Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Places
  4. / Europe
  5. / European Countries

by Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog on September 27th, 2005

Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog

Question

Help answer this question below.

In the UK, what's the difference between being the insult of being called a 'cow' or a 'mare'?

Share:
Other

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by mister_c on October 3rd, 2005

    mister_c

    Difficult to say, as in colloquial language everyone has their own ideas about what certain words mean and how offensive they may be.

    Both words are mild insults, although of course it depends upon how they are used and in what context.

    Both words are only appropriate to be used towards females. Calling a man a "cow" or a "mare" will only confuse him! It would be like calling a man a "bitch".

    Generally speaking, "cow" is probably more offensive than "mare". Don't ask me why, that's just how it is! It may be because a cow is percieved as being a slower, uglier animal than a horse.

    "Cow" is probably more universal than "mare" in that you are more likely to hear it in conversation. There are regional variations in how popular one word is over another which are far too complex to get into here! That's the nature of Britain, I'm afraid. Go 50 miles in any direction and you will hear people talking in a completely different accent and using different dialect words.

    Generally both words would be used with adjectives, as in "you stupid cow" and "she's a dozy mare."

    I hope this is useful. Ask a question about British slang and you won't hear any short answers!

    Comments
    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading In the UK, what's the difference between being the insult of being called a 'cow' or a 'mare'?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company