That bugger isn't a swear word

[Pinkwithwhite]

DD said you cheeky bugger. I have no issues with this husband is really cross about it.
Who's being unreasonable
YABU— Child shouldn't be saying it
YNBU - It's not ok

@tabulahrasa

“I have no idea what frigging is supposed to mean, I assumed it's like saying blooming instead of bloody (not that bloody is even a proper swear)“

Female masturbation.

I think words evolve, I suppose it differs by region. I've never heard it except used as a filler for fuck. I've never heard it censored either.

Maybe Americans took it and made it a non-swear, but really the meaning is redundant if you have to explain to people what it means, even Wikipedia just says it's a watered down fu k

@SnowFlo

Bastard isn't a swearword, it just means someone of illegitimate parentage.

It does mean that, but it is used as just a bad word to call someone. "How could you do that to me, you bastard!?" So I would say it's a low-level swear word.

Similarly "retarded" just means "less advanced in mental, physical, or social development than is usual for one's age." but because it's used derogatively, it's become a slur.

Words do become something more than just "their definition".

Like bugger words revolve. Nobody says stupid or idiot to insult people with mental disabilities, even though they used to be proper words used in society and by psychiatrists. It's said to insult intelligence or just anyone you disagree with, the meaning has changed

“I've never heard it except used as a filler for fuck.”

That’s more or less how it’s used, but it does mean female masturbation.

How severe things are regarded changes by region and even between families.

The expression "That hurts like buggery" really did give backdoor love a bad reputation with hindsight.

If done correctly, it really can be quite comfortable, even pleasurable.

Yeah, it's a homophobic slur. Not ok for anyone let alone a 2 year old to say!

@MaryAndHerNet

My daughter at about 7 said, "Well that's that bollocksed then" when she broke her Lego model. I laughed. But I did tell her to be careful as some fuckwits get up their arses over swearing.

That made me laugh, and reminded me of my dear old mum, who used the most awful language, but in a very posh voice.

I think "fuck" may well have been among my first few words as a consequence, and I was around 4 yoa when it was explained to me that some people thought "fuck" was a very rude word, and that I should never say it at school, in front of granny or my Auntie Eileen.

I wouldn't be concerned about "bugger", but it might be worth issuing a similar caveat, eg "domestic use only".

@Babadook76

Isn’t buggery anal rape? I wouldn’t allow my kids to say it

Buggery can be consensual, too.

Also as to the US meaning, when talking about something cute, the pronunciation is different than in the UK. In the US, it's more like the 'oo" sound in book, look and took. And often spelled "booger."

The UK meaning (and pronunciation) is known in the US, and it is considered offensive here, and definitely has homophobic connotations.

@mizzo

DD picked it up as a toddler from MIL, who thinks fart is a swear word but merrily 'buggers' about the place

If she thinks fart is a swear word, what does she call an actual fart?

@Dibbydoos

Bugger is the worst word imo because of the meaning.

We've def downplayed this word over time, but it's not mild.

Having said tgat why are we still fixed on notvysing Anglo-Saxon words that the French tried to knock out of us?

Live and let live....

Yes, bloody foreigners, coming over here, taking our swear words.

I blame Four Weddings and a Funeral and Hugh Grant saying it so many times.

I wouldn't want my child saying it but its not that bad.
I disagree with everyone trying to point out other words with the same meaning as though that puts them on par.

Some people would say crap but not shit - they mean the same thing.
Some people would say twat but not c**t (I would but I'm tacky) - same thing.

Words evolve from their original meaning and hold different levels of severity.

But rude but not like them blurting out 'oh fuck' now that I would be cross at! Buy 'bloody hell/cheeky bugger' I'd say oi cheeky less of that

Also from up North and would consider it a very mild swear. I'd say bugger off or sod off in front of my parents but would never use a real swear word.

I think my only concern about 'swearing' is that it is a lazy way of giving emphasis rather than developing a wider vocabulary. So-called swear words are usually archaic words which are being used for the most part out of context. When you consider the printed vocabulary of some tabloids is less than 500 words you can see a large number of people lack the range of expression needed.

@Grantanow

I think my only concern about 'swearing' is that it is a lazy way of giving emphasis rather than developing a wider vocabulary. So-called swear words are usually archaic words which are being used for the most part out of context. When you consider the printed vocabulary of some tabloids is less than 500 words you can see a large number of people lack the range of expression needed.

BULLSHIT.

Benjamin Bergen, Professor of cognitive sciences at UC San Diego, says we have many misconceptions about using foul language.

Professor Bergen is author of a book called 'What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves.'

'It turns out that there are amazing things you can find out about how the mind works, how the brain works, people's human sociality just by looking at profanity,' he told CBS.

Swearing could be linked to higher intelligence and a bigger vocabulary.

Research in 2014 revealed people who frequently swear are more likely to have a bigger vocabulary than their clean-tongued peers.

@Grantanow

I think my only concern about 'swearing' is that it is a lazy way of giving emphasis rather than developing a wider vocabulary. So-called swear words are usually archaic words which are being used for the most part out of context. When you consider the printed vocabulary of some tabloids is less than 500 words you can see a large number of people lack the range of expression needed.

Maybe you are making lazy assumptions that aren't backed up with fact?

if she thinks fart is a swear word, what does she call an actual fart?

My grandmother hates that word, although she doesn't think it's a swear. She would say "passed wind" or "let one off"

YABU

My response was to ask DC to explain what the word means.

I did it to 21yo DS1 when he called someone a ponce recently

Yes bugger is a swear word and no one should be using it who doesn't understand what it means.

Her speech and general understanding of words and using them in the right context is very good. For instance I asked her about something the other day and she said "no mummy that's childish".
DH is going to be so pleased that he was right abiut it being a “bad word“
Hate it when hes right 😩

I would be fuming if my kids were using words like this.

@Earlymorningcuppa

You’re bugging me means your sticking your dick up my arse? I think there are two meanings for the word - like many words.

Bugging and buggering are not the same thing (and the latter means exactly that).

@Florenz

It doesn't really matter what it means, "berk" means ** but nobody would bat an eye it a child said called another child a berk.

I've just googled the etymology of this and I'll be buggered!

@HTH1 I didn’t say bugging and buggering were the same - someone who bugs you however is a bugger, in the same way someone who sings to you, is a singer. They are not buggering you they are bugging you. I don’t think anyone thinks buggering snd bugger are in the same league.