I can't be arsed to figure this out.

[SteveDallas]

So I'll ask . . .

What is the origin of the phrase "can't be arsed," which I've seen used a couple times here recently. I'm familiar with "arse" (in, at least, a theoretical sense), but I don't see how it came to be used in this context.

[monster]

I think it's short for "I can't be bothered to get off my arse to go do whatever it is".

[morethanpretty]

I can't be arsed, and if you don't ever try to, we'll get along fine. No, I do not mean it in the way monnie said.

[DanaC]

The Atlantic - The Great Divide

Two nations divided by a common language.
Oscar Wilde.


With swearing, context is everything. Words that are in common use in the UK are indecipherable to American ears, and vice versa. It takes more than just a simple 'bloody' (a corruption of 'By your Lady', a religious exclamation from the Middle Ages') to swear like a Brit. Most British swear-words have a history longer than that of the United States itself, evolving out of even older European languages such as Norse, High German and Latin (hence British phrases like 'a stream of Anglo-Saxon' or, most commonly, 'pardon my French'). For instance, the word 'ass' in American-English, meaning buttocks or anus, evolved from the British word 'arse'1. Before WW1, people in southern English would pronounce the word 'ass', meaning donkey, with a long 'a', making it indistinguishable from 'arse' in spoken English. Considered only moderately vulgar in the UK, it can be put to a number of different, often contradictory uses...

The phrase 'can't be arsed' signifies apathy or a lack of enthusiasm, yet to 'get your arse in gear' means to become organised or to 'hurry up.

'Arse over tit'/'tip', 'arse over apex', 'arse up' or 'arse about' are all phrases which describe a spectacular prattfall or clumsy action. The word 'prattfall', incidentally, also means 'arse over tit'; 'pratt' being an old word for 'arse' that has come to lose its meaning over the years. The word 'pratt' is still, however, used to this day to mean a fool.

A 'Smart arse' (signifying someone who is too clever for their own good) can be used either affectionately or to cause offence, while 'Silly arse' merely means a fool. To 'arse about' can also mean to play the fool. A 'short-arse', however, is someone with short legs.

A less-offensive term for 'posterior' in the UK is 'bum', which in America might referred to as 'butt'. It made its first appearance in around the 14th Century, and was put to good use by Shakespeare: In Measure for Measure, Escalus asks Pompey what his second name is. 'Bum, Sir' replies Pompey. To which Escalus replies 'Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that in the beastliest sense you are Pompey the Great.' (They don't tell 'em like that any more - thank goodness). However, in America the word as a noun has come to means tramp or hobo, while as a verb to mean 'scrounge' or borrow'.

From this site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A753527

I found it really interesting. I only went on looking for 'arsed' and ended up reading the whole thing :P

[Scriveyn]

Take Our Word For It - No answer to your question, SD. But I enjoyed reading this e-zine for many years. Sadly, they haven't updated in over two years, but the back issues make excellent reading if you're interested in etymology.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

What is the origin of the phrase "can't be arsed," which I've seen used a couple times here recently.

I love this phrase, and have used it on occasion. I believe I picked this up from Australian English-speakers.

[DanaC]

Arse and arsed is a much used word in the north. Young and old. My mum uses it and so do I.

Ass (in the American sense o fthe word) is more common than it used to be. Initially people started using it when quoting american movies, or just using an obvious Americanism. Now it's sort of made into the general lexicon. I was brought up though with Ass meaning donkey. 'Silly ass' was something my Dad would say, along with 'daft apeth' (daft halfpennyworth) and 'gutha' which I believe might have been a hindi word for 'ass'.

If I am on here and mum asks what I'm up to I would likely say 'arsing about in the Cellar'. If I cannot be bothered I would say 'I can't be arsed', or 'I can't be mithered.' Sometimes 'Arse' makes a good expletive. Very Father Ted.

My favourite expletive though is bastard! Sometimes expanded out to 'Bastard son of a bitch!' Also, something can be 'bastard big' (see Life on Mars for 'bastard big needles') I may well be 'bastarding late' for an interview :P Also something difficult might be 'a bastard', or might prove 'a bastard to do'.

[SteveDallas]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

I can't be arsed, and if you don't ever try to, we'll get along fine. No, I do not mean it in the way monnie said.

Look, you don't have to get all defensive, just because I asked to be behind you in the collage.

[Aliantha]

I have been saying "I can't be arsed" for months now. Unfortunately, I've had to get my arse into gear lately but it's been pretty easy considering what a lazy arse I'd become.

I like the word arse. I use it regularly. (my arse that is)

[ZenGum]

HI Ali, you've been quiet lately... everything ok?

/threadjack

[Aliantha]

Oh yes. All is well. I've just been working hard on getting the young fella into a good routine. It's left me little time to worry about posting on the cellar, although I've checked in a few times, I just couldn't be arsed posting.

[ZenGum]

All good then.