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Thread: cockup

  1. #1
    yuanmingqing is offline Newbie
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    Default cockup

    Does cockup means making a mess of a job? Is it rude to use because of the word cock? Kindly cite me some examples to help me understand it.

  2. #2
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    5jj
    5jj is offline Moderator
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    Default Re: cockup

    Quote Originally Posted by yuanmingqing View Post
    Does "cock-up" means "making a mess of a job?" It can do.
    Is it rude to use because of the word "cock?". Some people prefer not to use this BrE expression, but many happily use it informally.
    Kindly cite me some examples to help me understand it.
    There was a cock-up over the arrangements for the dance; we haven't got a band!

    Kindly
    can sound a little demanding. It's safer to use please.

  3. #3
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    amigos4 is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: cockup

    Quote Originally Posted by yuanmingqing View Post
    Does cockup means making a mess of a job? Is it rude to use because of the word cock? Kindly cite me some examples to help me understand it.
    I have never heard "cockup" used in AmE. We would say something is "screwed-up" or "fu_ _ ed up".

    Anytime the word "cock" is used (when not referring to poultry) in AmE it will raise eyebrows! Its use in most instances would be considered rude.
    Barb_D likes this.

  4. #4
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: cockup

    It's not rude in BrE- it's slang, but not the same as cock alone.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: cockup

    It would definitely raise eyebrows, as said above, in the U.S. We seem quite afraid of this word. It feels vaguely pornographic. While the f-word is still considered very vulgar by many and impolite by just about all, it's ubiquitous. You'd cause less of a ruckus saying "f'ed up" than you would "cocked up" here.
    amigos4 likes this.
    I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.

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