The most bitter insult one can offer to a Londoner is 'bastard' - which, taken for what it means, is hardly an insult at all.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Calling a Londoner a bastard is not deeply offensive because the term is so commonly used in the city.
- In plain terms
- The word bastard is so common in London it has lost its sting.
- What can you take from it?
- Context and frequency determine the sting of a word.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does context change the meaning of words?
- What makes an insult hurt more than others?
Another view
Some individuals may still find the term deeply offensive regardless of context.
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