- Feb 8, 2007
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Indeed. The word 'berk' - although it's now more used to denote an idiot, originally was Cockney rhyming slang for '****' and was used as such, but people think it's a non-rude way of insulting someone (if such a thing can be said to exist).It's not that surprising really. The taboo form of words doesn't correlate original meaning of the said words. So in other languages you might replace fuck with shit to have the same meaning as a curse word. why **** became considered such a taboo in the UK is culturally specific and is not going to be the same elsewhere. **** is also hardly the only swear word making reference to female genitalia, it's not just because of that it's considered the worst curse word (outside of racial or homophobic slurs), there will be more to it than that.
Translation is generally speaking a very inaccurate way of understanding languages as a whole btw. I mean it's useful to get around a bit, and sometimes as a learning tool in specific contexts, but, has various issues.
And berk isn't alone. For instance, someone might use the word 'poppycock' to suggest something is nonsense. But the word poppycock came to English from the Dutch, 'pappekak' which means 'soft shit' a phrase that some might consider rude. But those very same people may happily use the term poppycock not knowing its etymology, thinking they're being polite.
However it's viewed today, at some time in the future, '****' too will become less taboo as new words are made or adapted and then used.