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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to absolutely detest the phrase "little shit"

82 replies

helloclitty · 18/04/2012 19:48

or little bugger and to not understand why people seem to think it's OK to use these expressions about their children especially in front of them. It always seems to be said in jest but it never fails to shock me when I hear it. AIBU to think these expressions are vile?

OP posts:

scuzy · 18/04/2012 20:08

boringnickname

boringnickname · 18/04/2012 20:09

When you take the word in context though - bugger is a vile thing to say to a child yet it seems an innocuous word doenst it

scuzy · 18/04/2012 20:09

good point, its the manner. though it wouldnt like little bitch tbh.

scuzy · 18/04/2012 20:10

bugger to me is what ye find up yer nose!!

LikeARollingStone · 18/04/2012 20:10

YANBU.

MorrisZapp · 18/04/2012 20:12

Nope, not wee bitch.

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 18/04/2012 20:13

I'd never say 'Little shit' to a child, but to another adult about a child - yeah, some of them are.

Little Bugger - passes as a term of affection in some places

As with all things, I think it's more tone than the words used.

Original poster

helloclitty · 18/04/2012 20:13

boringnickname

It doesn't seem innocuous to me, but it must do to a lot of people because it's said to children quite a lot. For me it doesn't matter in which manner or accent it's said, I just cringe whenever I hear it. I'm not sure why I just hate it.

OP posts:

EssentialFattyAcid · 18/04/2012 20:14

If anyone called my dd a bitch I would take major exception to it
But is is a word I would never ever use myself about another female, I just think it is derogatory and that using this word is reducing for all women

Proudnscary · 18/04/2012 20:14

My dh and I refer to them as 'little bastards' when they are well out of earshot and we have had enough for the day. It is a lovely, satisfying way to let off steam.

scuzy · 18/04/2012 20:15

have been known to mumble little fucker under breath also

Proudnscary · 18/04/2012 20:15

Essentialfatty - totally, totally, totally agree. Makes me shudder. The funny thing is it is only the word 'bitch', 'cunt' (in humorous context not as a serious insult) doesn't bother me at all. Maybe because in this country it's not an anti female insult.

lolajane2009 · 18/04/2012 20:16

if someone called my son that i'd slap them. yanbu.

MissFaversham · 18/04/2012 20:16

I tell my DS and and his mates to "bugger off" all the time, it's a standing joke in this house and they laugh their heads off.

I also call him other things out of earshot

But to call your child a "little shit" in front of him is wrong. If I hear this I tend to wonder what else the poor mite is called or how they're spoken to

boringnickname · 18/04/2012 20:17

innocuous was probaby a poor choice of word, but for soem reason, bugger seems to be relatively acceptable, but its up there with fuck in terms of actions! worse even! anyway

Original poster

helloclitty · 18/04/2012 20:18

boringnickname

OP posts:

bobbledunk · 18/04/2012 20:20

yabu, little shit is the perfect description for some horribly behaved kids.

MadameMessy · 18/04/2012 20:21

scuzy I'm in Ireland, Id never ever call my kids a "bugger" and I'd be pretty horrified if I heard someone else doing it. In fact, I've only ever heard one person use the word bugger in my whole life, so can't be that common in Ireland.
OP, YANBU. Can't think why you would want to call your dc these names, and if that's what you call them in public, what are they called at home? :(

TattyDevine · 18/04/2012 20:26

One of my neighbours always comes up to me in my driveway and says "he's a bugger isn't he! A real proper boy. Such a little bugger!"

I can't disagree, really!

He's not terribly bad but he's 4 and fairly boisterous

I can't really take offence.

I don't tend to call him a "little shit" but I have been known to say to DH that he's been an "absolute shit"

When he was a week old my DH was dealing with him one night and he said he was "being a shit bag". It was so cute seeing this harrased guy with this squawking scrunchy newborn that I just love the term now.

DD is perfect though, she can do no wrong. Lol. I'm waiting for her to "turn"...

MissFaversham · 18/04/2012 20:33

Ah but I tell him to "bugger off" I don't call him a bugger, its different in my opinion.

Original poster

helloclitty · 18/04/2012 20:39

I think that's it saying "you little shit or bugger" is directly at the child. Bugger off said in jest is different IMO.

OP posts:

Loulabelle83 · 18/04/2012 20:39

YANBU. I don't think this should be said to children at all.
I can understand adults using the phrase whilst in the company of other adults to describe the behaviour of some terribly behaved children.
I also strongly object to people referring to children as "sexy" or "bitch". Totally inappropriate. Children should NEVER be considered as sexy. Beautiful or handsome yes. A person I know used to refer to her DD (under 2 years old) as "sexy little bitch". Makes my blood go cold

Original poster

helloclitty · 18/04/2012 20:41

Loula
That is grotesque!

OP posts:

MadamFolly · 18/04/2012 20:47

Its ok when talking about children to other adults

Its not ok when any children are in earshot

catonlap · 18/04/2012 21:15

Yanbu to not like little shit/bugger, but in my mind there are worse things and it doesn't bother me that much, depending on who it is said to and how it is used.

I remember my grandfather referring to my brother as a little bugger. He said it with a smile after he had done something 'cheeky'. I also have a relative who has referred to her dc as a little shit, not in front of the dc but after he had done something naughty. Had told off the dc in appropriate language and then said 'little shit' to me after dc had returned to play. Both above people are kind and caring towards children and look after them well so I've not really given the comment much thought in those circumstances. Having said that they are not terms I use myself.

A long time back, before I had dc, I lived in quite a rough area where it was standard to hear people on the bus shouting things like "shut the fuck up you fucking little bastard" to their crying toddlers Now that I found really upsetting as said to the child directly and in an aggressive way.

Guess what I'm saying in summary is that I'm with your opinon on not liking/choosing the phrase but, on the other hand I don't think bad of the people I've heard using it in the particular way that they did.

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