The Echo Curse

The Echo Curse: Why I Say “Shit” When Someone Says “Fuck”

By Caleb P.

Okay, so let’s talk about something real. You ever hear someone say “fuck” and suddenly your mouth just blurts out “shit”? No thinking, no planning—it just pops out like a reflex?

Yeah. That’s me. And honestly? I think it’s kind of badass.

What’s Actually Happening?

I’m autistic. And my brain is a master of patterns, rhythm, and emotional energy. When someone swears—especially with strong emotion—my system picks up on the vibe and instantly wants to match it.

It’s like my nervous system says: “Oh, that was intense! Matching energy now…” and boom: shit. Instant echo. No hesitation.

This is a combo of:

• Pattern completion – My brain hears the start of a “swear sequence” and feels like it needs to finish it.
• Emotional mirroring – I soak up the emotion in the room and reflect it back in my own way.
• Verbal stimming – Saying certain words just feels good. The sharpness, the rhythm, the sound—it’s satisfying.

And yeah, I know not everyone gets that. But for me, it’s natural. It’s expressive. It’s part of how I move through the world.

Do I Want to Stop It?

Absolutely not. This is me. I don’t mask this. It’s not harmful, it’s not hurting anyone, and honestly? It feels kind of like a superpower.

It’s how I engage with language. It’s how I stay in sync with a moment. It’s my own unique flavor of communication—and I’m not toning it down for anyone.

Note to Neurotypicals:

This isn’t rudeness. It’s not sarcasm or mockery. It’s my autistic brain doing what it does best: responding quickly, instinctively, and emotionally. If my “shit” follows your “fuck,” it’s because I felt what you were putting down. It’s a form of connection—not conflict.

A Shoutout to My Crew

To Miranda, Devon, and John—you’ve always had my back when I’m just being me, even when that “me” includes a little profanity echo magic. Thanks for seeing me, not just my reactions. Y’all are real ones.

Final Thought:

So yeah, I say “shit” after “fuck.” Call it The Echo Curse. Call it Verbal Reflex Mode. Call it whatever. I call it autistic brilliance.

Stay weird. Stay honest. And never apologize for the way your brain works.

— Caleb, the Quiet Fighter