Jacqueline Wilson falls out with Asda after spelling twit with an 'a'

[MmeLindt]

In the Times today.

The word "twat" was used as an alternative to idiot or twit in our house for years and noone batted an eyelid.

Is it a regional thing?

I know, but it just makes me laugh.

Avena
I don't think the tone was particulary high to begin with since we are discussing twats

Lol

A twat is the bloke at the bank

I don;'t find it offensive, this all sounds like a huge over reaction to me

I don't find it offensive either and my dd has the book.

yes I didn't think it was that bad

in fact, when they said they thought she may have meant to say twit, I thought I'm sure she really meant to say twat, you twats.

I think the child they were talking about in the newspaper article was 10. I would be surprised if, by that age, you didn't have an encyclopedic knowledge of swear words. Mine are only 8 and nearly 7 and seem to have heard the lot (though maybe that's travelling on London transport for you).

I have not bought DCs any of the Jacqueline Wilson books yet. What approx. age group are they suitable for?

I only found out last week that "twat" was another word for fanjo etc. I have gone 43 years thinking it was just another word for twit.

I wouldn't have batted an eyelid at the word in a children's book.

It's one of those words that is so handy I'm often tempted to use it but have to restrain myself around ds. Don't think it's a good idea in a childrens' book. Although it'd be OK in the right context for teenagers, I suppose.

i think asda are right and J wilson is wrong and a complete twat for writing 'twat' in a book for children.

Oh my god twat it a major swear word up here in the north.

I would be mortified if dd read it in a book or said it.

Have not read attachment but i presume this is from the stanley?

Will check now

im in co durham and twat is a swear word. dh is a twat, but its not a really bad swear word. worse than bugger or bloody though. i wouldnt like dd1 saying it. it is a slang for 'female genitalia' as some said earlier.

or being hit i.e. "im going to twat you one in a minute" or drunk "she was absolutley twatted"

wimwam?!

Hmm, it does say in the article that JW did not know that twat meant fanjo, which is of course possible.

I am sure my mum does not know that either or she would not use it

Strange that noone else picked up on it though, an editor or proofreader?

Oh yes this is an ASDA in Stanley in Co Durham. I read this in the local news last night.

Trust me it is a very vulgar and offensive word up here. Prob on par with fuck and c**t.

Honestly its not a word you would want your childern to repeat.

So I dont think that the lady was wrong or being precious at all.

we have had a discussion on here about this before.
i am southerner and twat means absolutely nothing to me same as twit

yep, another southerner here and it's as inoffensive as twit to me - well it was until I shocked a brummie guy by using it and I've been a bit more circumspect since then.

lol gnat's wimwam

Really seashell do you not think it is a bad swear word?

Just asked DP (27) and even he agreed its hardcore swear word.

Agree its also a word used to describe hitting.

i.e I twatted him over the head

Baaad word in our house. The was a rumour when I was young that a twat was also pregnant goldfish, so it was alright for us to use it

In Essex, I'd say twat was a mild word for fanjo

If I saw it in a childrens book I wouldn't think it appropriate (but I would snigger in private)

well its bad but i wouldnt say it was as bad as fck or cnt. i have heard that too coco

I'm a southerner but always knew it was another word for a fanjo. However, I do use as another word for twit or idiot.

Would be very surprised to see it in a kids book!