# Why the different meanings for "Pissed" in the US and UK?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-different-meanings-for-pissed-in-the-us-and-uk/238838>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 7, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-different-meanings-for-pissed-in-the-us-and-uk/238838 "2004-04-07T23:10:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-different-meanings-for-pissed-in-the-us-and-uk/238838/21 "2004-04-10T02:43:44Z")

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It’s not your butt.

It’s actually referring to the front part of the female. :o

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-different-meanings-for-pissed-in-the-us-and-uk/238838/22 "2004-04-10T02:55:13Z")

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Yes, the “front bum”.

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**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-different-meanings-for-pissed-in-the-us-and-uk/238838/23 "2004-04-10T03:49:15Z")

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> [@AHunter3](#):
>
> I wonder what UK folks think the first time they run into a Frances who goes by the common US nickname for same…

Maybe the same thing they think when they meet a William who goes by Willie? 😃

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**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-different-meanings-for-pissed-in-the-us-and-uk/238838/24 "2004-04-10T04:35:29Z")

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They’re not different meanings. The word has many meanings, some of which are more prevalent in either soceity. I understand both meaning of the word and use them in both contexts often.  
But every time I hear an american call their ass a fanny it shits me good. No-one down hear really uses it to refer to the “female bum” down here really… except for your parents… I find it a lot easier to just say cunt.

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**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-different-meanings-for-pissed-in-the-us-and-uk/238838/25 "2004-04-10T08:03:58Z")

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> [@Lobelia Overhill](#):
>
> (\*Ireland too)  
> Yes indeed, and I found it rather horrifying to hear a parent threaten to paddle their child’s fanny … :eek: :eek:

You should only have your fanny paddled if you’re of age … and the paddling is done by a licensed professional! Or me. 😃

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