How offensive do Americans find this word?

Question

The British swear word "bollocks" is generally found to be quite offensive in the U.K. One would only use it in very close company. The word is not very familiar to many Americans, but of those of you who do know it, how offensive would you find it?
Wikipedia has a fairly extensive article on the word, comparing it to the American "bullshit", but makes no mention of how offensive it is supposed to be.
Sensible replies only.

Answer 1

I think swearing tends to be intensely peculiar to a particular culture, so "bollocks" has almost no impact in the United States, even among anglophiles (of which I am one). I do know that I've heard the word on network television, which, especially of late, has been hypersensitive to swearing after an unfortunate accident at a Super Bowl. So the short answer to your question is that the word is not at all offensive to Americans and, to those who know it, comes across as a quaint Britishism.

Answer 2

If you are saying that Bollocks is the same as the word Bullshit then that word is not offensive to me or anyone I know. I use Bullshit all the time when I do not believe what a person is saying to me. A person who is a bullshitter is someone who makes up stories to make themselves look better.

I hope this helped you.

Answer 3

I had no idea that this word was offensive and had no clue as to its meaning. I've only just recently heard the word (LOST-t.v. show).

Even though we both speak "English," I believe there are some things that are lost in translation. Just like the differences between languages, I think "dialects" of the same language have certain words/phrases whose meanings and nuances only native speakers can truly understand.

Thank you! My two boys will no longer be allow to use this word!

Answer 4

Basically, American knowledge of British slang is shoddy at best. It would be non-offensive in most every place you said it in most circles. At the most you'd offend maybe three out of every twenty-five people. This is why using British swears is so much fun, as it expresses the same ideas without everyone acting like you just ate a baby in front of them.

Answer 5

Well... perhaps years ago.. it would have been considered to be an offensive word but today.. I hear it often from time to time actually... on the tele and elsewhere in everyday conversation.....Most Americans just use the word oh Bull to shorten it out a little

Answer 6

I don't find it offensive at all. I mean i've heard it before and I think i have acually used it in a sentence but i really have know clue what it means. It must be equal to the "F" word if it's that offensive.

Answer 7

I don't think Americans would find it offensive because a) they wouldn't understand it, b) they'd think it a cute foreign expression, c) bull---t isn't offensive. It's interesting you liken "bollocks" to "bull---t". In British sitcoms I've watched, I've often heard the expression "You bollocksed it up" as in "You screwed it up", in which case I'd liken more to the infamous "f-word".

Answer 8

The word itself is less offensive than the fact its used to debase or refuse an idea or preposal that may be offered up innocently.

Answer 9

I even have not something to do all day, so I take a seat here reading a exceptional form of those dumb questions like an dependancy to crack, so i don't know the place you get the assumption human beings never attack different countries at here, and that's coming from an American. regrettably, if what you assert is genuine, than it quite is thoroughly unfair, sure, and that i don't know what to assert different than keep doing what you're doing. as long because of the fact the failings you assert are thoroughly calm and in basic terms shielding, maximum of your comments wont be deleted. in simple terms make optimistic to not attack the English lower back, or you will are available in the time of as hypercritical. remember you repersent human beings, so it quite is completely high-quality to shield us, in simple terms keep a funky head and make us look stable :) in my opinion, I even have seen prejudice from each united states here, for each guy or woman. And it makes me unhappy.

Answer 10

I actually use that word all the time...I like it. Mostly because I think americans dont know that its a curse word and I can say it anywhere.

Thanks Sex Pistols!

Ive also heard the Irish and Scottish use it just as much as the British. Do you say Shite (shy-t) too?