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Original poster

Is bloody hell swearing?

97 replies

Namechangeforthisonenow · 04/08/2022 20:15

I think it's a soft swear word but DH says it's not swearing at all.

Just wondering what the majority think?

(I'm not comparing with other swear words fyi)

OP posts:
vdbfamily · 04/08/2022 23:17

yes.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/08/2022 23:29

TailSpinner · 04/08/2022 22:16

My parents use to say it was a swear word… until Harry Potter at which point it wasn’t lol

It’s not really in the books though is it? I think it’s a film thing. I always think they did that because it’s what American’s expect British people, including children, to speak like - the screen writer is American.
I definitely don’t expect young kids to say it in real life. If a teacher can’t say it in front of their class - and I really don’t think they would say ‘bloody hell’ in front of their class - then it’s not appropriate for kids to say either in my opinion. Whether that makes it a ‘swear word’ I’m not sure.

It's definitely in one of the later ones. DD1's friends from churchy families were banned from reading them as a result.

notnownorma · 04/08/2022 23:30

It absolutely is swearing but at the milder end.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/08/2022 23:32

buzzy06 · 04/08/2022 22:00

No it's not! Kids would be reprimanded at school for saying bloody hell and quite rightly so as it's a swear word.

Kids aren't reprimanded for exclaiming bloody hell. What, do you think they're given detention for that? The teacher will probably muster an 'oi, Charlie, alright now'.

No, it's not a swear word anymore than 'shoot' is a swear.

In ds's secondary school they would be reprimanded.

Bubbafly · 04/08/2022 23:32

God No, wouldn’t be swearing in my book. Mildest of the mild Ned Flanders mixed with Laura Ingalls swearing.

ThomasinaGallico · 04/08/2022 23:52

Sort of. It’s old fashioned and considered mild in most places these days but I still wouldn’t use it in church, primary school or in front of your Great Aunt Brenda.

(To be fair the primary school kids would probably take the P if you did.)

buzzy06 · 05/08/2022 07:29

In ds's secondary school they would be reprimanded.

In mine they wouldn't, and I was in secondary not that long ago (<10y). But do you mean detention, like for saying fuck, or just being told not to? I still don't think it's swearing, though I'm sure it was in the past.

Just don't see who cares now, like crap, nobody is censoring it or anything but your teacher might tell you not too because it's not 'professional' so could be a bad habit

Clawdy · 05/08/2022 07:42

"Bloomin' 'eck!" was the mild version of "Bloody hell!" when I was little.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/08/2022 08:21

buzzy06 · 05/08/2022 07:29

In ds's secondary school they would be reprimanded.

In mine they wouldn't, and I was in secondary not that long ago (<10y). But do you mean detention, like for saying fuck, or just being told not to? I still don't think it's swearing, though I'm sure it was in the past.

Just don't see who cares now, like crap, nobody is censoring it or anything but your teacher might tell you not too because it's not 'professional' so could be a bad habit

Not a detention first time but it wouldn't happen twice .

elQuintoConyo · 05/08/2022 08:59

No.

Is bloody hell swearing?
ImShrunk · 05/08/2022 09:09

It's not a swear word is it. If I say bloody, no problem. If I say hell, no problem. If I combine the two, problem? It's an exclamation from a bygone era.

howshouldibehave · 05/08/2022 09:12

A question for those who say it absolutely isn’t a swear word. Would you be more than happy for me to use it at work as an exclamation when teaching your KS1 aged-child?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/08/2022 09:14

howshouldibehave · 05/08/2022 09:12

A question for those who say it absolutely isn’t a swear word. Would you be more than happy for me to use it at work as an exclamation when teaching your KS1 aged-child?

I was just about to post the same.

cliffdiver · 05/08/2022 09:19

This thread reminds me of an episode of The Vicar of Dibley, where Owen is arguing with the rest of the parish council that "Bloody bloody isn't swearing."

ihatebojo · 05/08/2022 10:15

I would say it informally but I wouldn't say it at work, nor would I appreciate my kids saying it.

My parents would definitely raise their eyebrow if I said it in front of their grandchildren.

It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that Babette Cole used the word 'fart' in Doctor Dog. I still feel a bit giddy when I read it!

Scepticalwotsits · 05/08/2022 10:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Scepticalwotsits · 05/08/2022 10:18

the above is sarcasm for those who get offended

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 05/08/2022 10:46

I wouldn't let my DD say it but we have said worse around her so I suppose that's a contradiction. She asked me if she could say it when some arsehole nicked her bag and tried to use her go Henry and I said yes on that occasion Grin

ImShrunk · 05/08/2022 10:53

A question for those who say it absolutely isn’t a swear word. Would you be more than happy for me to use it at work as an exclamation when teaching your KS1 aged-child?

Yes please

RebeccaCloud9 · 05/08/2022 10:58

I'd say it in front of my own kids (especially in a faux northern accent!) but not in my classroom. Soft swear.

itssquidstella · 05/08/2022 11:39

I’m a secondary school teacher. I would reprimand a pupil I heard say it, but in a mild, jocular way (more a "watch your language" than a "how very dare you!" vibe). I wouldn't say it to a class of KS3/4 pupils but I wouldn't feel bad if it slipped out in front of my sixth formers.

Anothernamechangeplease · 05/08/2022 11:41

Yes, I would class it as swearing, but on the mild end.

I don't have any issue with swearing, though - they're just words. Swearing at someone is offensive, but otherwise, I can never really see what the fuss is about!

Johnnysgirl · 05/08/2022 11:44

upinaballoon · 04/08/2022 21:05

Bloody is a corruption of 'By my lady', swearing on the name of the Virgin Mary. It is swearing and it is blasphemy.

It is, yes. It's not regarded as offensive any more, but it's still swearing.

Topseyt123 · 05/08/2022 11:49

It was considered swearing when I was growing up in the seventies and early eighties.

Not now though. I don't consider it such. I just consider it a fairly satisfying expletive. I also call a fart a fart too, and I know some people might clutch their pearls at that too. I don't care though.

Blanketpolicy · 05/08/2022 12:38

Another 70s/80s child and bloody hell, jesus christ, for gods sake, etc were all considered swearing, blasphemous, disrespectful or offensive and would be reprimanded.

With a catholic mum and protestant dad who raised in a Scottish city pretty much split by religion I guess it was understandable!

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