The most unacceptable words and phrases for television
The BSA has done a survey on what words or phrases people would find acceptable on free to air television at 8.30 pm. The 31 phrases tested, and proportions finding them unacceptable are:
- Cunt 70% (-9%)
- Nigger 65% (-7%)
- Jesus Fucking Christ 61% (-4%)
- Mother fucker 61% (-17%)
- Cocksucker 56% (-8%)
- Get fucked 54%(-1%)
- Fuck off 50% (-2%)
- Fuck 50% (-19%)
- Faggot 48% (+2%)
- Slut 43% (nc)
- Whore 43% (-12%)
- Cock 42% (-16%)
- Retard 41% (-3%)
- Wanker 39% (-9%)
- Arsehole 37% (-12%)
- Jesus Christ 33% (-8%)
- Dick 32% (-8%)
- Jesus 30% (+3%)
- Piss 29% (-9%)
- Bitch 28% (-14%)
- Prick 28% (-15%)
- God 27% (-7%)
- Piss off 27% (+3%)
- Bastards 26% (-10%)
- Balls 24% (-9%)
- Shit 23% (-8%)
- Bullshit 20% (-8%)
- Crap 17% (-6%)
- Bloody 15% (-2%)
- Bollocks 13% (-7%)
- Bugger 13% -3%)
The figures in brackets are the change in unacceptability from the 1999 survey (or 2009 for some newer phrases).
Only the first two words would cause me a bit of shock if used on television.
Also of interest is the other words or phrases some respondents offered as unacceptable:
- Pommy bastard
- Being Jewish (tight with money)
- Hua Slimy Mongrel
- Nignog
- Milf
- Cock-tease
- Cuntface
- Frogface
- Tea bagging
- Fucktard
Fucktard is a great word!
- Ginga
- Muptard (combination of “muppet” and “retard”)
Also a great word!
- Dog bangger
- Whitee wifee
Not heard that one!