To ask what a 'numpty' is where you live and if it's offensive?

[Eeepsh]

Around here (South East) it means being a bit of a twit and is usually used with affection but I use it about my son and someone from East Anglia area was horrified!

Just wondering if it's a regional thing.

London, like you say it's a bit of a twit, affectionate, harmless. We use it at work a lot.

Nah, it's a term of endearment for someone who's being a mild fool. Nothing offensive!

Meaning a bit of a daftie- North West, I'd say it's common up here! Certainly not offensive.

In Scotland its a very mild insult used when someone is being daft. I have used it on my DC many times in an affectionate way.

North west, not offensive, a bit silly

I'm in Staffordshire and don't find it offensive, it's a gentle tease along the lines of silly billy and is something I'd happily use in front of my kids.

I live in the west of Ireland, that word isn’t used here at all.

Not offensive in my bit of Yorkshire.

Usually used to refer to someone who has done something a bit daft.
I regularly and affectionately refer to my own children (and myself) as a numpty.

I live in the South East/ London.

It would generally mean here to be a bit of an idiot/ incompetent and not a nice way to describe someone.

Midlands, but originally South East, mild expression meaning someone being daft - 'You great numpty'.

South east, means a bit daft. Definitely not offensive.

Foolish person. It's affectionate, and less likely to cause offence than "idiot" IMO (anything that carries a hint of ableism is getting less acceptable).

Harmless. I’d call family and close friends a numpty but not someone I didn’t know very well. Is quite colloquial I’d say but not offensive no.

North west

I've heard it used most by northern people, but it's never meant really meanly. Like, you acted a bit silly/daft whatever.
I'm from London and it would never be taken rudely if someone said it, but we do have more choice words so if anything numpty seems a bit too PG for my liking. Haha.

South Yorkshire, silly bugger, not offensive at all.

Same as everyone else.
Twat on the other hand is much stronger up North than down South as my 20 year old self found out in my first team meeting in my first professional job 😂

Just remember - some people work very hard at being offended.

East Anglia here. Definitely same meaning as you and the person from East Anglia who was horrified/offended must be a bit of a numpty if they think it is offensive or horrifying!

From the midlands originally now live in London - not offensive in either area, it’s on par with silly billy

In Ireland, where it’s not used a great deal, but that is absolutely how it is used, when it is. I’d say ‘eejit’ was pretty much the same level of affectionate mockery.

East Anglia here - not offensive just means someone a bit daft

Bit daft, made a silly mistake sort of vibe. Glasgow.

Cornwall and Hampshire representing here 😂

Mild epithet, usually said with kindly derision.

Nothing offensive in its etymology either.

Scotland. As above not offensive