The Asshole (word) reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Asshole (word)

This article is about the word "Asshole." For the card game sometimes known as "Asshole", see President (game)


Asshole (derived from the British word "arsehole") is a term referring to the anus. It is generally used as a profanity in expressing deep contempt for someone.

This word is found in colloquial speech in a number of cultures (in both English and in direct translation to other languages). This is due to the fact that it describes an organ of excretion that is considered a taboo region (belonging to the intimate parts) of the body in many societies.

The english word ass (meaning donkey, derived from the same root as its zoological name Equus asinus) may also be used as a term of contempt, referring to a silly or stupid person. In recent years, the words arse and ass have become synonymous in the United States, however in Great Britain and Australia, ass still only refers to the donkey, rather than the arse (anus).

The word is also used in society for satirical purposes. For example, the Idiot Son of an Asshole song is used to show people George W. Bush's wrong-doings.