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.

Born Nottinghamshire, based Kent.
Not offensive at all, and agree with @hagchic that some people just want to find offence.

There have been threads about teachers saying "oh you numptie" when a student does something a bit daft and the parents go warp speed to the HT, the governors and the Minister for the PO.

This, but most people who live in SE/ London wouldn't refer to our kids as a 'numpty'!!?? i assume you would only use this name in a situation where the child is doing something wrong/incorrect ...to shame or embarrass them!?

Originally south east, east Anglia for the last 15+ years. I would say it's a mild insult and generally used in good humour/affection.

I'd use it affectionately like you did, but I wouldn't say it about a child. I might flinch at any child being told they're a bit thick.

as you said - being a bit of an idiot/daft or even clumsy but meant in a nice way.

West Yorkshire- not offensive and often said with fondness/affection!

East Anglia here and just means a bit daft. Not offensive at all

Scotland here, not offensive at all, like calling someone a bit of a sausage or similar.

Then again cunt is a term of endearment around my particular part of the world so maybe not a lot to go on there 🤣

Greater Manchester,same asz others somebody who is a bit silly not offensive.

South of England.
Not offensive here.

I call my daughter a numpty and a plonker when we're messing about, I wouldn't swear at her!

South East- not an insult. Milder than fool- equivalent would be silly.

East Anglia as well- interchangeable with Wally/Muppet/daft, not offensive.
Milder than twat, which has a sharp edge to it.

North West originally and I use it interchangeably with silly sausage and that kind of thing with my children.

I mean, context is key, I can image 'you fucking numpty' yelled by one driver to another could convey offence, but used as a gentle reprimand it seems fine.

South Wales. I refer to myself as a numpty quite often, it's when I've done something daft that was avoidable.

I think it's a mild rebuke. We call people 'doilies' here. That's also mild.

SW England. Synonym for wally.

Affectionate, amused, done a daft thing.

I'd definitely call my 7yo a numpty, with a smile and a laugh.

South coast.
not offensive at all. On par with Wally, silly billy etc.
might use it for “ what numpty has left the car keys in the fridge’

Numpty is a little old fashioned but I would expect people to use expressions like silly sausage to a child when they acted like one. I would accept my kids saying it to me when I said something silly too eg if I was holding my keys and asked where my keys were but we are a family where gentle teasing happens and is accepted.
If it’s more serious as “wrong/incorrect” suggests then I’d use firmer language.

I think how offensive I found it would depend on how much I'm being paid.

NE. Very mild way of saying a bit daft/silly. Wouldn’t bat an eye if someone said it to my kid

Not really used in NI, but going by when I hear it on TV/social media it sounds like a mild insult used towards someone you probably actually like😆 Maybe used the same way as we use eejit.

Being a bit daft. Not offensive at all. Bit on the level of what did you do that for you prawn.

@InTheShallowTheShalalalalalalalow 😂 Just over here wondering how close you live to me 👋🏼 I’m in Ayrshire and it can definitely be a term of endearment here 😂 all to do with the tone and what’s it’s coupled with, I find 🤔 a “silly” one - endearment, a “f-ing” one - watch your back 😂😂

Back to your question though @Eeepsh - West Scotland here. Definitely mild and inoffensive. Along the lines of calling someone a “silly billy”. Also interchangeable with “dafty” here 😂

👋 waves to fellow manc.

I agree , it's a very mild form of calling someone a fool , I also use dolt, pudding , sausage in the same way.
If someone got offended at any of them I would be genuinely surprised

I'd use it in an affectionate when someone has done something daft.

I don't find it offensive. It's a gentler way of alluding to the fact that someone might not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier or has done something a bit daft. I was interested to read the screenshot above. I always thought it was a vague hybrid word approximation of someone having no gumption, but actually the Scottish version makes more sense.