Sunday, May 19, 2024
FROM MY FRONT PORCH
Turning something bad into something good, with a simple twist of words
SAM HOUSTON
Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.
It may be an assumption on my part, but most people probably have heard the phrase, “I hate your guts!” Not sure when I heard it for the first time, but I would think it was from a movie or TV show I saw as a child. The person who spoke the phrase was angry and upset, looked their counterpart with complete disdain and hate in their eyes, and delivered the expression. Clearly the message being sent was one of utter and total disgust, anger and … well … hate.
I do recall how silly I thought the phrase was, even though it was clearly meant to be a serious expression. Why would I hate someone’s guts? Why not their mouth? It is much more likely something someone said would upset me more than their guts. Why not hate someone’s brains, or their heart, or even their feet for that matter? Why hate their guts?
Archaeologists in Egypt have reported they have uncovered hieroglyphs depicting old scores settled by destroying the preserved organs of the person to be disgraced. Is this where it all started?
The word “guts” has a lot of social and literary significance. Shakespeare in Henry V wrote, “He which hath no stomach in this fight. Let him depart.” The English-speaking world has long used the term such as “He had the guts to stand up and fight.” The “guts” is the essence of a person and so to use the term would clearly mean to be as inclusive about another to the highest degree possible.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I did some more research. “Within the Law” was a Broadway production performed in 1912. Written by Bavard Veiller and followed by a book based on the play written by Marvin Dann, a character uttered the words, “He was a stool pigeon, and I hated his guts! Is this how “I hate your guts” got started?
No matter how the phrase was born or evolved, without question it depicts hating another through and through. If we hate their guts, it is a step further than loathing, despising or abhorring an individual, it is to detest their very soul and being. Not sure it gets worse than that.
When my children were little, we were watching TV together and a character used the phrase, “I hate your guts.” My son innocently looked at me and asked, “what does that mean?” As my daughter crawled into my lap to join the conversation, I told them that we shouldn’t hate anyone, but the character who used the phrase was trying to express his dislike for someone in as significant manner as he could.
Suddenly, an inspiration hit me. I looked at the two of my precious offspring and said, “Did you know I love your guts?” Both looked at me curiously. What the heck are you talking about dad? Then I said, “if I hate your guts is the worst thing you can say to another, I love your guts must be the best thing to say to someone.” They both smiled at me with big, innocent smiles and from that point on I would tell them, “I loved their guts.” I use the phrase with my wife, my granddaughters, and a few other people. It usually gets a curious look of confusion the first time I use the phrase with someone, but after explanation they smile and nod and walk away feeling they are special.
Guess what readers, “I love your guts!”
Thought for the day: Love is like the wind — you can feel it, but you cannot see it.
Until next time.
sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260
