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.

Here's the link from my deleted post. It's informative.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/moron-idiot-imbecile-offensive-history

I understand it to mean an ineffectual person, a bit of a dimwit - both in South West where I first heard it, and Yorkshire where I live now. It's the sort of word you'd use about a stranger rather than a friend/family member.

A silly billy. Someone being a bit dopey and missing the obvious.

south west

It is - it provides a context which should enable most to understand why it’s offensive.

I understand we disagree. I'm not really seeing why a word that once described people whose "mental development never exceeds that of a normal child" shouldn't be used to describe a normally-developed adult whose actions would be more appropriate in a person of severely restricted intellectual development.

I'm aware that such things are frowned on so, in fact, I rarely use them. Lots of other words are available to the same effect (one of which you had me deleted for), without the obsolete medical connotations.

However, I still think it's irrational to classify those words as unsayable.

Saaarf London.
Affectionate term for someone being an idiot.
More likely to say "div" instead though. Numpty sounds more... I don't know... posh I guess.

Because you are using a disability as an insult. It’s that simple.

Multiple disabled people have spoken on this issue. Perhaps prioritise their voices over your need to insult people?

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210330-the-harmful-ableist-language-you-unknowingly-use

English equivalent of “you big eejit!”

From Shropshire
Very, very mild way of describing someone who's been a bit silly
"I slept through my alarm, what a numpty!" Definitely not offensive

I'd say as a Scottish person its an affectionate term, like how I've heard people say 'awright ya wee bawbag' which is fine to say to a friend. Whereas if someone says 'well see here pal...' that's not going to be pretty...

a bit of a dingbat

It's a great Scottish word for an idiot, foolish or stupid person.

It can be both a term of endearment and offensive.

Which it is depends on context

I'm from East Anglia. Your definition is correct.

It's said with kindness when someone's done something silly/daft and with no real consequences.

"I couldn't find my car keys for twenty minutes... Turns out I put them in the fridge!"

"Lol, you numpty"

Someone a bit daft here too - New Zealand. Not offensive at all.

I call my kids numptys all the time it's an affectionate jokey word if they are being a bit silly

I'm in East Anglia/Midlands and it means twit here. A friendly non offensive term.

Ooh, also South Wales and not heard Doilies.

I like it and am nicking it!

I live in East Anglia and quite often use Numpty, it’s certainly not offensive and used more as an endearing term than anything. Sadly now there’s too many snowflakes around who get offended at everything and anything..

I believe it originated in Scotland as a term meaning an empty head.

It's really mild