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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
Lancrelady80 · 11/04/2024 20:35

Norfolk here...the problem isn't the word "numpty" but the person who took offence.

SwordToFlamethrower · 11/04/2024 20:34

South Yorkshire - "numpty" is on par with "doll's head"

Just means "silly"

Stressedjustthinkingaboutit · 11/04/2024 20:10

Originally from the North West-meaning a bit daft/silly, not offensive, said with affection

labamba007 · 11/04/2024 20:08

North west - a bit silly or naive. Not offensive and often affectionate.

Gettingonmygoat · 11/04/2024 18:08

West of Scotland, means a twit, not offensive.

Slipperfairy · 11/04/2024 17:45

Nw. Not offensive. Similar to 'melt' which I love.

Oblomov24 · 11/04/2024 17:14

Bit of a twit, Surrey, not offensive.

godmum56 · 11/04/2024 17:14

I thought it came from the Scottish "Numpty heid" for empty head

SamBeckett · 11/04/2024 17:00

Hoppinggreen · 11/04/2024 13:46

Yorkshire here and like most other people its not offensive at all, its affectionate.
In fact one of DH's friends went by "Numpt", which was a shortening of it.

I actually prefer "Wazzock" but I think that is exclusively Yorkshire

Edited

Wazzock is a great word and should be used more . My DM used it a lot . Manc to the core .

Hoppinggreen · 11/04/2024 16:54

TorroFerney · 11/04/2024 15:28

Oh now I’d say (east Lancashire )wazzock is a lot harsher, on a par with dickhead.

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Possibly, where would you rank Pillock?

Hoppinggreen · 11/04/2024 16:52

Usernamechange1234 · 11/04/2024 14:21

@Bellaboo01 ‘Sweetie, Lovely, Special - Yes.

Numpty - No!’

Use numpty all the time, South East, honestly don’t know a person who thinks it’s offensive.

However, ‘special’ is definitely considered offensive. My kids say that is a really rude way of talking about someone!

Yeah, Special is a huge insult amongst Da Yoot

DoYouSmokePaul · 11/04/2024 16:46

PawBroon86 · 11/04/2024 15:07

This surprised me when I found out twat could be reasonably offensive, where I am it's on par with numpty (both completely non offensive) although I'm also in an area where being called a cunt can be a positive depending on the context

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Yes, I’m from Scotland and cunt can definitely be used affectionately! “A’right, cunts?” being a standard friendly greeting when meeting up with pals in some circles 😄

Samlewis96 · 11/04/2024 16:28

Essex and exactly as you say. My dad used to use it as a form of endearment to me

chaos76 · 11/04/2024 16:27

Its affectionate in my book as its used all the time in Belfast and in my family and friends its usally said whilst laughing! like wearing odd shoes or just something really accidentally silly

locketrocket · 11/04/2024 16:27

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 11/04/2024 13:21

South Wales. I refer to myself as a numpty quite often, it's when I've done something daft that was avoidable.

I think it's a mild rebuke. We call people 'doilies' here. That's also mild. Grin

South Wales too 😊

Numpty often said with affection around here.

muddyford · 11/04/2024 16:24

East Anglia/Southwest here. It's about the same level of idiocy as pillock, twallop, twit etc. Absolutely not offensive unless taking offence is a hobby.

SamuelDJackson · 11/04/2024 16:24

Scotland - its mild and fairly affectionate, like calling someone a muppet

SmallFY · 11/04/2024 16:22

Bellaboo01 · 11/04/2024 13:11

I live in the South East/ London.

It would generally mean here to be a bit of an idiot/ incompetent and not a nice way to describe someone.

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.

stargirly · 11/04/2024 16:17

scotland, very mild and affectionate way of saying daft or silly, usually would be used for children and certainly not for someone you don’t like

susiedaisy1912 · 11/04/2024 16:16

Means a daft person, usually said with jest or affection

Purpleraiin · 11/04/2024 16:15

Im in the midlands.I view it in the same way as you do OP. My children's grandad used to call them a numpty eveytime they did something silly. My eldest who is autistic has hung on to this word and uses it alot in the same context his grandad used to.
His school had a new building and the headteacher went to multiple wrong classrooms before finding the right one, he explained this to the kids and my son said,' oh you numpty.' He was told it was offensive and given a detention for using the word

Quatty · 11/04/2024 16:13

Means a bit daft and not even remotely offensive… usually affectionate

JudgeJ · 11/04/2024 16:10

Investinmyself · 11/04/2024 15:47

Lancashire - done something a bit daft but without any malice. Mild ribbing not offensive.

Akin to barmpot in Lancashire maybe.

mumof2many1943 · 11/04/2024 16:09

Norfolk here Numpty is an affectionate way of saying daft and said with a smile 😊

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 11/04/2024 16:08

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.

We live in London and it is as you said and IMO it is not a regional thing but possibly someone feeling a precious.

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