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An earlier conversation with Redphoenixx got my linguistic intrigue piqued.

That Sarkozy clip used the word 'Con' which translates literally as a lady's toilet bits, but would translate more colloquially into English as '***' or 'Moran'.

As a kid I was surprised to hear that 'Merde', while meaning 'Shit' was a very mild expleteive which could be used in front of parents or teachers.

In mainland Spain, the word 'Coño' echoes around every street, and is used as we'd use 'idiot' or 'fool', even though it also means an gurl's front botty.

What other words are Tabu in one country/culture/language, and widely & safely used in another?

Edjamacate me?

I'd always be curious about the Greek word: Malakas. When I lived with a bunch of Greeks, they used this word constantly. They said it meant "***************** and I think it's an equivalent of calling someone an asShole. I don't think it was really considered to be that much of a curse word, from what I understand.

Edited, Feb 27th 2008 3:13pm by Annabella

My recollection from my Indian roomate is that the conventional choice of "most foul" word (two word phrase?) translates to man who has incest with his sister.

Which Indian dialect?

Hindi? ("varrus")

or Gujerati? ("gbaji")

Hindi.

It actually translates closer to "Daughter@#%^er" or "Sister@#%^er" Not that strange, really.

Beti chod. It's about as common as Mother@#%^er in english and has similar connotations.




Edited, Feb 27th 2008 5:50pm by Smasharoo

Actually never seen it written out,

Me either, to be honest. That's how I've allways pronounced it, though.

Twink. In WoW (and other games I assume), it means to use your high level character to farm gold and mats to supe up a low level character in order to pwn n00bs, and other *********

In Gay circles, twink is sort of an insult, except when used by the people that it applies to. A twink is an effeminate gay male, ala Chris Crocker, or...

Remember how on Growing Pains, he had a friend named "*****"?

I named a toon of mine on WoW Punjabi, mainly because it's the name of a beer that a local brewery in town makes that I'm particularly fond of. I also realise it's the name of the language spoken in India. However, I was informed that in many circles it's also considered a derogatory term for Indian people in general. I was somewhat suprised of this when I heard it, that doesn't make much sense to me. That was what I was told however, I have not found evidence that it is true. I don't know too many Indian people, and I'd hesitate to ask one on the street even if I saw one.

"Bloody"


If you use "bloody" in America as a curse word, you look like a fucking idiot.


EDIT: Also "*************

Edited, Feb 27th 2008 10:17pm by Rimesume

Most of my indian friends are Punjabis and I've never heard the word used or considered derogatory.

Oddly, the word 'asian' here always means someone from the indian subcontinent, whereas in USA it always seems to mean SE Asian.

Oh, and 'oriental' is a safe word here, whereas it raises eyebrows across the pond.

You're a *******.

Most of my indian friends are Punjabis and I've never heard the word used or considered derogatory.

That's probably because they're Punjabi. I'd imagine people from West Virginia aren't offended by being referred to as "Slack jawed yokel"

Bog Digger!

Nexa lives right next to a Peat Bog. First time I visited, we went there and I immediately cut some out, built a hut, started a fire and planted potatoes. If she hadn't pulled me away, I'd have had that still up and running in hours.

True story.