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Original poster

Is the word 'bum' rude?

99 replies

Fedupnanny · 01/10/2014 13:35

I was wiping my little girl charge after she had used the toilet and I said this...
"Please bend over DC as I need to wipe your bum"

Was immediately told off by the BM who was in the next room working, she said "don't say bum, you need to say bottom, I will not have them learning the word bum at this age"

I felt this was a little ridiculous and can't get it out of my head. What do the rest of you think? She is obviously within her rights to tell me what I can and cant say to her children but I feel this is a little OTT and never thought bum was a rude word!

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PhoebeMcPeePee · 01/10/2014 13:40

I'm with bm on this I'm afraid & can't stand hearing the word bum from very small children so I would insist on bottom too.

chrisrobin · 01/10/2014 13:42

I wouldn't like my children saying 'bum' so I use botty or bottom instead- it was considered rude when I was growing up and it still sounds wrong to me coming from a childs mouth. I don't let my DC say 'hate' either as I feel it is too strong a word for small children.

Rafflesway · 01/10/2014 13:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nomdemere · 01/10/2014 13:46

It sounds like she was a bit snippy with you - if so, that's rude of her and unnecessary.

But I also dislike the word 'bum' - not rude, exactly - hard to explain what I don't like about it. I don't use it round my small children.

So, I would probably have asked (politely) you to say 'bottom' instead with the kids.

MehsMum · 01/10/2014 13:47

I can't recall thinking 'bum' was rude either when I was a child or when my DC were little...

It's not that I don't care what they say (even now), but there are plenty of worse words out there, including some which are very frequent on MN but which I don't use when posting, never mind in reality.

donkir · 01/10/2014 13:50

I'm also a nanny but a parent too and I don't like the word bum or hate. They come across quite rude.
I had a conversation with bm not long after I started asking what they would prefer to use with regards to private parts as I'm of the opinion they should use the proper names and none off this nn for them.

Original poster
Fedupnanny · 01/10/2014 13:51

I see, I didn't realise it wasn't a normal word used instead of bottom, I say it without thinking but am trying to stop myself.

Last week at breakfast BM was calling her husband a f c* so I really don't know what to think anymore.

OP posts:
LegoClone · 01/10/2014 13:51

I have no issues with the word bum and would also have been surprised by this. I would have a problem with you using butt/ass/arse... Wink

Shakey1500 · 01/10/2014 13:52

I don't consider "bum" rude in the slightest. Far worse things to be snippy about imo.

BunnyLebowski · 01/10/2014 13:53

Bum is not a rude word.

I would be far more offended by an adult saying 'bottom' tbh. How precious and twee.

Original poster
Fedupnanny · 01/10/2014 13:54

Glad I'm not the only one then Lego and shakey

OP posts:
LegArmpits · 01/10/2014 13:54

Bottom is hideous. I firmly tell my kids that their arse is called a bum.

Northernexile · 01/10/2014 13:55

Bum is perfectly normal IMO, hadn't even considered calling it anything else with my 2yo

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 01/10/2014 13:56

Bum is not rude. But it is funny. Especially to 3 year olds

Elvish · 01/10/2014 13:58

I use Bum with my kids, it's an abbreviation of bottom as far as I'm concerned.

TortoiseUpATreeAgain · 01/10/2014 13:59

It's sort of rude -- I don't mind it at all myself but I am aware that others do so I try to gently discourage the DCs from using it (although if anyone ever actually complained to me they would get a Hmm look).

Tomorrow go for "Oi, DC, show us your arse" instead...

tipsyloolah · 01/10/2014 14:00

Bum is the normal word, surely? 'Bottom' is indeed twee - and has other meanings, so keep bum for what it is and allow the giggles.

DayLillie · 01/10/2014 14:01

Bum was always a childish word for bottom, where I grew up Hmm

I only ever heard it when I moved up north - it was all bottoms before that. I expect it is just anti-northern snobbery.

Not rude at all; no more than bottom.

HaroldLloyd · 01/10/2014 14:03

Blimey I don't understand the issue with bum at all.

Her choice of course but It's not like saying arse which is obvious. So I don't think there was any need to be snitty with you.

RiverTam · 01/10/2014 14:03

I don't think it's rude, I just hate the word. Bottom is such a lovely word, I think it's bizarre that anyone would think it's precious or twee!

HaroldLloyd · 01/10/2014 14:04

I suppose we should be saying Anus. Maybe.

Madratlady · 01/10/2014 14:04

I think it depends where you come from, I'm sure it's used much more generally in some parts of the country, everyone round here says bum.

But if the BM doesn't like it, it's not the end of the world to say bottom.

LemonBreeland · 01/10/2014 14:06

I think Bum in the past has been seen as rude. I remember when a certain toilet paper brand had an advert saying 'love your bum' that a lot of the old ladies who my MIL worked with were horrified. I suppose it is slang, but most people see it as an everyday word now.

I don't have a problem with it at all, and my 3 yo also says butt as well as bum and bottom. Maybe I'm just common. Wink

MrsMcRuff · 01/10/2014 14:06

'Bottom' is indeed twee - and has other meanings

Are these more 'other meanings' exclusive to MN? Have only just found out that 'plum' has an 'other meaning'! Blush

HoldenMcGroin · 01/10/2014 14:09

Spect she don't like "ta" either

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