“Hay-zeus-mar-ee-yo-sup!” Mama swore when she was frustrated, disgusted, or nearly angry. She also said it when she was spooked. “Hay-zeus-mar-ee-yo-sup!”
And, should Mama break a glass, she spat out, “Hay-zeus-mar-ee-yo-sup!” followed by Tph. Tph. Tph. Three pretend spits to the floor. Bad luck, go away!
It was years, decades before I figured out what Mama meant by “Hay-zeus-mar-ee-yo-sup!”
All those times, Mama was pleading to the Big, Mighty Three. The Holy Family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
-30-
Prompt for Friday Writings: The Power of Three.
Nothing like calling in the big guns! :)
ReplyDeletehahah, that’s one way of looking at it.
DeleteLove this tale of 'three' ... a peek inside your life / past.
ReplyDeleteCool, Helen!
DeleteOh. Yeah, it would have taken me a long time to figure that out, too.
ReplyDeletehahahaha
DeleteThis was such an enjoyable read. Fun and nostalgia dancing together, letting us glimpse into the story of you (and you mom). I wonder if you say “Hay-zeus-mar-ee-yo-sup!” as an adult?
ReplyDeleteThis morning, the Husband spilled his cereal on him. He felt much better when I said Hay-zeus-mar-ee-yo-sup.
DeleteI love this and mama's remedy. Honest to goodness I say that too with an addition: Jesus, Mary, Mother & Joseph. Don't know why. But I'm always breaking glasses. Enjoyed your trinity and thanks for visiting me.
ReplyDelete❤️
DeleteShe was a beautiful lady! I need to memorize this....sounds better than what I say! lol
ReplyDeleteWe probably say the same thing, Diane, hahah.
DeleteI love to say 'Jesus, Mary and Joseph' in an Irish accent!
ReplyDeleteI think I heard Jesus, Mary, and Joseph being said in an Irish movie that got me to realizing what Mama was saying.
DeleteWhat a lovely reminiscence you share with us. And I adore the photo, is that your mum? Such elegance! They need to bring balloon sleeves back! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, that was Mama when she was 56 years old. Filipinos call the sleeves Maria Clara sleeves. Mama wore them well. I look ridiculous in them, lol.
DeleteThat fake spitting to ward off evil happens here as well .. wonder where it all came from!!!
ReplyDeleteI found an article in which the author said it began with the Greeks.
DeleteYes, agree with Rosemary, nothing like calling in the big guns.
ReplyDeleteThe fake spitting thing, our culture (at least the older folks) practise it too. :)
I had no idea the three fake spits thing was so universal. I wonder which culture brought it to the Philippines, or whether it was an indigenous thing.
DeleteHa....My grandmother used to say that....but it sounds different in French:)
ReplyDeleteI had to go listen to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in French. I imagined it being said fiercely, still sounded nice in my head. lol
DeleteShe sounds full of spirit!
ReplyDeleteShe was!
DeleteWhat a wonderful mixed-up phrase memory! I love it. Our family has a few of those, and once you figure them out, you never want to change them to the real thing. "Hay-zeus-mar-ee-yo-sup" is perfect just the way it is!
ReplyDeleteYou said it, Helen. 😃
DeleteReminds me of my childhood and the things my mom said and did... though I did learn to swear in Spanish that way too (she thought I was out of earshot when she did it).
ReplyDeleteSame here. In Ilocano though. Mama was pretty creative with her swear words.
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