a) In venues where people are inclined to say “arse”, if someone were to show up at the pub and say “ass”, which of the following would be likely to be folks’ reactions?
•Must be from the US. That’s their way of saying “arse”.
•Why isn’t he using the euphemism “arse” like the rest of us instead of using the nastier form “ass” like a lowlife guttersnipe?
•Why is this fellow discussing his burro? What’s he talking about?
b) Same general question except for “shite” as opposed to shit. Is it a euphemism, a regional/linguistic difference in which folks who use “shite” only hear “shit” in American movies, or what?
c) How in hell do you pronounce “shite” anyhow? I’ve only ever seen it written. Does it rhyme with “tight” and “kite”?
They’d know from his speech that he wasn’t from the US (unless, of course, he was, in which case they wouldn’t be surprised to hear him say “ass”). But they would regard “ass” meaning arse as an Americanism, and they would wonder why he was using Americanisms when he didn;t appear to be American.
“Ass” isn’t considered a nastier form. If anything, I’ve always thought of it as a slightly bowdlerised form.
They’d know from the context that he meant arse. There’s also “ass”, meaning an idiot, which comes from “ass”, a donkey. And, of course, there’s “ass”, a donkey, which is not commonly used. There are not many contexts in which the three different meanings of “ass” can be confused.
I think “shite” is regional. I regard it as a bit stronger than “shit”.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t “arse” pronounced – to American ears – “ahss”? If so, then it may just be the difference between “can’t” and “cahn’t”.
Depends on whose saying it. In Ireland, Scotland and much of the North of England, the ‘r’ is clearly voiced, but not so in the South of England or Australia. But there’s still a clear distinction between the short ‘a’ in ‘ass’ and the long ‘a’ in ‘arse’.
Americans always seem to pronounce the r sound very strongly. I say arse, like you suggested - “ahss”, but an American would say “aRRRse” to really work the platysma. Compare that with “ass” which has no r sound, so it would be a fairly similar probnunciation by all - like saying asp without the p.
‘shite’ here (Southern England) is a sort of mock-euphemism - or mock-Bowdlerism - something that is jokingly intended to make it sound more polite, but is completely understood to miss the mark.
In Ireland “Arse”, “Shite”, and the ever popular “Feck”, are the kind of mild, socially acceptable swear words you can use in front of your Granny and small children.
“Ass” would only be used if the person was deliberatley trying to sound American, or was using an Americanism, such as “badass” or “kickass” (although kickarse is sometimes used too).
“Shite” is definitely not as strong as “Sh*t” and rhymes with kite.
“Arse” is similar to the “arce” in “parcel”.
For further information study Father Jack in the TV show “Father Ted”. This character’s catchphrase was “Drink. Feck. Arse. Girls”.
There used to be a very good ventriloquist on Brit TV in the 50s, 60s and 70s called Ray Allan whose dummy, Lord Charles, was a sozzled upper-class twit with a polished accent. Lord Charles would often admonish Ray Allan by calling him a “silly ass” - which was pronounced as “aahs”, with a long “a” like “arse” but without the “r”. That always made me laugh hearing it on children’s TV.
Always “arse” here, please, unless you are not from these parts. And, personally, always “shite” because that’s how my Irish father said it. And see James Joyce’s The Dubliners (and perhaps also Ulysses): “Shite and onions!”. Wouldn’t work without the “e” at the end.
Some writers such as Lynn Abbey for example use “shite” as a “polite” form of cursing in their books, so they don’t have to say the evil “shit” word. She also uses “arse” instead of “ass” at times, and has a filled pages with “frogging” and “frog” in place of “fucking” and “fuck”. This continues on in some anthologies edited by her, but I’m uncertain if it’s a stylistic preference that’s shared or a mandated editorial style. One of her books uses “frog” in place of “fuck” so many times I felt like throwing the book in the trash. Ironically, in that same book she had no trouble with the words “cock” and “cunt” used to describe genitalia… :rolleyes:
When i lived in Yorkshire for a time (about 12 years ago), “mardy” was quite a common term, and was often followed by “cow” or sometimes “bitch.”
It was used far more often by women than by men, and was only ever used to refer to women, in my experience.
In Australia, we say “arse,” and anyone saying “ass” would probably be assumed to be American. I’ve always considered “shite” to be a slightly less offensive version of “shit,” one that you can use around more sensistive people.
[QUOTE=mhendo]
When i lived in Yorkshire for a time (about 12 years ago), “mardy” was quite a common term, and was often followed by “cow” or sometimes “bitch.”
It was used far more often by women than by men, and was only ever used to refer to women, in my experience.
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Living in South Yorkshire now I hear it mostly used of children and pets of either sex.
