That elicited giggles aplenty. “What about the S word that ends with T?” asked the eldest. “That one too.” More giggles. But then my youngest, five-year-old K, asked, “What about the other S word? The one that ends with an ‘eeeeeee” sound?” (5/12)

That stumped me. I wracked my brain trying to think of such a swear word, and couldn’t. “What word is that?” I asked her. K’s eyes grew wide. “I can’t say it!” she protested. “It’s a bad word!” (6/12)