Ass

[avram]

As long as I’m posting excessively, there’s something that’s been bugging me for a while. I’ve noticed some folks using the word “ass” the way that me and my cohort generally use the words “shit” or “crap”. “That sucks ass.” “It looked like ass.” What’s up with that? I think the people I’ve seen using it have all been Seattleites, so is this a northwestern usage? Wait, actually I’ve also heard “sucks ass” on South Park, I assumed because there are language rules for basic cable (though South Park violated those rules flagrantly in one episode, so I dunno). Is this something recent? What’s the earliest usage anyone here remembers?

Comments

[kiya]

I don't know where it came from. It seems to be one of those virulent killer memes or something -- I know a European who uses it, who doesn't use "ass" to indicate the body part in question -- and she doesn't know where she picked it up either . . .

[jayspec.livejournal.com]

I recall "ass" being used in such a fashion at CMU, particularly among the "Scotch 'n' Soda" theatre crowd. "i.e. That play was ASS!" "This drink tastes like lemony ass!"

I'm sure that it didn't originate there, but it may explain how it entered your sphere.

can't be arsed

[(Anonymous)]

I first saw this use of ass ("tastes like ass", "looks like ass") when reading california-based lindy hop forums -- also various online journals from younger folks than me. I certainly didn't grow up hearing it.

Anita Rowland (http://www.anitarowland.com/)