008, 09:10 PM	#20
Midnight Angel Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Before I knew Haha that actually did happen to me before. I said twat like all the time before I knew what it meant. I still say it all the time but I know what it means now. I just had the basic thing where you say swears cause you don't know they're bad. Like one time my aunt said to my mother, "Get rid of that fucking toothbrush he carries around" (I used to like to carry around toothbrushes for some reason), so one time I was at a party full of old people and I dropped my toothbrush and I was like "Oops I dropped my fuckin toothbrush." My mom was mortified haha. But you know, things like that were basically all I did.