Question regarding British/Canadian spelling

[LukkyKnight]

I have no problem with colour, and other similar words which have an extra "u" if spelled by somebody of "more-British" orientation, even though it appears more French-like to me. I find it slightly humourous when the Brits prefer the term "arse" to "ass" but it doesn't get under my skin by any means, so understand that this is not an attack on the differences which, to me, lend depth and interest to the language.

The question is:
In written or conversational English, do those who habitually use "arse" nonetheless accept that, "the spelling of asshole is universal." as was posited in another thread?

 

[DarkAngel]

Canadian and British English is vvery close to each other..

 

[Guest]

they are the same you moron

 

[DarkAngel]

they are the same you moron

I hate to say they have differences you unregistered person..

 

[cliffchuff]

arsehole is the correct spelling in the ENGLISH language

 

[bluespoke]

The question is:
In written or conversational English, do those who habitually use "arse" nonetheless accept that, "the spelling of asshole is universal." as was posited in another thread?

I'd say from my exerience that the word asshole is in fairly universal usage but that the word arsehole is more widely used in the UK.

The use of asshole in the UK is indicative of the spread of American English spelling.

Those who don't interact with Americans and those who positively abhor using anything other than 'English' English will use arsehole.

 

[Freya]

I don't know that you'd find either one of them in a dictionary - so there may not be a "correct" spelling. And I think arse is more of an British slang term than Canadian. I personally use asshole, it's more direct and to the point. Although I have used arse at times when I didn't want to be so blunt.

British and Canadian spelling is pretty much the same, unless you take into account slang and regional spellings of words.

 

[RawHumor]

Re: Re: Question regarding British/Canadian spelling

I'd say from my exerience that the word asshole is in fairly universal usage but that the word arsehole is more widely used in the UK.

Arsehole. Now, that's just silly!

 

[bluespoke]

Re: Re: Re: Question regarding British/Canadian spelling

Arsehole. Now, that's just silly!

Is it any sillier than the bung hole of a donkey......ASS HOLE?

I suppose it could boil down to why you use the word.

Arsehole is more likely to be used to describe the anus, whereas asshole would be used to describe an idiot.

 

[Purple Haze]

"Any of you chaps into bumfucking?"

That's silly, too.

 

[bluespoke]

"Any of you chaps into bumfucking?"

That's silly, too.

Or a bit of 'rogering'!

 

[Purple Haze]

Rogering?

LMAO!

 

[bluespoke]

Rogering?

LMAO!

Oh yes, shirtlifters do a lot of rogering!

 

[someplace]

Well as long as we're not debating "crutch" vs. "crotch". *shudders*

 

[bluespoke]

Well as long as we're not debating "crutch" vs. "crotch". *shudders*

One is what you use to hold yourself up when you have a bad leg and the other is a lovely warm, moist place!

 

[LukkyKnight]

I'm NOT trying to differentiate Canadian and British English

I don't know that you'd find either one of them in a dictionary - so there may not be a "correct" spelling. And I think arse is more of an British slang term than Canadian. I personally use asshole, it's more direct and to the point. Although I have used arse at times when I didn't want to be so blunt.

British and Canadian spelling is pretty much the same, unless you take into account slang and regional spellings of words.

The OED cites asshole in the 4th definition of the second form of the noun ass, as follows:

4. Special Combinations. asshole, (a) = arse-hole s.v. ARSE n. 3; (b) someone or something foolish or contemptible; an uncompromising term of abuse; also attrib.; ass-kissing ppl. a. and vbl. n., toadying, flattering; hence (as back-formation) ass-kiss v. trans., to flatter, truckle to; ass-kisser, one who does this; ass-licker, a toady; hence (as back-formation) ass-lick v. intr.

For the record in case you can't infer it, The OED does list arse, which it notes is obsolete but "in polite use." That's what got me started, frankly, wondering if arsehole was really in use. Arse is, "The fundament, buttocks, posteriors, or rump of an animal. The bottom; the lower or hinder end; the fag end, tail." after which it goes on to explain how to use it in phrases:

heavy arse: a lazy fellow, a lie-a-bed. to hang the arse: to hold back, be reluctant or tardy. arse upwards: in good luck. arse over tip (or tit), head over heels...

But the only written cite on arse-hole has this peculiar hyphen in there, quite in contrast to the spelling of asshole. So curiosity got the better of me.

 

[Freya]

Re: I'm NOT trying to differentiate Canadian and British English

The OED cites asshole in the 4th definition of the second form of the noun ass, as follows:

4. Special Combinations. asshole, (a) = arse-hole s.v. ARSE n. 3; (b) someone or something foolish or contemptible; an uncompromising term of abuse; also attrib.; ass-kissing ppl. a. and vbl. n., toadying, flattering; hence (as back-formation) ass-kiss v. trans., to flatter, truckle to; ass-kisser, one who does this; ass-licker, a toady; hence (as back-formation) ass-lick v. intr.

For the record in case you can't infer it, The OED does list arse, which it notes is obsolete but "in polite use." That's what got me started, frankly, wondering if arsehole was really in use. Arse is, "The fundament, buttocks, posteriors, or rump of an animal. The bottom; the lower or hinder end; the fag end, tail." after which it goes on to explain how to use it in phrases:

heavy arse: a lazy fellow, a lie-a-bed. to hang the arse: to hold back, be reluctant or tardy. arse upwards: in good luck. arse over tip (or tit), head over heels...

But the only written cite on arse-hole has this peculiar hyphen in there, quite in contrast to the spelling of asshole. So curiosity got the better of me.

Wrong again. Damnit, that's twice this year - I've gone over my limit.

 

[bluespoke]

Re: I'm NOT trying to differentiate Canadian and British English

For the record in case you can't infer it, The OED does list arse, which it notes is obsolete but "in polite use." That's what got me started, frankly, wondering if arsehole was really in use. Arse is, "The fundament, buttocks, posteriors, or rump of an animal. The bottom; the lower or hinder end; the fag end, tail." after which it goes on to explain how to use it in phrases:

I think you are reading it the wrong way. It is obsolete in polite use. Not that it is in polite use. Arse has never been in polite use.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I have so got to get me an OED.

 

[Stout chap]

Most Britons pronounce grass as grarse and path as parth. It isn't anything but a silly trans-Atlantic difference, really. In Yanquiliand, Ts are sounding more and more like Ds with each passing (parsing) minute. Whadda ya talkin abaht?

 

[bluespoke]

Most Britons pronounce grass as grarse and path as parth. It isn't anything but a silly trans-Atlantic difference, really. In Yanquiliand, Ts are sounding more and more like Ds with each passing (parsing) minute. Whadda ya talkin abaht?

Correction. Most in the south of England pronounce grass as grarse and path as parth.

Some of us were taught to speak proper like!!!!

 

[Stout chap]

Thinking about it, Yanquee vowels are beginning to all sound like As. Only a Yanquee would pronounce on the same as awn, and orange as aah-inge. Bizarre.

 

[peachykeen]

I only use 'arsehole' whilst having tea with the Queen.

 

[Stout chap]

Me dad lives in Yorkshire and speaks like a bloody farmer, blue Scots bastard, and his annoying use of not-using-the-letter-r drove me mad! I now believe I am a duck.

 

[bluespoke]

Me dad lives in Yorkshire and speaks like a bloody farmer, blue Scots bastard, and his annoying use of not-using-the-letter-r drove me mad! I now believe I am a duck.

Charming!