/ˈæshəʊl/
Translation
A strong American insult for someone who behaves selfishly or cruelly. British speakers say "arsehole" for exactly the same idea. Strong enough to start an argument: recognise it, but do not say it.
Word origin
An American joining of ass and hole. The literal body sense is very old English; the use as an insult for a person only appears in the 1930s.
- Origin
- English
- Root
- ass
Examples
queue .
The word is about behaviour: selfish, and not caring who notices.
, .
Said to a friend it is rough but survivable. Said to a stranger it starts a row.
American films "" ones "arsehole".
One word, two spellings and two sounds, either side of the Atlantic.
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