a lame and rather effeminate way of saying what everyone outside a little island in the middle of the sea calls "ass".
male british person 1: "good lord! have you seen that gorgeous gentleman's arse"
male british person 2: "he must be a really good cricket player"
male british person 2: "he must be a really good cricket player"
by engullelotodo October 9, 2009
by mee-how June 10, 2005
by davprad February 5, 2005
by ikickurarse August 20, 2005
The original variant of the vulgar word "ass" in American English.
Etymology:
Until the Victorian period, "ass" had no profane meaning and simply referred to what we now call the donkey. Because of the increasingly non-rhotic nature of standard British English, "arse" was often rendered "ass". The age of Victorian propriety resulted in the rechristening of the horse-like animal, changing the name to "donkey" to avoid any improper inferences. This usage was also adopted in America, which is why the word "arse" is not usually used in the United States. Some people in Britain have adopted the American version in writing. Although before World War I they were similar, the British pronunciations of "ass" (IPA /æs/) and "arse" (IPA /α:s/) are now quite different.
Source: Wikipedia.
Sorry, but "ass" just sounds more pleasantly vulgar.
Etymology:
Until the Victorian period, "ass" had no profane meaning and simply referred to what we now call the donkey. Because of the increasingly non-rhotic nature of standard British English, "arse" was often rendered "ass". The age of Victorian propriety resulted in the rechristening of the horse-like animal, changing the name to "donkey" to avoid any improper inferences. This usage was also adopted in America, which is why the word "arse" is not usually used in the United States. Some people in Britain have adopted the American version in writing. Although before World War I they were similar, the British pronunciations of "ass" (IPA /æs/) and "arse" (IPA /α:s/) are now quite different.
Source: Wikipedia.
Sorry, but "ass" just sounds more pleasantly vulgar.
Linguistic elitist Briton arses, like the ones on this definition, are known for their pathetic uses of etymology to try and insult the intellect of Americans and -- in this particular case -- Canadians.
by Shreve Lamb and Harmon September 28, 2005
by n00bs_pwn_all_^_^ January 21, 2007
a word that eternally petty british people use because they're probably still petty about our little tea party in boston and how we broke up with them a long time ago
by i don't care tbh July 17, 2017