A few days ago
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Just wondering, please: Why is the word ‘bloody’ considered cursing in the UK, if indeed it is?

Hope I’m not offending anyone out there, but I’ve been reading a lot of British mysteries and a character will often say “bloody” this-or-that, and then apologize. So…?

Top 3 Answers
A few days ago
Sharon Newman (YR) Must Die

Favorite Answer

Bloody is used pretty often by British, Canadians and Aussies. It might be considered a curse word, but it can also be used in praising as well. For example: “That was a bloody good speech you gave!”

I have an account on fanfiction.net, and when I used the terminology “bloody good job” in a chapter review for a story someone in my contact list wrote, she immediately assumed I wasn’t American, that I was from Canada or the UK… or Australia. (I’m actually from Canada.)

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A few days ago
heebus_jeebus
I have no source on this, but I recall an old Brit (possibly Peter O’toole) say it’s slang for “By Our Lady” which for some reason is disrespectful to the Queen.
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A few days ago
Brent and Jenny S
The “By Our Lady” theory refers not to the queen, but to the virgin Mary. Another theory is that it refers to Christ bleeding on the cross.
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