# Hierarchy of Swear Words -- Global Edition
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 17, 2002, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163 "2002-11-17T13:05:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2002, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/1 "2002-11-17T13:05:08Z")
Inspired by [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=144510), which I didn’t want to hijack…
So, how do these words (bloody, wanker, pissed) fall in the hierarchy of swear words?
Consider this basic framework from least offensive to most offensive:
hell
damn
sh\*t
f\*\*k
(I would’ve made it more comprehensive, but I think that that’s probably the minimum to get a consensus.) Here in the US, I’d guess we perceive them on par with “hell”; where do they rest in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand?
---
### Author:  [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/2 "2002-11-17T13:29:10Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Pantellerite \*
> \*\*So, how do these words (bloody, wanker, pissed) fall in the hierarchy of swear words?
>
> Consider this basic framework from least offensive to most offensive:
>
> hell
> damn
> sh\*t
> f\*\*k
>
> (I would’ve made it more comprehensive, but I think that that’s probably the minimum to get a consensus.) Here in the US, I’d guess we perceive them on par with “hell”; where do they rest in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand? \*\*
Your framework may not even be right in other countries. For the UK, I’d go:
damn
hell
bloody
pissed
wanker, shit
fuck
So you will now understand the surprise in the other thread at hearing “wanker” on US TV when they certainly wouldn’t say “shit”.
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### Author:  [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2002, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/3 "2002-11-17T18:47:05Z")
I always thought cunt was the worst swear. As in, “I hate that bloody cunt.” Of course, I say fuck all the time, so I don’t consider it to be a big deal. Actually, I have nothing to add. Sorry.
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### Author:  [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/4 "2002-11-17T18:51:04Z")
Do slurs count?
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### Author:  [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/5 "2002-11-17T19:11:36Z")
Why would “cunt” be any worse than “prick”, as in “He’s a real prick”?
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### Author:  [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/6 "2002-11-17T21:42:37Z")
I don’t know, why should fuck be worse than shit? What about prick vs. dick. cunt vs. pussy? There is probably some feminist analysis waiting to be done here.
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### Author:  [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/7 "2002-11-18T00:12:22Z")
What I want to know is what the basics are behind the Brit term “fuck all” - as in “you know fuck all…” to imply someone doesn’t have a clue.
And what about things like “bender” and the at least more polite sounding “shirt flap lifter” - both implying “queer” ??
Help us poor colonists out, you English persons of distinction and breeding - we need to bring our cussin’ up to world standards.
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### Author:  [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/8 "2002-11-18T17:05:38Z")
Asshat should be up there, even though it’s not world renowned. 😃
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### Author:  [@panache](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/9 "2002-11-18T19:21:21Z")
It is in my world! I’ve been known to have entire conversations using only variations on ASSHAT.
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### Author:  [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/10 "2002-11-18T20:05:24Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Rhum Runner \*
> \*\*I always thought cunt was the worst swear. As in, “I hate that bloody cunt.” Of course, I say fuck all the time, so I don’t consider it to be a big deal. Actually, I have nothing to add. Sorry. \*\*
Well this is what I want to ask about. I’ve been reading Irvine Welch (“Trainspotting”, etc.) wherein everyone calls everyone a cunt constantly (and regardless of gender). In fact by the time I finished the book I was in danger of starting to call my friends “wee cunts” in casual conversation.
So, is this a much more common epithet in the UK? Is it considered less serious (more like prick perhaps?) Or would his characters be considered particularly foul-mouthed motherfuckers?
(Oh, and do you use “motherfucker” in the UK?)
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### Author:  [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/11 "2002-11-18T20:37:53Z")
I would second “Cunt”, it seems to ruffle feathers around the world.
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### Author:  [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/12 "2002-11-18T22:21:48Z")
Problem is nearly all swear terms in UK can be used endeeringly without causing offence. Combinations of words on the other hand can be much nastier.
“You wank stain” would always be offensive.
Likewise, current taboo’s are always effective
calling someone a “Paedophile” is much stronger than a “F\*cking wanker” would ever be.
Just my ha’pennith worth, Keithy
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### Author:  [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/13 "2002-11-18T22:30:45Z")
“Wanker” wouldn’t even be counted as a swear word by most Aussies, anymore than “crap” would.
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### Author:  [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2002, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-swear-words-global-edition/137163/14 "2002-11-18T23:08:12Z")
“Crap” is a pretty mild swear word in the US these days. Heck, I’ve heard “crappola” in Disney movies!
In the OP’s hierarchy, I’d put it just above damn.