Britches

Folks, I have always been interested in words. Colloquialisms especially intrigue me. Take the title of this column for instance. I cannot recall ever hearing this word used as I was growing up in Ohio. I imagine some people used it but not in my hearing. Pants, trousers, overalls and knickers were the words used in my environment. Later on in life I heard the phrase, I’ll tan your britches, and thought that saying quite unique.

The other evening Betty and I spent an enjoyable evening with James and June Stewart and I recalled a story June had told us some time ago. For those of you who do not know, James and June raised three boys. June had told us that when the boys were young they got into mischief and she told them she was going to give them a spanking. Where upon one of the boys asked, "Do we have to take down our britches?" Now this question broke down the serious part of the episode as June could hardly keep from breaking out laughing. I cannot remember if June said "yes" or "no" or even gave any answer at all.

Be that as it may, it got me to thinking about discipline. Whatever method we choose as parents, teachers, as a community or a country; the only valid reason is to correct the situation and try to prevent whatever the mistake was in the first place from happening again. If we discipline for any other reason but to improve the person or situation, we are wrong!

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