Animal Idioms and Mindful Language

When you stop and think about how much of your thoughts, words, and actions are a product of your environment, it can be overwhelming. There are a lot of things we do just because we always have, and that’s not a good reason. There are enough things that I find myself doing mindlessly; I sometimes drive to work with no recollection of doing so (dangerous, much?). Is it too much to ask of myself to be mindful of the language I use?

“I wouldn’t treat a dog like that.” My mother said this to me recently, while we were discussing the state of US healthcare. Logically, one would think “Of course not, why would you suggest anyone would?” But that phrase has become commonplace, just as “kill two birds with one stone,”  “more than one way to skin a cat,” “beating a dead horse”… the list is endless.

Using unfriendly animal language is one example of the disconnect we have when it comes to other species. It’s interwoven into the fabric of our history; it’s so much a part of routine that we don’t even realize we’re saying something speciesist. We call someone “chicken” when they’re acting scared; we call someone a “snake” when they do something dishonest. And the word “bitch” has become so overused in our lexicon. It wasn’t so long ago that my online identity included that word.

Over the past few years, I’ve definitely become more aware of the words I choose. I’m not perfect, but then, that’s not what this (or any side of veganism) is about. It’s about being mindful, doing the best you can, and thinking about how your actions impact others.

There’s another expression we’ve all heard before: “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt  me.” I beg to differ.

Photo credit: sAeroZar via Flickr