We can’t teach you extremely bad and offensive swear words, though we are quite expert users of them, because we run the risk of being banned from places like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
However, in this episode we’ve collected some of the milder and softer expletives that shouldn’t get you into too much trouble. That being said, we suggest you don’t play this podcast if you have young children nearby or if you have particularly sensitive ears.
Mild expletives and swear words
Damn – Expresses frustration or emphasis.
“Damn, I forgot my keys!”
“You’re damn right I said that.”
“I don’t give a damn what he thinks.”
“Damn you! You liar!”
Darn (softer version of “damn”) – More polite and often used in American English.
“Darn it, I missed the bus.”
“It’s that darn(ed) advert on the TV again. I’m sick of it!”
Crap/Crappy – Used to express annoyance or refer to something worthless.
“This phone is crap.” / “Oh crap, I’m late!”
“I can’t believe this crappy car has broken down again and made me late for work!”
Screw it / Screw this (mildly rude) – Giving up on something out of frustration.
“Screw it, I’m not going.”
Shoot (softer version of “shit”) – Polite exclamation of frustration or surprise.
“Oh shoot, I left my wallet at home!”
SH1T (Northern Irish softer variety of “shit”
“ I can’t believe that film was so bad. It was S-H-1-T!”
Hell – Common in frustration or strong emphasis.
“Where the hell are my glasses?”
Heck (softer version of “hell”) – Used for emphasis.
“What the heck is going on?”
Bloody (mild swear in British English) – Used to intensify anger or frustration.
“This bloody traffic is unbearable.”
“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?”
Bugger (British, mildly rude) – Can express annoyance or surprise.
“Bugger off!” / “Oh bugger, I messed it up.”
Balls/Bollocks (British, mildly vulgar) – Used to call something nonsense or express frustration.
“That’s a load of bollocks/balls.”
Git – Mild insult meaning unpleasant or annoying person.
“You cheeky little git!”
Bastard – Strong insult, also used jokingly among friends (context matters).
“You lucky bastard!” / “That bastard lied to me.”
Arse – British version of “ass.” Can mean buttocks or an idiot.
“Move your arse!” / “Don’t be such an arse.”
Arsehole – Stronger insult; same meaning as “asshole” (AmE).
“He’s a complete arsehole.”
Sod off/Get lost (British) – A way to tell someone to go away, mildly rude.
“Why don’t you just sod off/get lost?”
Piss off – To tell someone to go away, rudely.
“Piss off, I’m busy!”
“Why don’t you just piss off and leave me alone!”
Tosser – Similar to “w%@ker,” derogatory term for an idiot.
“Don’t listen to him – he’s a total tosser.”
Fudge – Used as mild replacement for f**k, specifically to vocalise your alarm in a bad situation
“I’ve missed the last bus home and have no money for a taxi. Oh fudge!”
Frig- A mild replacement for f**k in any context
“Heh you! Stop frigging about with that saw – it’s dangerous.”
“What the frig have you done now, you idiot?!”
“I couldn’t give a frig what you think, frankly!”
…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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In next week’s episode: Stoicism
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