Why are British people so good at cussing, using vulgar language and hurling insults?

[Anonymous]

Do you know many people from NY Brooklyn or Bronx? Because they could out curse any Brit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm English. It's because there are no guns in our society for the most part. We're not afraid of getting shot by some rando who is insulted by our language or offended by our lack of religious piety. Like in America.

^^^ And here's an example of winding people up. Something the Brits and Aussies love to do. It involves pushing all the buttons and watching the person on the other end get upset.

My personal theory, having both British and Australian relatives, is that many Brits are emotionally constipated. Cursing and winding people up are socially acceptable ways of letting things out.

So easy to wind up people who take themselves so seriously and doesn’t hurt to poke a bit of fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a foreigner, it’s mostly that Americans are really bad at cussing, it’s all f**k and mother**er. Just crude and bland and no fantasy at all. I am from a region if Italy where people were legendary for what they could say. So much variety and even clever combinations.

French person here. Yes, Italians have quite the reputation! The gestures add a lot of drama and expression too
Americans talk with their guns. Very sad.

1944. You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean their use of the word wanker? Bc that is foul. Also Brits are famous for saying a bunch of words that have no sense or meaning. So, it probably stems from that.

Don't be such a yobo.

[Anonymous]

It definitely doesn’t sound as polished if it’s coming from certain accents, like Geordie or cockney. Only the clipped, posh ones, with dry delivery, imo. Like Boris Johnson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean their use of the word wanker? Bc that is foul. Also Brits are famous for saying a bunch of words that have no sense or meaning. So, it probably stems from that.

I just read that wanker means a man who masturbates a lot. We don't have a word for that because all our men masturbate a lot. Well, maybe incel, but that has more meaning than just that. I think it's funny that a whole society frowns on men masturbating a lot. I think the whole world would be better off if everybody masturbated more, it would probably reduce sex crimes and desperate sexual decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean their use of the word wanker? Bc that is foul. Also Brits are famous for saying a bunch of words that have no sense or meaning. So, it probably stems from that.

Brits also love them a slang term for women’s genitalia that makes American women faint. The word starts with c. It has four letters ending in t. The middle letters are u and n. That’s just run-of-the-mill vernacular in Britspeak.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean their use of the word wanker? Bc that is foul. Also Brits are famous for saying a bunch of words that have no sense or meaning. So, it probably stems from that.

Brits also love them a slang term for women’s genitalia that makes American women faint. The word starts with c. It has four letters ending in t. The middle letters are u and n. That’s just run-of-the-mill vernacular in Britspeak.

The "c" word has actually been reclaimed and is considered positive among young adults today. I'm not kidding!

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/c-word-is-everywhere-lgbt-tucker-carlson-1234735324/

[Anonymous]

Some people take the literal origins or insults or swear words too seriously. Brits commonly say 'silly old bugger', which is a very mild and even affectionate term, and 'sod off', which is somewhat akin to buzz off. Obviously the origin of both - buggers and sodomites - relates to people who practise anal intercourse but that is not at all how the terms are used these days. Similarly, wanker is akin to calling someone a prick. It doesn't literally mean a masturbator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people take the literal origins or insults or swear words too seriously. Brits commonly say 'silly old bugger', which is a very mild and even affectionate term, and 'sod off', which is somewhat akin to buzz off. Obviously the origin of both - buggers and sodomites - relates to people who practise anal intercourse but that is not at all how the terms are used these days. Similarly, wanker is akin to calling someone a prick. It doesn't literally mean a masturbator.

I think it does literally mean one who masturbates a lot but may have taken a new meaning of just a gross or disgusting guy or even someone most people don't like. I've read it in books but never associated it with masturbating in those contexts.

[Anonymous]

Many Americans are great at profanity. There are very good cursers on both sides. You just need to hang out with more talented people.

I recommend hanging out at more punk rock shows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm just regularly amazed by the beautiful profanity that Brits come up with on a regular basis. Combinations of vulgar worlds with rare and super intelligent insults. It just rolls off their tongues too like being Shakespeares of profanity is built into their DNA from birth. Why are Brits so, soooo good at cussing and at insulting people? Is there schooling for this? I really would like to up my profanity and insulting game. Do they just teach kids swearing skills starting in primary school?

I do t know but I love it.

Ya wanker!

[Anonymous]

Fallen empire syndrome

[Anonymous]

John Oliver is an expert at this type of vulgarity.

[Anonymous]

I think they just have a bigger vocabulary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean their use of the word wanker? Bc that is foul. Also Brits are famous for saying a bunch of words that have no sense or meaning. So, it probably stems from that.

Brits also love them a slang term for women’s genitalia that makes American women faint. The word starts with c. It has four letters ending in t. The middle letters are u and n. That’s just run-of-the-mill vernacular in Britspeak.

Yeah, words are words, just combinations of letters. Their meanings are what we give them.

In this country, that's an awful word to call someone. In Britain it's totally different.