Why is screwed a bad word

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Thread starter firecracker Start date Mar 14, Hello, I've heard the second expression screwed up , and as far as I understand it has the same meaning as "messed up". Isn't it rude or vulgar? It is a bit vulgar don't say it to your grandmother -- although she probably wouldn't mind but is in very common use for most occasions in AE. I always understood that "screwed up" is not vulgar, that its origins have to do with the twisty contortions of a screw, rather than its more recent usage referring to sexual intercourse.

I'm afraid I'll have to cast a vote with carrickp. There are a few words in use today by people who seem not to be aware of their by now former, I guess connotations. I think "screwed" is less blatantly vulgar than, say, "suck," but only because its sexual connotations are deeper in the past; but they were both considered very vulgar, at least at one time.

Both countries share a fascination with swear words' that reference the male anatomy. Americans and the British have dick, cock, and prick in common, but Britain takes the theme further with pillock and knob, as well as masturbator synonyms tosser and wanker. The entire British contingent had to leave the room in hysterics. Misunderstandings abound, but one thing is for sure. This story is a part of BBC Britain — a series focused on exploring this extraordinary island, one story at a time.

Readers outside of the UK can see every BBC Britain story by heading to the Britain homepage ; you also can see our latest stories by following us on Facebook and Twitter. Why do Brits and Americans swear so differently? Share using Email. By Erin Moore 10th November He was going to be late even starting his charrette. You are fucking the dog. JACK: You're still late. Is this better? You are screwing the pooch.

JOHN: shrill laughter. So bad that it would be as big a screw up as having intercourse with a dog. To answer you, saying "I'm screwed" technically IS vulgar but has become more accepted in current society. However, you would not use the term "I'm screwed" to say that you made a mistake; rather you would say that you "screwed-up".

You might actually be "screwed" because of your "screw-up", meaning you might find yourself "beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome or in imminent danger" due to whatever you did that left something "Broken, damaged, inoperative or having only partial functioning". Hope this helps. Sign up to join this community.

The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Is "I'm screwed" a rude expression?

Ask Question. Synonyms for screwup Synonyms: Noun blunder , bobble , boo-boo , boob [ British ], brick , clanger [ British ], clinker , error , fault , flub , fluff , fumble , gaff , gaffe , goof , inaccuracy , lapse , miscue , misstep , mistake , oversight , slip , slipup , stumble , trip Synonyms: Verb blunder , boob [ British ], err , flub , fluff , foul up , fumble , goof up , louse up , mess up , slip up , stumble , trip Visit the Thesaurus for More.

Examples of screwup in a Sentence Noun That was a major screwup. She's a screwup who can't hold down a job. Verb we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it you've totally screwed up the spreadsheet. Kowchevski is concerned that Daniel, the persistent screwup , is going to further drag down his former star mathlete.

First Known Use of screwup Noun , in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb , in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1. Learn More About screwup. Time Traveler for screwup The first known use of screwup was in See more words from the same year. Style: MLA.