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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that this is a swear word

183 replies

Pigsmummy · 23/02/2014 10:47

Twat.

My husband is adamant that it isn't a swear word and it might just be "midly offensive".

It came in conversation just now as last week I asked his Brother not to say it in front of our 16 month old and his brother didn't think that it was an offensive word.

I do not want my child saying this word or other swear/offensive words.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pigsmummy · 23/02/2014 10:48

Sorry for typo meant "mildly offensive*....

OP posts:
RufusTheReindeer · 23/02/2014 10:49

I thinks it's a rude word. I wouldn't say it in front of my children and I wouldn't expect them to say it in front of me

I think it's a milder than cunt but means the same thing

TheSteveMilliband · 23/02/2014 10:50

I wouldn't say so (Scotland) but seem to remember a previous discussion and views were very polarised, think there may have been a regional difference in its meaning

SarahAnderson · 23/02/2014 10:51

I would be happy with 'twat'. But I think it's really personal preference. In my house growing up we weren't allowed to say 'bum' so to me that sounds worse! (Twat was non-existent - I probably didn't hear it until I was about fifteen so it never sounded rude.)

brettgirl2 · 23/02/2014 10:51

I think it would sound horrible if a young child said it. So yanbu

SarahAnderson · 23/02/2014 10:52

Same with cunt by the way - I probably heard 'cunt' for the first time in the same year I heard, say, 'biochemistry'.

Nanny0gg · 23/02/2014 10:52

It's rude and not appropriate in front of children. Obviously there's worse, but that's not the point.

I would certainly be Shock if I heard a child say it.

Ghirly · 23/02/2014 10:52

I'm in Scotland and I wouldn't say it was a swear word exactly but it is definitely not something I would want my 8 year old saying, it's very crude.

goldenlula · 23/02/2014 10:56

It is a swear word in our house. One of my friends, on the other hand, is perfectly happy with her children (6 and 8) to say it, as it is just normal speech for her.

PikaAchooo · 23/02/2014 10:56

I'm in Scotland too and honestly I've never thought about it.

I think it is possibly swearing, or at the very least an offensive word. Either way it's not a word I would use around my DD and certainly not one I want her saying to people.

Sneezy86 · 23/02/2014 10:59

I often disagree with my husband about swear words. He thinks bloody is fine. Obviously some words are worse than others but my rule is would you use it in a school? (I'm a teacher) I wouldn't say twat in my classroom and would expect parental complaints I'd I did.

beamme · 23/02/2014 11:00

I grew up in Lincolnshire and it wasn't a swear word, it meant the same as twit.
But when I moved North it became a swear word with the same meaning as cunt.

Still18atheart · 23/02/2014 11:02

IMO its an adult word. Not as strong as a swear word but would not be used in front of children or by children.

ThePost · 23/02/2014 11:02

Depends where you are. In the bit of Scotland where I'm from originally, twat seems to be incredibly mild and on a par with "daft idiot." Here in Oz, it is even more offensive than "cunt" and would cause the commensurate level of upset.

hairypaws · 23/02/2014 11:03

I'm in Scotland too and until a few years ago thought it meant you were acting silly. I called my bil a twat over Sunday lunch and he told me of it's actual meaning. I've not used it since and definitely wouldn't want my kids using it.

SomethingkindaOod · 23/02/2014 11:07

Isn't it a word that gets ruder the further north you go? I'm in the NW and it's right up there with cunt. However I have southerner friends who use it in the same way you would use twit or silly sod.
I certainly wouldn't like the DC's using it.

ExcuseTypos · 23/02/2014 11:08

I've always thought its pretty offensive but my very "proper" 75 year old MIL says it quite a lot. The first time she said it I nearly choked and DH went puce trying to hide the laughter.

He has since suggested that it might not be appropriate in polite company but she ignores him.

ExcuseTypos · 23/02/2014 11:09

We're in the south if that helps.

IHeartKingThistle · 23/02/2014 11:09

Apparently it is properly offensive in the US.

poppins30 · 23/02/2014 11:10

Of course it's a swear word.

susiedaisy · 23/02/2014 11:10

Not a swear word but crude and not nice when said by kids. And I wouldn't call certain people it for example my parents or grandmother but might say it to my brother or uncle or the idiot who cut me up on the road the other day.

Dominodonkey · 23/02/2014 11:11

I would say its worse than 'crap' which people often discuss on here, worse than 'bloody too'- probably level with 'shit' in my mind. I would be shocked if a child said it.

Original poster
Pigsmummy · 23/02/2014 11:11

We are in the South of England.

OP posts:
susiedaisy · 23/02/2014 11:11

Oh I'm in the south west if that's any helpSmile

ilovepowerhoop · 23/02/2014 11:12

I dont think its offensive (Scotland) - means twit or idiot rather than anything really rude