Bugger
Meaning: A mild expletive or term for a person (British/Australian)
British/Australian mild expletive or term for a person. Originally vulgar but now mild. 'Poor bugger' is sympathetic, 'silly bugger' is mild insult.
Examples
- Poor bugger. 可怜的家伙Pobre infelizかわいそうなやつ불쌍한 녀석
- Silly bugger. 傻家伙Tonto del culoおバカなやつ멍청한 녀석
- Bugger! 该死!¡Maldita sea!くそっ!젠장!
- The bugger got away.那家伙跑了El cabrón se escapóあいつに逃げられた그 녀석이 도망쳤다
Pronunciation
/ˈbʌɡə/
Usage Guide
Context: mild swearing, British, Australian
Tone: mild, can be sympathetic or frustrated
✓ Do Say
- Bugger!该死!¡Maldita sea!くそっ!젠장!
- Poor bugger.可怜的家伙Pobre infelizかわいそうなやつ불쌍한 녀석.
- Silly bugger.傻家伙Tonto del culoおバカなやつ바보 같은 놈.
✗ Don't Say
- Still vulgar in US技术上指鸡奸——避免向儿童解释Técnicamente se refiere a la sodomía — evitar explicar a niños技術的にはソドミーを指す——子供には説明を避けること미국에서는 여전히 저속한 표현
- Mild in UK/Australia美国人可能觉得这个词更重Los estadounidenses pueden considerarlo más fuerteアメリカ人にはもっと強い言葉に感じることがある영국/호주에서는 가벼운 표현
Common Mistakes
- Much milder in UK/Australia than in US
- 'Bugger off' = go away
Origin & History
Originally meant sodomite (from Bulgarian heretics). Now very mild in British/Australian English.
Etymology: From 'Bulgarian' via French
First recorded: Middle English, current mild usage modern
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: British/Australian culture; Toyota Australia 'Bugger' ad
Regional notes: Very mild in UK/Australia. Stronger in US.
Variations
Related Phrases
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