kandy
12th September 2007, 18:46
Usage in Great Britain
The word **** still mainly remains the one word in the English language that is considered more offensive than **** - this can be largely attributed to its history as a misogynist instrument, a history that elevates its offensiveness above that of rival "four-letter words".
However, the term **** is often used, primarily by members of the working class, as a term of endearment. Particularly in the south of england, around the Essex and London Area. Context and tone usually show the distinction between the word being used as a term of endearment or it being used pejoratively.
[edit] Usage in Ireland
**** is used extensively in Ireland in a non-derogatory way to simply refer to a person when no insult is intended. For example, "Any **** kens [knows] that!" or "That poor old **** was just minding his business when the bus ran over him" or "there's no **** here," to mean "there's no one here. "There is also the diminutive "****een".
However, to address someone as **** with no words added to indicate any warmth between people, eg. "hey ****", "c'mere (come here) ****" would be considered very aggressive. As in many other countries it is the context of the words use that makes the difference.
[edit] Usage in Australia
In Australia the use of the word "****" has never been prevelant in "polite society" and was a sign that the user hailed from the country or the "lower classes". It is quite out of fashion in most Australian society and there is a good chance it will make the hearer uncomfortable. It is much less acceptable in mixed company and is generally used in the city with an element of bravado or irony. It is sometimes used as a term of endearment between friends: "Hey, ya ****ing good ****." or "You know me mate, I'm just a big ****.". Occasionally it is used to describe inanimate objects or activities such as "That car's a ****" or "That's one **** of a job you're doing there, mate.", or to describe situations: "Well this is a **** of a mess we've gotten into.". It is however also used as an offensive insult, for example "I'll go you, you ****" or "you dumb ****". Such usage will probably risk either reprimand, ostracism or a fight depending on the location.
[edit] Usage in the United States
While a small cohort of Americans are aware of the term's much reduced offensiveness in Ireland and Australia, the word **** remains in America the one word that is so offensive as to be customarily unspeakable. The usage is quite different from other English-speaking countries; in the United States the word solely refers to a woman's genitals or to the woman herself. It is typically used hatefully to refer to the woman herself: "I'm going to kill that **** for cheating on me." Referring to the vulva, it is rarely but occasionally used by men telling tales: "And then she spread out that **** for me." The word is rarely used in mixed company.
[edit] Referring to inanimate objects
**** is used extensively in Australia, Ireland and also in some parts of Scotland as a replacement noun, more commonly among males and the working classes, similar to the use of mother****er or son of a bitch among some Americans in extremely casual settings. For instance, "The **** won't start," in reference to an automobile; or "Pass me that ****," meaning "Pass me that item I need"; or "Those ****s down the road," referring to people in the vicinity. When used in this sense, the word does not necessarily imply contempt nor is it necessarily intended to be offensive. [citation needed]
The word **** still mainly remains the one word in the English language that is considered more offensive than **** - this can be largely attributed to its history as a misogynist instrument, a history that elevates its offensiveness above that of rival "four-letter words".
However, the term **** is often used, primarily by members of the working class, as a term of endearment. Particularly in the south of england, around the Essex and London Area. Context and tone usually show the distinction between the word being used as a term of endearment or it being used pejoratively.
[edit] Usage in Ireland
**** is used extensively in Ireland in a non-derogatory way to simply refer to a person when no insult is intended. For example, "Any **** kens [knows] that!" or "That poor old **** was just minding his business when the bus ran over him" or "there's no **** here," to mean "there's no one here. "There is also the diminutive "****een".
However, to address someone as **** with no words added to indicate any warmth between people, eg. "hey ****", "c'mere (come here) ****" would be considered very aggressive. As in many other countries it is the context of the words use that makes the difference.
[edit] Usage in Australia
In Australia the use of the word "****" has never been prevelant in "polite society" and was a sign that the user hailed from the country or the "lower classes". It is quite out of fashion in most Australian society and there is a good chance it will make the hearer uncomfortable. It is much less acceptable in mixed company and is generally used in the city with an element of bravado or irony. It is sometimes used as a term of endearment between friends: "Hey, ya ****ing good ****." or "You know me mate, I'm just a big ****.". Occasionally it is used to describe inanimate objects or activities such as "That car's a ****" or "That's one **** of a job you're doing there, mate.", or to describe situations: "Well this is a **** of a mess we've gotten into.". It is however also used as an offensive insult, for example "I'll go you, you ****" or "you dumb ****". Such usage will probably risk either reprimand, ostracism or a fight depending on the location.
[edit] Usage in the United States
While a small cohort of Americans are aware of the term's much reduced offensiveness in Ireland and Australia, the word **** remains in America the one word that is so offensive as to be customarily unspeakable. The usage is quite different from other English-speaking countries; in the United States the word solely refers to a woman's genitals or to the woman herself. It is typically used hatefully to refer to the woman herself: "I'm going to kill that **** for cheating on me." Referring to the vulva, it is rarely but occasionally used by men telling tales: "And then she spread out that **** for me." The word is rarely used in mixed company.
[edit] Referring to inanimate objects
**** is used extensively in Australia, Ireland and also in some parts of Scotland as a replacement noun, more commonly among males and the working classes, similar to the use of mother****er or son of a bitch among some Americans in extremely casual settings. For instance, "The **** won't start," in reference to an automobile; or "Pass me that ****," meaning "Pass me that item I need"; or "Those ****s down the road," referring to people in the vicinity. When used in this sense, the word does not necessarily imply contempt nor is it necessarily intended to be offensive. [citation needed]