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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To deplore the ever-increasing use of the word, butt, when you mean bum?

118 replies

Breadandwine · 28/01/2014 12:22

The proper word for that part of our anatomy is arse, or bum or, in polite society, bottom!

'Butt' is a measly-mouthed substitute creeping more and more into our language.

I mean, "Get up off your arse you lazy scum-bag!" (When addressing your DH.)

Or, "Get up off your bum you lazy scum-bag"

Or, "Get up off your butt you lazy scum-bag!"

Which has the greater impact?

The last is a complete cop-out, folks - and we should object to it every time we hear it or see it!

OP posts:
applepieinthesky · 28/01/2014 12:25

Yes it's the creaping Americanisation of our language. I detest it.

LadyBeagleEyes · 28/01/2014 12:25

I agree, bum and arse are perfectly good British words.
Butt is American. I blame them Wink

applepieinthesky · 28/01/2014 12:26

Creeping even Grin The irony!

OhBuggerandArse · 28/01/2014 12:26

Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum.

It is one of the best words we have. Use it don't lose it!

Bum.

Bum.

Bum.

RalphRecklessCardew · 28/01/2014 12:27

'Mealy-mouthed'? I don't think that means what you think it means.

Iwannalaylikethisforever · 28/01/2014 12:29

Absolutely agree.
Really dislike Americanisms creeping in
But butt is a pain the arse!

ProfessorSkullyMental · 28/01/2014 12:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Iwannalaylikethisforever · 28/01/2014 12:32

Ralph , I wondered about that mealy/measley
Someone I know uses mealy-mouthed... But not measley

RevoltInParadise · 28/01/2014 12:32

I hate it! my son read it in a book and started saying it. we told him off but not quick enough for the three year old to hear it and say 'please can you wipe my butt?' no, I can wipe your bum tho....

hootloop · 28/01/2014 12:32

I say 'get off your backside' am I ok?

Nancy66 · 28/01/2014 12:35

yeah but when Americans say 'fanny' for their arse that's always hilarious.

Going to American and being told 'park your fanny there and I'll be over to take your order' by a waitress is the best.

DameFanny · 28/01/2014 12:37

Yanbu. Also, it's arse. Not ass. Ass is some sort of donkey thing. Arse. Arse.

mrspremise · 28/01/2014 13:10

BUM! runs off giggling

tumbletumble · 28/01/2014 13:13

Meh. Butt, bum, whatever.

Feminine · 28/01/2014 13:15

I lived in the US for years.

For me, it is BUTT all the way.

Sorry op so sorry! Grin

squoosh · 28/01/2014 13:27

I’ve never said ‘butt’, some words like that I can only say if putting on an American accent. Like ‘TOTALLY AWESOME’ or ‘THAT SUCKS’ can only be said Bill & Ted stylee.

It’s ‘bum’ and ‘arse’ for me. ‘Bottom’ always sounds a bit mimsy.

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 28/01/2014 13:30

In the inimitable words of Mr Bean: "Poo, Bum, Bottom!"

Gatekeeper · 28/01/2014 13:35

I heartily concur!!

we also say 'bot' here in northern england, i.e " I have a git ,big bot"

Also hate ass instead of arse

May I also say that the word/s "reach" and "reaching" out are becoming a bit too common on here and have me grinding my teeth to stumps. Read on here just last week "I'm so glad that you reached out to the police" ! WHAT! The only thing one reaches out for is an object...biscuits for example

Snowdown · 28/01/2014 13:40

I don't like bottom, I hate that word....it's not polite it's just horrible. Butt is fine. Occasionally I like to say buttocks too. Just not bottom.

squoosh · 28/01/2014 13:41

See I don't like 'bottom' because it's too polite. It's almost apologetic to me.

yoshipoppet · 28/01/2014 13:55

If goat attacked me in my garden he might butt me by the water butt, but it would be my bum he hit with his head :)
Although I too am fond of the word Arse.

Fancyashandy · 28/01/2014 13:58

Butt, butt, butt, butt.......butt - right bored now but I like it.

Fancyashandy · 28/01/2014 14:00

Bottom makes me cringe and think of white crepey, wobbly things.

Loved Emily LLoyd's "Up your bum!"

MrsOakenshield · 28/01/2014 14:01

arse all the way

or bottom if you are a small child.

Butt is American so hate it being used by non-Americans. But I actually also really hate the word bum.

learnasyougo · 28/01/2014 14:02

I don't understand people wanting to police other people's language when it'st just a reflection of the great variety of words and expressions we have available to us. Dh likes to say byootocks instead of buttocks (out of fun, not because he doesn't know how to say buttocks). bum, arse, rump, butt, behind, derriere are all good words for our posterior. I don't begrudge anyone else's preference for one over another. I love the variety. both in bottoms and in words