Is 'arse' a swear word?

Shrews · September 2023

Really?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66709282

I'm no fan of the Tories, but come on, there's surely no need for an apology here. Ron Weasley used piss, bloody and tosser in Harry Potter! Must be a slow news day.

Bad swear words
Cunt
Fuck/Fucker
Cocksucker
Motherfucker
Wanker
Twat

Moderate swear words

Bollocks
Bastard
Shag
Cock
Spunk
Dick
Shit
Fanny

Former swear words, but not really nowadays
Tosser
Pillock
Bitch
Tits
Bellend
Slut/Slag
Arse/Arsehole
Prick
Knobhead
Bloody
Plonker
Wally
Crap
Piss
Goolies

No sniggering at the back. Come on, you're better than that!

Offset · September 2023

No it isn't. But she preceded it with the word 'fucking', which is.

stickyfiddle · September 2023

I would move wanker and twat down a grade. Probably also shag and spunk (who ever says spunk any more?!)

merlin · September 2023

I am partial to using the word "dullard" when the situation really, really calls for it. Otherwise and in polite company I'm more inclined to use less offensive words.

fretmeister · September 2023

Bollocks can just be an expression of disappointment.

There was even a court case about it. Something trivial. IIRC it was a footy player who used the word and was done for swearing at the ref. It was appealed and ended up in a court.

Kittyfrisk · September 2023

The original & best

https://dangerousminds.net/comments/rumpole_novelist_john_mortimer_defends_sex_pistols_in_bollocks_trial_1977

springhead · September 2023

Bollocks is multi functional. It can also mean something very good, eg “that’s the bollox”, or indeed “dogs bollox”. Must be very confusing learning English as a foreign language.

nero1701 · September 2023

Context

Kilgore · September 2023

nero1701 said:

Context

I'm fairly certain that's not a swear word.

scrumhalf · September 2023

Kilgore said:

nero1701 said:

Context

I'm fairly certain that's not a swear word.

It might be if the last three letters are silent.

Kilgore · September 2023

scrumhalf said:

Kilgore said:

nero1701 said:

Context

I'm fairly certain that's not a swear word.

It might be if the last three letters are silent.

They should speak up and not let the other letters get away with it.

CoffeeAndTV · September 2023

Pillock is a mild, lesser used word you don’t hear as much. It’s one of my mothers favourite words.

I remember my mum describing someone’s daughter as a “scrubber” to their mum without knowing it was an insult once and my dad having to step in. English isn’t her first language.

guitars4you · September 2023

missed pleb of the above list

Offset · September 2023

scrumhalf said:

Kilgore said:

nero1701 said:

Context

I'm fairly certain that's not a swear word.

It might be if the last three letters are silent.

...and if you're from Ireland perhaps...

darthed1981 · September 2023

You missed that all the top items on your list are synonyms for "Tory".

west · September 2023

No but feltch might be ....

proggy · September 2023

I wouldn't say 'twat' is a swear word, it's another word for idiot.

richardhomer · September 2023

Nothing to add really but congrats to the OP for an excellent thread.

tone1 · September 2023

https://youtu.be/mzgT-fg01vY?si=lF5bgi3jZL76w8XU

Sassafras · September 2023

Twat should be downgraded.
As in: I'm gonna twat the shit outta that cocksucker

gusman2x · September 2023

Twats pretty bad Fairly sure it’s another word for vag

Headphones · September 2023

Either way it put someone you've never heard of on the map - and probably in a positive light.

A spin doctor's dream. Now that's swearing!

Offset · September 2023

nero1701 said:

Cuntext

Fixed it for ya.

viz · September 2023

I think slut and slag are an awful lot worse than some of your middle set. As in, they are used in a much nastier way.

Bellycaster · September 2023

General Melchett Mumble by Aldrin - Movellas

No, but "Crevice" is.

Dominic · September 2023

She's gone up 100 % in my opinion

beed84 · September 2023

https://youtu.be/s_osQvkeNRM?si=CPsiMQqb1iyIHU_-

https://youtu.be/XfeMP4h8dhM?si=Y1K1YYJs-WiU2XHv

swiller · September 2023

arse is not a swear word. No.
Like whats up, how are you.. "good evening , whats arse?" is a perfectly acceptable and arguably more relevant greeting that also inspires more detailed answers from the recipient of the greeting.

richardhomer · September 2023

Dominic said:

She's gone up 100 % in my opinion

Same here. Though she was starting from an unbelievably low base…

RobDavies · September 2023

Prick is top tier these days.

Funkfingers · September 2023

The etymology of the word Arse is Germanic, via Dutch. There is nothing wrong with the word. The problem is that some British people are still ashamed to openly discuss body parts and bodily functions.

swiller said:

"good evening , whats arse?" is a perfectly acceptable and arguably more relevant greeting.

Acceptable to whom and in what language?

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Is 'arse' a swear word?

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