Re:Naughty words: What makes swear words so offensive?
by jwdunne on Thursday March 10, 2016 @02:31PM
(#11261554)
It's not universal. Cultural definitions count.
It's similar to the word 'fanny'. In the US, it seems it means 'bum'. The word 'fannypack' would translate to 'vagina pack' in the UK, which is pretty funny to hear. The equivalent in the UK is bumbag, where bum is the non-offensive version of arse (which is ass in the US).
Or, for those offended by my slew of filth above, similar to the old chips-crisps problem. American Chips = British Crisps. British Chips = American Fries.
It's similar to the word 'fanny'. In the US, it seems it means 'bum'. The word 'fannypack' would translate to 'vagina pack' in the UK, which is pretty funny to hear. The equivalent in the UK is bumbag, where bum is the non-offensive version of arse (which is ass in the US).
Or, for those offended by my slew of filth above, similar to the old chips-crisps problem. American Chips = British Crisps. British Chips = American Fries.