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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

You scumbag You maggot you cheap lousy…

192 replies

TeaAndToast8 · 20/05/2025 21:51

My second AIBU Of the night, husbands being very argumentative! Anyway, I’ve screenshot two examples of what the Kirsty MacColl might have meant in Fairy Tale of NewYork. Who is correct.. My opinion is the description underlined in red and my husband’s is blue.

You scumbag You maggot you cheap lousy…
OP posts:
ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 20/05/2025 22:28

SapphOhNo · 20/05/2025 22:14

Words change meaning. Everyone knows faggot is a derogatory term for gay men yet seem to want to defend its use to high heavens every Christmas.

Of course we all know that meaning - but it doesn’t make sense in the context of the song.

Original poster
TeaAndToast8 · 20/05/2025 22:28

SapphOhNo · 20/05/2025 22:14

Words change meaning. Everyone knows faggot is a derogatory term for gay men yet seem to want to defend its use to high heavens every Christmas.

I agree! It’s my husband who is trying to convince me that that’s not what they meant in the song. I thought everyone would agree with me but it seems not.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 20/05/2025 22:27

blacksax · 20/05/2025 22:09

So... Americans use one of our words to mean something different in their country. And now we aren't allowed to use the word in its standard usage here because it offends them.

They've managed to get the meaning of 'bum' and 'tramp' wrong as well, and 'arse' and 'ass'. So I think we can safely ignore their interpretations. The twits.

That's before we even get to fanny.

It's an Irish song. McGowan and Finer wanted it to be authentic. Authentic language was used. My DH was from County Clare (where the song was going to be set) faggot and bugger had nothing to do with gay people.

Interesting how some cultures are allowed and others aren't.

3peassuit · 20/05/2025 22:27

You can get them in the freezer isle at my local Tesco.

ConcernedOfClapham · 20/05/2025 22:25

MissConductUS · 20/05/2025 22:22

What I find remarkable about this song is that I had never heard of it until I joined MN, and I’m a native New Yorker.

I’ve got that song in my head now,
which is far more appropriate at this time of year than the other one, so thanks for that Smile

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 20/05/2025 22:25

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/05/2025 22:07

I thought it was “you’ve taped over Taggart”

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣

Original poster
TeaAndToast8 · 20/05/2025 22:24

SwanOfThoseThings · 20/05/2025 22:19

Well, it's a novelty to have this thread in May, not December Xmas Grin

We were watching Who do you think you are, it was filmed in Ireland.. And for some reason the conversation turned into this.

OP posts:
Charliecatpaws · 20/05/2025 22:23

It’s something you eat where I live

Original poster
TeaAndToast8 · 20/05/2025 22:22

ShamrockShenanigans · 20/05/2025 22:21

Anyone else got the song stuck in their head now? 😬🤣

It’s a brilliant song though isn’t it!

OP posts:
Original poster
TeaAndToast8 · 20/05/2025 22:22

Wolfpa · 20/05/2025 22:21

Are you asking about the meaning of the word now or the meaning in the song?

In the song

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 20/05/2025 22:22

What I find remarkable about this song is that I had never heard of it until I joined MN, and I’m a native New Yorker.

ShamrockShenanigans · 20/05/2025 22:21

Anyone else got the song stuck in their head now? 😬🤣

IveGotAnUnusuallyLargePelvisISwear · 20/05/2025 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

In our house it’s you scumbag you maggot you taped over taggart.

Wolfpa · 20/05/2025 22:21

Are you asking about the meaning of the word now or the meaning in the song?

GenderFluid90 · 20/05/2025 22:20

SwanOfThoseThings · 20/05/2025 22:19

Well, it's a novelty to have this thread in May, not December Xmas Grin

A bit of Christmas Froth for the spring 🎅

SwanOfThoseThings · 20/05/2025 22:19

Well, it's a novelty to have this thread in May, not December Xmas Grin

ShamrockShenanigans · 20/05/2025 22:16

Words do definitely change meaning which is when most decent people decide they don't want to use them anymore.

For example the Spastics Society is now known as Scope.

GenderFluid90 · 20/05/2025 22:15

SapphOhNo · 20/05/2025 22:14

Words change meaning. Everyone knows faggot is a derogatory term for gay men yet seem to want to defend its use to high heavens every Christmas.

Exactly 🙄

SapphOhNo · 20/05/2025 22:14

Words change meaning. Everyone knows faggot is a derogatory term for gay men yet seem to want to defend its use to high heavens every Christmas.

GenderFluid90 · 20/05/2025 22:14

blacksax · 20/05/2025 22:09

So... Americans use one of our words to mean something different in their country. And now we aren't allowed to use the word in its standard usage here because it offends them.

They've managed to get the meaning of 'bum' and 'tramp' wrong as well, and 'arse' and 'ass'. So I think we can safely ignore their interpretations. The twits.

No matter what it used to mean or what the Americans changed it too. It's still an offensive term in our community (lgbtq+) so thankfully it's not used as much

ShamrockShenanigans · 20/05/2025 22:12

blacksax · 20/05/2025 22:09

So... Americans use one of our words to mean something different in their country. And now we aren't allowed to use the word in its standard usage here because it offends them.

They've managed to get the meaning of 'bum' and 'tramp' wrong as well, and 'arse' and 'ass'. So I think we can safely ignore their interpretations. The twits.

It was only standard usage if you lived in Ireland.

GenderFluid90 · 20/05/2025 22:11

It's primarily known as an offensive gay slur now. No matter the original meaning

heidyho · 20/05/2025 22:10

Berryslacks · 20/05/2025 22:00

Yes this. My Irish Nan often used to call people ‘lazy little faggots’.

Show quote history

Brilliant 🤣

blacksax · 20/05/2025 22:09

So... Americans use one of our words to mean something different in their country. And now we aren't allowed to use the word in its standard usage here because it offends them.

They've managed to get the meaning of 'bum' and 'tramp' wrong as well, and 'arse' and 'ass'. So I think we can safely ignore their interpretations. The twits.

ShamrockShenanigans · 20/05/2025 22:08

Having said that though, Fairytale of New York is an Irish/American song.

And it's well documented that faggot is a gay slur in America.

They certainly knew that when writing it.

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