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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
maybenow · 18/04/2012 21:18

i would only use 'little shits' for really really bad behaviour - kids in the park beating up another one, or throwing stones at windows, or stealing bikes, pushing old people over, setting fire to bins, i don't know... but really really nasty behaviour that would be criminal were they older.

Miggsie · 18/04/2012 21:22

I remember the following conversation between DH and his mum about DH's younger brother:
MIL: "X is having problems at work again"
DH: "That's because he's a total shit."
MIL: "I don't understand it, he was such a lovely lad."
DH: "No mum, he was a little shit, and now he's a big shit"
MIL: "He was sensitive"
MIL turns to DH's Sister...
MIL: "You agree don't you, X was a lovely boy."
SIL: "No mum, he was a little shit."

Sometimes, it just works.

Annpan88 · 18/04/2012 21:30

We've always referred to DS as a little bugger. Never said with any malice.

I think children suffer with worse plights than affectionately being called a bugger. But everyone's different.

scuzy · 18/04/2012 21:47

well Madamemessy you wouldnt want to come around my neck of the woods then cos its a very irish thing to say. we can agree to disagree.

Lilka · 18/04/2012 21:50

My siblings and I were always referred to as 'little buggers' and I say it about my kids sometimes. Most poeple I know use it. I think of it as an affectionate thing to say about a mischievious/naughty child

Little shit I don't really likem, and as for sexy little bitch Shock :( Angry

MissBetsyTrotwood · 18/04/2012 21:56

I walked behind a mum and her two DCs on the way home from school yesterday. She'd just picked them up and was holding a large 'scrap model' made out of cardboard boxes by her very young DD. She was saying to her 'Why do I have to carry this piece of shit home? What the fuck is this thing anyway?' Sad

I'd never call my kids 'little shits' or 'little buggers' to their faces but I don't see the problem in doing it while talking about them to DH and they're out of earshot.

MrsBovary · 18/04/2012 21:56

I know of somebody who's always using "Little Shit" (and other equally lovely expressions) to describe her dc. Usually in reference to bed-wetting incidents.

I don't know if it's something said in front of the child. I hope not.

"Little bugger" seems much milder, somehow.

Bingdweller · 18/04/2012 22:05

YANBU, we have wee monkeys in my house. Shits & buggers aint nice. Out of earshot is another matter though...... Then anything goes!

Meglet · 18/04/2012 22:11

I only call mine those names well out of earshot.

I've never sworn in front of them but behind their backs / closed doors my language can be rather colourful.

ReshapeWhileDamp · 18/04/2012 22:16

Is it ok if the little bugger in question has been up half the night and I would rather like him to go back to sleep and let me have some, too?

OP, surely it's all in the way it's said (and certainly not to the child's face Shock)? Both my parents call my younger son (16 months) a little bugger very affectionately. It's never crossed my mind that this is offensive. It's said in private, in affection and certainly not accrimoniously.

ButteryBiscuitBase · 18/04/2012 22:30

Yanbu I was going to post something similar a week ago but got distracted! I know a couple of girls who refer to their dd's as little bitches or cowbags or little shits, makes me cringe!

I also agree about slogans on boys clothes whoever said that, stuff like o to naughty in 60 seconds, here comes troubles, little monster. No thanks.

Original poster
helloclitty · 18/04/2012 22:33

butterybiscuitbase
Totally agree.

And equally girls slogan t shirts with princess or something equally as nauseating is a no no too!

OP posts:
RachelWalsh · 18/04/2012 22:56

What about git? That gets used in this house, as in don't be a grumpy git etc. git seems kind of comedic and affectionate to me.

Little bitch or little shit seem much nastier, we wouldn't say that. Little bitch is awful actually, I'd be really revolted to hear that.

ButteryBiscuitBase · 18/04/2012 23:04

I personally just want to dress ds in a plain bright white babygro til he is at least 18!

ButteryBiscuitBase · 18/04/2012 23:05

Oh and worst girls slogan I saw was wannabe wag! Wtf!

FarelyKnuts · 18/04/2012 23:16

Think the irish thing uses you wee begger more than bugger but that could be accent and it just kind of got changed. It is definately used alot in my neck of the woods and with absolutely no malice either

WhaleOilBeefHookedIWill · 18/04/2012 23:39

I don't get how people object to people calling children sexy (which is of course wrong and vile) but calling a child a bugger is fair game. Let's not forget the true meaning of the word bugger

Birdsgottafly · 19/04/2012 00:30

Little bugger to a kids face though really?

Someone else has said it up the thread, but that is an affectionate term in some parts of Ireland, my DH's family use it, passed on from his, none swearing loving mother.

Depends on how it is said.

Original poster
helloclitty · 19/04/2012 06:59

wannabe wag on a kids t shirt.....nice.

birdsgottafly

I know some people say it 'affectionately' but I still think it's totally vile. I just don't understand how it could possibly be a nice term. It's like saying 'you little fucker' affectionately to me. It's just not affectionate.

OP posts:
somewherewest · 19/04/2012 07:04

The Irish are much more relaxed about swear words generally, which still catches me out sometimes living in the UK. I remember explaining to an English friend once that it was possible to say 'fuck off' affectionately.

TheCountessOlenska · 19/04/2012 07:18

Hmm - this thread has made me think actually . . . . I am very relaxed about swearing and probably have said "oooh you bugger!" in an affectionate way when bitten on the boob (for example Grin )

But I hate the idea of being lumped in by people who would call their little girls bitches and cowbags Sad I think those words are awful

everlong · 19/04/2012 07:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mayisout · 19/04/2012 07:33

Any discussion of a child in their hearing used to really annoy me.

eg 'He hasn't learnt a thing in that wummun's class' about school.
'She won't touch vegetables or fruit' as if it's some remarkable achievement.
'He/she'll be the death of me.' 'he/she wears me out'.

Things that parents say have a big influence on kids. They really should be careful.

TheFallenMadonna · 19/04/2012 07:36

As usual, it's not about the actual vocab, but all about the context in which it's used. I think children do see the bigger picture, even if someone listening in on a fragment of conversation doesn't.

AngryBeaver · 19/04/2012 07:50

I don't like little shit,it does jar on me. One stupid cow mum told me her son (5) was being " a right gobshite"....I nearly fell over my jaw

I wouldn't say little bugger within earshot,but do occasionally say it to dh when he comes home " dc1 was a little monter/bugger/imp/horror"

We llive in NZ and it is not seen as a swear word at all. They use it on the radio,tv,adverts...there is an insect spray called "Bugger off"!Grin

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