Whore/Horror/Hoe/Ho
I love linguistics.
This is a true story.
There was a guy named Kevin that all the girls liked. Except me. He was not my cup of tea and he knew it. I wasn’t rude to him, but he knew I didn’t like how he talked to me. It didn’t stop him but I ignored him as best as I could.
While standing in the lunch line at school, two upper class girls approached me. I balled my fists. I thought there was gonna be a scrap.
One finally spoke, “so I heard you called me a HOE.”
Confused, I said, “I don’t even know what that is.”
The very intimidating girl adds, “Kevin said this….”
Oh that jerk. I explained to her he and I didn’t get along. She suspected he was starting his shit but she wanted to make sure.
I didn’t have to fight that day. Whew!
After the girls left, I turned to my best friend and ask, “what is a HOE?”
This is a teachable moment here. I was expecting a Webster dictionary response breaking down the word’s origin and variable tenses but my friend in a detached manner, nonchalantly responds, “a Whore.”
Hm.
I repeat the word out loud….. hoping it would open the gates of understanding.
I think to myself, I do like scary movies…….
H-O-double R-O-R.
That night while at the table doing my homework, I ask my mom, “What’s a Hoe?” My mom, who cannot be subtle in any way, says loudly, “a ‘Hoe?’ A garden tool!”
Hearing the word “Whore” for the first time made me think “Horror.” For years, I thought this girl believed I called her a “Scary.”
B-O-O
The One Date Wonder 