American here: yes, "fanny" just means ass/ buttocks/ gluteus maximus/ bum in the States, and it means pudenda in Britain. "Cunt" is very definitely a harsh term, and is almost always used toward women.
Back in 1972, George Carlin identified the "heavy seven" as shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits. Since that time, I'd say that "tits" has become almost quaint, but still wouldn't be used during a state dinner. "Asshole" has probably passed it on the swearing scale.
Also, describing someone as "pissed" (which means "angry" here, as opposed to "drunk" in the UK) is somewhat more acceptable nowadays, though actually using it to describe a bodily function would be distinctly rude in most situations.
I actually used "sod" and "bloody" and occasionally even "bugger" when I want to swear but don't want to be overheard doing it. It's oddly satisfying.
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Date: 2010-02-04 04:23 pm (UTC)Back in 1972, George Carlin identified the "heavy seven" as shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits. Since that time, I'd say that "tits" has become almost quaint, but still wouldn't be used during a state dinner. "Asshole" has probably passed it on the swearing scale.
Also, describing someone as "pissed" (which means "angry" here, as opposed to "drunk" in the UK) is somewhat more acceptable nowadays, though actually using it to describe a bodily function would be distinctly rude in most situations.
I actually used "sod" and "bloody" and occasionally even "bugger" when I want to swear but don't want to be overheard doing it. It's oddly satisfying.