And editing to comment on 'bugger' - yes, James, that's the literal meaning, but it's actually almost never used in that context in the UK. It's just used as a fairly mild swear-word, maybe something akin to 'dammit'. Anyway, it's not that uncommon for words to depart from their original meaning and become somewhat more acceptable
Yes, exactly, that's why I said it depended on the context. If it's used in the normal way for the UK, it's really a very mild expletive. Dammit is a very good comparison, Wendy. I had in mind 'bloody', but dammit is a better one. If someone was to use it in its literal sense, it would probably be unsuitable for PG13.
And, of course, 'sod' is another example. You certainly wouldn't want to use it in its original sense.
But that's another one that's been downgraded over time, come adrift from its literal meaning, and become a mild, even comedic, expletive. As in 'sod off'.
LabRat
(who finds the origins of and changes in words fascinating...)
