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Original poster

To ask what a 'numpty' is where you live and if it's offensive?

219 replies

Eeepsh · 11/04/2024 13:08

Around here (South East) it means being a bit of a twit and is usually used with affection but I use it about my son and someone from East Anglia area was horrified!

Just wondering if it's a regional thing.

OP posts:
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5
MellowHare · 13/04/2024 19:08

I’m East Anglia and defo not offensive! I’d use it when someone’s done something silly/daft…

Garlicked · 13/04/2024 19:03

hagchic · 11/04/2024 13:12

Just remember - some people work very hard at being offended.

I had a post on here deleted for "you numpty" 🙄 And another one for "a bit of a nitwit"!

If I genuinely wanted to insult a PP, there's an arsenal of invective at my disposal, some of which would probably merit deletion.

Just off to find someone I can call a silly billy, see how offended they get 😏

downbutnotouttake969 · 13/04/2024 19:00

Depends how it is said and who too.
'You Numpty' not offensive when used to a person who is being a bit silly.

'They're a fucking Numpty' to someone about someone else, that could be offensive to the idiot/numpty

South West UK

Otherstories2002 · 13/04/2024 18:57

DoreenonTill8 · 13/04/2024 18:40

Why?

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Its definition is “idiot”. It’s using a disability as an insult.

google, there’s loads of writing from people within the disability community who explain why using words to describe disabilities as insults is so problematic.

remembe · 13/04/2024 18:55

User284725 · 13/04/2024 18:43

I personally think it doesn't mean silly or foolish, it means thick or stupid. Usually only used to call oneself a numpty, or another adult lightheartedly. Personally, I have been known to call my own kids stupid etc, but I definitely wouldn't expect a teacher/nursery worker/other adult to call my kids a numpty anymore than I'd think it was acceptable for them to call them and idiot. So if your child is very young, I could definitely see why someone would be shocked.

Where you live. Numerous Scottish posters have suggested otherwise. In fact does anyone from Scotland, where this word is from, actually find it offensive?

User284725 · 13/04/2024 18:43

I personally think it doesn't mean silly or foolish, it means thick or stupid. Usually only used to call oneself a numpty, or another adult lightheartedly. Personally, I have been known to call my own kids stupid etc, but I definitely wouldn't expect a teacher/nursery worker/other adult to call my kids a numpty anymore than I'd think it was acceptable for them to call them and idiot. So if your child is very young, I could definitely see why someone would be shocked.

Sealtheenvelope · 13/04/2024 18:43

Bellaboo01 · 11/04/2024 14:27

Thats interesting - why would your child find calling them 'special' more offensive that calling them 'numpty'!?

There are plenty of people in my life that i refer to as special to me and i hope that they aren't offended by that. My child/Nieces/ Nephew for example is my 'special little boy/girl' If i called them 'A numpty' then everyone i know i think would find that an odd way to speak.

Cards i buy quite often say - 'to a special boy/ girl'. I've yet to come across one that says 'to a numpty'!

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Here you go

To ask what a 'numpty' is where you live and if it's offensive?
DoreenonTill8 · 13/04/2024 18:40

Otherstories2002 · 13/04/2024 18:34

It’s an ableist slur. It’s absolutely offensive.

Why?

Otherstories2002 · 13/04/2024 18:34

It’s an ableist slur. It’s absolutely offensive.

ShortColdandGrey · 13/04/2024 18:07

Scotland, and it is not offensive.

MILLYmo0se · 13/04/2024 18:02

Berlinlover · 11/04/2024 13:11

I live in the west of Ireland, that word isn’t used here at all.

My OH refers to N plates on a car as 'numpty plates' 😁

nickelbabe · 13/04/2024 17:49

Having said that, it really depends on the tone.
If you say it in anger, it's a strong (and bloody well deserved) insult. But again, not offensive

nickelbabe · 13/04/2024 17:47

Eaat midlands: being totally daft.

Definitely not offensive

DianaTaverner · 12/04/2024 10:57

Hoppinggreen · 12/04/2024 10:46

Like Cunt?

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Like "numpty", some people will accept being called a cunt in the lighthearted affectionate spirit that's intended and some won't. The difference is in the percentage split.

Hoppinggreen · 12/04/2024 10:46

Bellaboo01 · 12/04/2024 09:20

You might see saying it as 'affectionate' but, the person on the receiving end might not. You say that you use the word 'numpty' to someone to make them feel better? There are a lot of other words you could use.

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Like Cunt?

walkerscrispsarethenuts · 12/04/2024 10:08

It's an affectionate alternative to the word wally.

tigger1001 · 12/04/2024 09:53

"You might see saying it as 'affectionate' but, the person on the receiving end might not. You say that you use the word 'numpty' to someone to make them feel better? There are a lot of other words you could use."

And some people just go out of their way to be offended. It's very true - you can't give offence, just take it.

Where I am, the word numpty is used on a daily basis. By all age groups. And quite often aimed at themselves.

Newname71 · 12/04/2024 09:35

I’m in Wales. It’s not offensive here either, more an affectionate term for someone a bit silly

Bellaboo01 · 12/04/2024 09:34

shoppingshamed · 11/04/2024 16:01

Goodness, you must be trying hard to misunderstand

My point is that no one's life chancea are determined by affectionate ribbing as a child but I guess you never called your children silly billies or daft sausages either, they are all if the same level

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No you are right - i've never called my children (or anyone) a 'daft sausage'!

JaninaDuszejko · 12/04/2024 09:31

Numpty is Scottish, is not derived from an offensive term and is very affectionate. It's a loving acknowledgement that you've done something a bit silly.

Special on the other hand is definitely becoming offensive l and my kids would think I was taking the piss if I called them 'my special boy/girl'. I suppose because the historic terms for people with learning difficulties (e.g. from the UK Mental Deficiency Act of 1913: idiot, imbecile, feeble minded. Or the even older terms like cretin, moron, retarded) have become offensive the terms change (so we now have e.g. SEN) and they then become offensive themselves. Ha, there's a term for it: The Euphemism Treadmill.

Bellaboo01 · 12/04/2024 09:20

SmallFY · 11/04/2024 16:22

South East/London also and numpty is in no way offensive.

Always said in an affectionate way by me. Sort of to make someone feel better about making an easy mistake like anyone can.

If I was stressed/angry then numpty wouldn't be the word I'd choose.

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You might see saying it as 'affectionate' but, the person on the receiving end might not. You say that you use the word 'numpty' to someone to make them feel better? There are a lot of other words you could use.

TorroFerney · 12/04/2024 07:27

Hoppinggreen · 11/04/2024 16:54

Possibly, where would you rank Pillock?

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Ooh now - probably in between, could be used affectionately. But more of being a dope, wazzock is more a comment on the persons character ie not nice.

springblosso · 11/04/2024 22:37

Spirallingdownwards · 11/04/2024 13:13

East Anglia here. Definitely same meaning as you and the person from East Anglia who was horrified/offended must be a bit of a numpty if they think it is offensive or horrifying!

Wink
jackstini · 11/04/2024 20:58

Nottinghamshire - quite an affectionate term for being a bit naive and clueless
I use it quite a lot! )mostly about myself)

SmallFY · 11/04/2024 20:48

Londoner and say 'Wazzock' a lot.

In my mind it's a harder insult than numpty.

It's sort of how I say twat without swearing.

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