Even in the 21st Century this simple four-letter word can get you into trouble.  Whether you say it or write it, it will offend someone. It’s rarely, if ever used in polite company, so unless you’re a Ricky Gervais fan, enjoy Guy Ritchie movies, or you’ve hung out with me over the years, you might not hear it that often.

I know you know the word I’m talking about; but for any pearl clutching people who have happened upon this bit, and who may still be feigning naiveté in preparation to further feign feeling shocked after they fall in—I am referring of course to the mother of all expletives—struggle and grunt—rhymes with….  Pairs well with a good feckless. 

I just adore how good old Cockney Rhyming Slang provides for a fun way of blanketing and softening certain words; and for those that don’t know, if you know the various combinations you only need say the first word.  Gold.

Now if you prefer a more modern take, Jeremy Hunt makes for a decent substitute.  Although it’s unfortunate if you’re the Jeremy Hunt from whence this more modern rhyming slang emerged; but at least his first name isn’t Mike and his wife’s name isn’t Karen.  Either way, struggle of a mantle. 

Often used by some as a most last resort.  Something still not panning out?  It’s a right struggle of a thing, innit?  Or, to simply shock.  Maybe you’re surrounded by them.  It happens. We may have temporarily turned into one ourselves, simply due to a lack of insight in the moment—happens to the best of us—just try not to become a permanent Member of The Berkshire Hunt club.  

Then, if you’re unsure if an individual is worthy of the full struggle, there’s twunt.  A fusing of two words that essentially mean the same thing—though I see twat as toothless in comparison—so in effect I suppose one could just call them redundant, and then no one can run to their mummy and say you called them a nasty name. 

Mum hated the word in general; though I remember when we were watching an old British movie together years ago and she pointed out that the actors, with their upper class plummy accents, often sounded as though they were saying it whenever they said the word “can’t.”  The “a” sounding like it was replaced with the fifth vowel, with the apostrophe carelessly tossed aside with the disdain typically reserved for a scullery maid.  All I could hear after that.

However, I do feel that poor Jeremy often comes up empty. Netflix made a six-part series on the history of naughty words and our Jeremy was missing in action. 

This, I believe, was sacrilege; and, they lost the chance for at least a poke at a seventh juicy episode—but perhaps the host pulled out, drawing the line at bad language.  I guess we’ll never know. 

Perhaps that’s why it only got 68% on the tomatometer, and a 58% average audience score.

And last, but not least, be vigilant.  Cunning unprincipled narcissistic twits stealthily move amongst us. Some run for office and get elected.  It’s all subjective of course; you may see one, or many; where I see none, nor any; and vice-versa.  Perspective, after all, is everything. 

Our Word is generally more acceptable in the United Kingdom, and of course, Australia where you will sometimes hear it used as a term of endearment as well.  She’s nothing if not versatile is our Word. 

After all, context is important, and if you must...strive to be a good One!

 Cheers!

 https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/history_of_swear_words

For a short article on something know as priming go here:

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/jeremy-hunt-mp