Precious Words

This is a story from sometime within the past 3 years that still makes me laugh. When me son was born I made a true effort to speak with out using foul language (it isn't a problem, just the everyday things). Sometimes out of frustration, and without thinking I would occasionally say "Damn it!" More often than not in a quiet voice but it must have not been that quiet as my son quickly learned an exciting new phrase. He thought repeating it over and over was funny, meanwhile I realized my mistake and tried to correct him but tell him "Don't say that." I also explained why and that Daddy shouldn't have said it. That exchange only made things worse as the phrase that was being repeated quite often then was "Damn it, don't say that." All the while thinking "What have I done?!" and wishing I had one of those mind eraser things from the movie Men In Black. I learned that ignoring the behavior made it stop sooner, and then explained to him that he shouldn't say that and if he does again he will go to timeout. Things seemed to be better until he would drop something or break something and you would hear this softer toned little "Damn it!" If I could maintain and semblance of composure I would take him to time out and explain why he is there, but the first few times I had to leave the room as I couldn't hold in the laughter as my son, who was two at the time, was using the phrase in the proper context. The phrase is heard on very rare occasions at this point in time (rare being maybe once in six to eight months if that) but when it is used it is always used properly damn it.