Posted by Martin Read on December 22, 1998 at 07:05:39:
In Reply to: Re: Shocking language in Ports of Call! posted by D. G. Wilson on December 20, 1998 at 08:09:49:
: : Well, not really, but I was a bit surprised to see the use of the word "arse" in a Jack Vance novel. I can't recall him using even mild swear words in any other book as he tends to use rather more ornate descriptions, and like Asimov, never ventures into the bedroom with his characters. Anyone care to comment, or correct me?
: : Philip
: Coarse expressions are not very rare in Vance. With respect to "arse" I recall the following.
: In "Showboat World" the epithet "devil's arse-wipe" is applied (I think) to Apollon Zamp.
: In "Book of Dreams" a schoolmate has instructed young Howard Alan Treesong to "kiss his arse" (of course the adult Howard is a major criminal with a long memory, so the schoolmate may regret his poor word choice).
What surprises me is that Vance as an American writer uses "Arse" rather than "Ass." Arse being the standard British usage for the backside, an ass being a donkey. Though Vance being both well-travelled and well-read is surprisingly well acquainted with British phrases, and even some rather archaic usages.
I presume the loss of "Arse" from general American usage was the result of Victorian prudery which affected America even more severely than Britain. Is this also the reason Americans use the ponderous cicumlocution (wow almost Vancean) "In back of" to avoid saying "Behind?"