Twat
 |
Look up twat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
The word twat has various functions. It is a vulgar synonym for the human vulva,[1] but is more widely used as a derogatory epithet, especially in British English. The word may originate from Old Norse þveit meaning cut, slit, or forest clearing.[1]
Historical usage
Robert Browning famously misused the term in his 1841 poem "Pippa Passes", believing it to be an item of nun's clothing:[2]
- Then owls and bats
- Cowls and twats
- Monks and nuns in a cloister's moods
- Adjourn to the oak-stump pantry
Its meaning was in reality the same then as now, Browning's misconception probably having arisen from a line in a 1660 satirical poem, Vanity of Vanities:
- They talk't of his having a Cardinalls Hat
- They'd send him as soon an Old Nuns Twat
Another mistaken (or perhaps dialectal) use was in Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1870 science fiction novel The Coming Race, in an apparent satire on Darwin:
- Among the pithy sayings which, according to tradition, the philosopher bequeathed to posterity in rhythmical form and sententious brevity, this is notably recorded: "Humble yourselves, my descendants; the father of your race was a 'twat' (tadpole): exalt yourselves, my descendants, for it was the same Divine Thought which created your father that develops itself in exalting you."
It is commonly thought that a "twat" is a noun to describe a pregnant goldfish.[3] However, this is disputed by some and may be an urban myth.
Modern usage
Although sometimes used as a reference to the female genitalia, the word twat is more often used in various other ways:
- As a derogatory insult, a pejorative meaning a fool, a stronger alternative to the word twit - 'He can be a complete twat' (often used in the UK)[4]
- To hit something (or someone) hard or violently - 'Let's get out there and twat it!'[5]
In August 2008, the publisher of a children's book, My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson, decided to reprint the word 'twat' as 'twit' in future editions of the novel so as not to offend readers or their parents.[6]
In a radio interview on 29 July 2009, the leader of the British Conservative Party, David Cameron apologized for any offence caused after he used the word "twat" on live radio during a breakfast radio show interview on Absolute Radio:
"The trouble with Twitter, the instantness of it – too many twits might make a twat."[7]
He attempted to play down the incident, and added: "I was doing a radio interview and I'm sure that people will understand that."[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b Dictionary definition and etymology of "twat"
- ^ Mark Liberman (2005-01-19). "Twat v. Browning". Language Log. Retrieved 2005-07-30.
- ^ http://www.dictionary.co.uk/word/Twat
- ^ The Origins and Common Usage of British Swear-words
- ^ Red Dwarf: Polymorph scene 10 (transcription link)
- ^ Floot, Alison (21 August 2008). "'Offensive' word to be removed from Jacqueline Wilson book". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
- ^ "David Cameron on Absolute Radio". Absolute Radio. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (29 July 2009). "David Cameron says sorry for 'twat' comment during radio interview". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
