I applaud this choice of topic. Check back to Fawlty Towers from 1979 where an irate guest threatens to “bust his ass” and Basil replies: “What is it with you Americans? It’s all about ’bottoms’ with you!” And of course OJ Simpson disparaging some footwear with: “I wouldn’t wear those ugly ass shoes”
I agree that "anal" doesn't quite catch it--but what could one substitute? Buttockian? It seems "arse" doesn't fit either (though clearly the one is a derivation of the old English other). I wonder why "arse" hasn't caught on in the way "ass" has in all these phrases: could it be, as Basil Fawlty remarked, something to do with American idiom because "it's all about bottoms" with Americans...
"Can't be arsed" is a common British English idiom that communicates a lack of desire, energy, or enthusiasm to do something. It often conveys a sense of disinterest, laziness, or even mild annoyance toward the action or activity in question.
Good point! So, "arsed" can be used as a verb, but "assed" cannot. Whereas "ass" can be used as a noun-adjective in American, but not I think in English English. What does this tell us about English customs and expressions (or syntax) vs. American usages?
I applaud this choice of topic. Check back to Fawlty Towers from 1979 where an irate guest threatens to “bust his ass” and Basil replies: “What is it with you Americans? It’s all about ’bottoms’ with you!” And of course OJ Simpson disparaging some footwear with: “I wouldn’t wear those ugly ass shoes”
However, I see this clearly as about posteriors, gluteous maximus, a set of muscles, rather than anal, an orifice. That has had its share of analysis, most notably an entire book, from the late linguist Jeffrey Nunberg: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/17/ascent-of-the-a-word-the-beauty-of-the-indispensable-vulgarity.html
I love the Fawlty Towers example! And also, somehow missed this book in my research - will definitely check it out.
I agree that "anal" doesn't quite catch it--but what could one substitute? Buttockian? It seems "arse" doesn't fit either (though clearly the one is a derivation of the old English other). I wonder why "arse" hasn't caught on in the way "ass" has in all these phrases: could it be, as Basil Fawlty remarked, something to do with American idiom because "it's all about bottoms" with Americans...
Basil Fawlty makes a good point...and why doesn't the same thing happen with "arse" (its begetter) as "ass"?
Here’s another point of view:
(https://usdictionary.com/idioms/cant-be-arsed/)
What Does "Can't Be Arsed" Mean?
"Can't be arsed" is a common British English idiom that communicates a lack of desire, energy, or enthusiasm to do something. It often conveys a sense of disinterest, laziness, or even mild annoyance toward the action or activity in question.
Good point! So, "arsed" can be used as a verb, but "assed" cannot. Whereas "ass" can be used as a noun-adjective in American, but not I think in English English. What does this tell us about English customs and expressions (or syntax) vs. American usages?
Philippa, could it be that the English are over their arses, but the Americans still find their asses fascinating?
I think you're right!
Pondering this article deeply; it seems to get at a fundamental truth about something. I’m just not sure yet what it is.
Random! I woke up with this word on my mind!