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

[Breadandwine]

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!

And reacting straight to the original OP......best of luck to you, Breadandwine

All the grumping in the world hasn't prevented the use of bum becoming widespread, and yes I think it is just as unpleasant as arse which has an equally high profile these days. Someone mentioned 'bottom' being for 'polite use' ...what the hell is wrong with always being polite?

That said, it took my mother weeks to get over being told to park her fanny on a chair - by an American. Why not import that terminology, and see how much fun can be had...............

logg1e

Yes especially as there aare so many good British English colloquialisms for the police.

The filth, the rozzers, the old bill, the tit heads, plod, the busys, polis, the pigs.

All far better than 'the feds'

I do mean butt so there.

Pigs for police is used in the US as a very derogatory term; it was especially common in the days of the anti-Vietnam war protests.

I always say "Police" or sometimes the Scottish "Polis"

Even though I'm Aberdonian, and Polis is a more central saying,

Hate any other names such as "Cops" and "Pigs" which are dreadful,

YANBU. I don't mind the fact that lots of different words for bottom exist, but I think what annoys me about 'butt' is the slight coyness about it - like you're not really saying arse. Even though you are. But then I've never found a word for my own female genitalia that I've felt 100% comfortable saying aloud or outside a doctor's surgery; everything sounds either too twee, too forensic, too Middle English or too bad 80s porn film.

Anyway, if arse is good enough for Eliza Doolittle, it's good enough for me.

Love this thread. .

I am an "arse" or "bum" person myself. Bum is for when I am being sort of polite, although my own parents considered it a swear word!

To me a butt is a cigarette butt (and no, I am not a smoker).

Love Bahookie - such a good word. And arse is always said with a Father Jack voice, it may be slightly sweary but it's a good sounding word, and can be laced with lots of feeling.

I'd use police, wouldn't mind bobbies or coppers, wouldn't use filth or pigs, obviously.

Squoosh perhaps they do, but not in my presence without being corrected! and I have still got a certain amount of influence ~ especially over the 7yo.

Why be so snobby about the us? Invading Iraq was ok so how can we say that using butt isn't?

Do they ever use 'okay' or 'cool' or 'TV', all Americanisms.

I just don't see why people get so hung up on all Americanisms being a Bad Thing.

An acquaintance once had lunch with the Queen, and reported back that H.M. used the word 'behind'. (The Queen was helpfully telling my acquaintance how to prevent the huge table-napkins they apparently use at such dos from slipping off her lap and advised tucking a corner under 'one's behind').
So if it's good enough for the Queen.....

For me, it's about pride and identity. I like being English, speaking properly and teaching my children to do the same. My Dad was Indian and spoke in perfect Queens English. My Mum is from Yorkshire and has, in recent years started to say 'ain't' and 'what?' (instead of 'pardon?') she bloody well taught me to speak properly with great attention to it and I'll be blowed if I'm going to stop now at my ripe old age! and yes, I tell my Mum off too! I don't want the argument with my Dc's 'but Grandma says it'

All the kid round here (south London) say 'Feds'

Butt is most commonly used in media children are exposed to now. It probably sounds cool to youngsters precisely because it's American/global. It also sounds a bit more sterile. Arse really sounds like an arse. I must admit I use arse when rude and behind or (affected) derriere when polite. Butt can be used anywhere. Arse, you have to be more careful about in company.

Language is ever changing though. Nobody speaks in early or middle English anymore. Lots of words used in English change or are imported.

I sometimes use Fed. But in an ironic way like I use perp and 'going on the lam'.

Because I'm a middle-aged white English lady I do get some strange looks from the young people that I address.

But the only good thing I've found about middle age is that I've become bullet-proof to embarrassment.

I even do a secret smile, because I can have the lines obliterated with Botox.

It's the Americanisation of British English.

If you think 'butt' is bad, just wait till people in the UK start calling it a 'fanny'.

Can you imagine?

Personally, I prefer 'airse' or 'jacksie'

'Tuckus' is alright too.

squoosh I use okay but cool - no. Trendy or groovy, if I particularly want to embarrass people on my behalf.

It's not TV. It's telly. And as for those weirdos who spell it tele...They are the people who write 'phone.

I don't think Americanisms are bad at all I like so much about America.
But we have two fine British words, arse and bum for the posterior, why do we need to use butt?
In fact I think we should import arse to the USA.

Usually use the bum word,

Have been know to use butt, but I thought it was short for buttocks