Said is dead

[SepiaAndDust]

Were you taught to not use the word said as a dialogue tag? Do you routinely dig through a thesaurus to find unusual replacements for said? Have you ever considered using he ejaculated instead?

Is said dead?

[SepiaAndDust]

My recommendation is to avoid all dialogue tags except when necessary. Use beats, instead.

John ran through the house, outrunning his brothers and skidding in his socks around every corner. "I love waxing day!"

Everybody was shouting, demanding answers, but Betty was the one who approached with a heart-shaped box of toffee. "Take one, honey."

For what tag to use when a tag is necessary, I usually go with said unless some other word is the right word. Sometimes whispered, often asked or replied, and occasionally even bellowed.

Ejaculated is somewhat lower on the list.