The harshest words are often terms of affection. “Good cunt” is high praise.

The 10 most-used swear words in Australia, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   cunt KUNTInsult or compliment, depending on the adjective.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   fuckwit FUK-witA spectacular idiot.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   get rooted get ROO-tidGet stuffed. “Root” means sex.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   bastard BAR-stidOften affectionate: “you lucky bastard.”
   Rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   dickhead DIK-hedIdiot.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   piss off piss OFFGo away. “Pissed” means drunk.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   bloody BLUD-eeThe Great Australian Adjective.
   Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   drongo DRONG-goIdiot (from a racehorse that always lost).
   Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    galah guh-LARFool, after a noisy pink cockatoo.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    ratbag RAT-bagLovable troublemaker.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it