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AIBU?

aibu to wonder why a tinkers cuss is worse than say...a tailors cuss?

5 replies

Tortington · 11/09/2011 14:58

i think this is cussist?

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Scootergrrrl · 11/09/2011 14:59

Or tinkerist?

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/09/2011 15:00

Tinker's cuss... surely, if we're being pedantic?

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BedHog · 11/09/2011 15:13

'A tinker's damn is a British expression of contempt for something considered insignificant. In common usage, the expression is used this way: "I don't give a tinker's damn what the Vicar thinks", or sometimes shortened to, "I don't give a tinker's about the Vicar." In this context, the speaker is expressing contempt for the local clergyman and his opinion. A tinker's curse was considered of little significance because tinkers were reputed to swear habitually.' (Wikipedia)

However, if we're comparing cusses of tinkers, tailors, soldiers and spies, I would have thought a soldiers cuss would be equally prolific, hence the term 'swearing like a trooper'.

The term 'tinker' being a slang term for an Irish traveller (unsure of the level of offensiveness as it's not a term I've heard for many years) and the current most famous traveller being Paddy 'Big Brother winner' Doherty - a man who rarely swore and referred to people as 'sausages' - leads me to believe that the proliferance of 'tinkers cusses' has been overestimated.

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/09/2011 16:38

Of course, worst of all is 'tinker's custard'.... that's truly offensive.

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Tortington · 11/09/2011 18:23

tinkers custard? would be fucking good custard me things Wink

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