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.

Twat is not like numpty!! Twat is not as strong as cunt but more on a par with something like “arsehole”. I wouldn’t call someone I liked a twat!!

"Special" as in "He's a bit special" or "Are you special, or something?" is used as an insult to imply that someone has SEN - that they have learning difficulties specifically. Deriving from "Special School" etc etc.

Not the same context as "You are my special boy".

Same here. Are you sure that the person wasn't thinking of "nonce" instead of numpty?

Once round a hotel pool, some Glaswegians called a large boy a numpty for hassling the little ones. It sounded worse than a twit, to my ear.

You said that most people who live in SE/ London wouldn't refer to our kids as a 'numpty'!!?

Being so sure about most people implies you have some knowledge and authority to make such statements.

I see that you've now rowed back to the fact actually what you meant was that you've never heard it which is a completely different matter

Really?

Yorkshire. Affectionate. Not offensive.

It's a term of endearment

Whereas mine were brought up on a diet of old Top Gear episodes in which numpty featured in probably every one and have grown up with good educations and jobs that give back to society

So from that I think we can safely conclude that being called a numpty is absolutely no predictor of success in life, who knew?

Sheffield.

numpty is an affectionate tern for someone being a bit daft.

Used for all ages here, including children.
I've known teachers/doctors to affectionately calll a child a numpty - absolutely no offence taken by anyone.
It's not calling someone thick. It's saying they've been a bit daft about or with something.

Yep!

This surprised me when I found out twat could be reasonably offensive, where I am it's on par with numpty (both completely non offensive) although I'm also in an area where being called a cunt can be a positive depending on the context

I think it's a bit like "twat" in meaning and in ability to cause offence. Both terms mean someone who's behaving in a daft manner, some people find it offensive and others don't

Except that, unlike 'twat', 'numpty' wasn't originally a word referring to female genitalia!

Of course in that context that you mentioned, it is very much an insult.

Shock horror - i haven't ever called my children names, raised a hand to them etc etc.

The fact that you put 'numpty' in the same category as name calling and hitting children is interesting. Couldn't be further than the case however.

I do have knowledge to make such a statement. I also don't think that the range of people that are commenting on this AIBU on Mumsnet is a sample pot of the majority of people who live in London/SE.

"I see that you've now rowed back to the fact actually what you meant was that you've never heard it which is a completely different matter"
Not at all, i didnt say i have NEVER heard it used. I said have never heard it used in an affectionate/ endearing way.

An eejit.

Perfect - 'Top Gear and being called names is all our kids need to be successful in life :)

Oh now I’d say (east Lancashire )wazzock is a lot harsher, on a par with dickhead.

I'm in Scotland and it means someone acting a wee bit daft. Not offensive at all.

Scotland here too. An affectionate way of saying someone has done something silly - but not in an offensive way. 'What a numpty'.

I completely embarrassed myself saying that word! I'm from Surrey and thought it was equivalent to twit...Oh no said the Northerner I said it too..
I was mortified when she explained it's like the C word where she's from...

Scotland. And a way of saying someone has done something daft. Have often called myself that, after doing something daft.

Same with the kids - it's just the same as saying something like "silly sausage". Certainly not insulting in that context.

Of course shouting fucking numpty after someone has cut you up for example is much more of an insult.

Context is key, like everything.

Someone else mentioned upthread that perhaps they confused numpty with nonce?! There’s a similar quality to the words, albeit with very different meanings!