To think that this is a swear word

[Pigsmummy]

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.

Sneezy if a child in your class said this word what would you do?

Swear word to me - out of bounds in this house!

I had this conversation with my DH a year or so ago. In my head "twat" was pretty inoffensive - on a par with "bloody" say. Less bad than crap or shit. In his head it's on a par with "cunt". We were both amazed at how differently we perceived the same word.

I use it way less often now

I thought it meant the same as twit until I was in my 20s. Was very and embarassed when I realised what it actually means!

I'd find it offensive whoever said it!

I'm in the NW.

I'm from the NW and it is on a par with the c word (well in the bit I'm from anyway). My husband, from another part of the UK puts it on par with 'an idiot'.

When we were dating, my mum almost fainted when he said it lightheartedly in the living room.

I don't know when I first heard it but I would have been living in North Wales at the time. I regard it as a swear word and would never say it. I'm not a very sweary person though.

Scottish Mil says it all the time and uses it as an equivalent to 'silly idiot'.
When I have children, I wouldn't want her using it in front of them.

I'd use it in teh same way I'd say twit.

Didn't Jacqueline Wilson have to remove it from one of her books after complaints?

Oxford dictionary says...

NOUN • vulgar slang
1 a woman’s genitals.
2 a person regarded as stupid or obnoxious.

I do like Urban Dictionary's number one though, but my mum would disown me...

TWAT

1. A great word to shout out.
2. A woman's vagina.
3. A blow to the face or genitalia.
4. Used by Tweety.
5. An offensive term for a person.
6. Acronym for The War Against Terrorism.
7. "You're getting right on my tits you TWAAAAAAAAT!"
8. "Nice twat there woman."
9. "You twatted me, I'll twat you back."
10. "Where's dat liddle puddy twat?"
11. "Tony Blair's a twat."
12. "TWAT is going well, don't you think?"

I must look out for that Tweety episode now, outrageous

used by Tweety

I tort I taw a putty twat.

Is that not how it goes?

I thought he says puddy tat

I always thought tat too. Must listen closely [reaches for the Sky remote to series link Looney Tunes on Boomerang...]

I wouldn't like to hear my dc using the word to me however old they became. It certainly isn't acceptable hear, unless me and dh say it when no kids about.

It very much depends on where you live.

Here, it's not a swear word. But I work with a woman who finds it very offensive.

To me it is the same as twit. Hence my DS10 now calling bad drivers a twat. (Don't know where he picked that up from....)

However to DH it is extremely rude so I have told Ds not to say it and I am trying to stop saying it too.

I think you have limited vocabulary if you need to use twat as an insult.

I treat it as an ordinary swear word whereas the c-word for instance is reserved for Special Occasions.

I always thought it was the same as twit until there was a big thing when someone said it on tv.
I am confused about knackered too. I thought that was swearing, but then someone presenting a children's program said it.

knackered means exhausted - not a swear word

"Twat" is extremely mild in this house, akin to "silly twit" in meaning. I have routinely called partner and older children twats. As in: "Oh no, you lost your bus pass again! You twat!" where twat replaces "foolish bananahead." But this sort of thread always throws up the terrible conundrum that in some circles it is akin to "cunt" in meaning! Since learning this I have -unsuccessfully-- tried to be aware that many will find it hugely offensive. Re saying it in front of little children, I think it is wise to err on the side of caution with ALL swear words as it is astonishing how utterly prudish and disapproving many people are about swearing generally and it seems unfair for a child to be the unwitting victim of such mealy-mouthed condemnation. I love swearing and feel completely unoffended by appropriate useage so find this hard to understand but the anti-swearing sentiment is alive and well, sadly.

Foxes, no-one needs to use the word twat. Some people choose to. I think being judgey about people 'needing' to use the word is either an example of someone choosing poor vocabulary themselves or very odd.

Where I live, it is an equivalent to twit. 'you daft twat' for example, is quite an affectionate friendly way of saying 'you have done something a little silly'.

I wouldn't say it's a swear word. I wouldn't like my children using it though. To be fair my children have heard swear words before and will again but neither of them have ever sworn themselves. Ds once told a mum off in the playground for saying "bloody" and made her promise never to say it again. They understand quicker than you think.

I think you have to think of swear words, or any word as "Would I feel happy if my child said it?"

Twat, in my view, is a swear word.