Is saying "pissed off" considered a swear word to you?

I use it in private situations, but try not to use it at work. I don’t think it is a curse word, although it is kinda harsh sounding.

I don’t consider it a swear word, but it’s not the most polite term. Obviously, since someone said something about it. If you’re in a place where someone who could raise a fuss might hear (like at work, in front of customers) just say “angry” instead of “pissed off.”

No. I used to think of it as a swear word but I don’t anymore. Don’t ask me why/how it changed because I really don’t know.

I agree with the older man as that vernacular is not what I would consider “professional” dialogue and there are many other more appropriate descriptors to use in a work setting especially within earshot of customers, co-workers and the boss.

We weren’t allowed to say it when I was growing up. I think sometimes we become so blase about things and nothing shocks us – even swear words. But to older generations, they are still swear words and they don’t want to hear them. I don’t think work is the appropriate place to express yourself that way.

I still filter myself when I’m with my mother. She doesn’t like the word and she says it dumbs people down. So as to not piss her off, I don’t use it around her.

I would consider it to be in the “curse word” category.
Not appropriate for many work settings.

No, I dont think it’s been a swear since about 1950!

I think it is generational. I have never been corrected by someone younger than me whenever I have said it. and I’ve been known to say it quite a bit

My mother would prefer I say shit instead of pissed. I don’t get it either

No. Fuck no.

No.
But it’s not a term I’d use around my mom, but I’ll use it everywhere else.

You’re right, it isn’t a curse word. I have never seen it censored in a magazine (my personal baseline for identifying a swear wrod). But as jonsblond pointed out, its usage or non-usage is a generational thing. People over age 50 tend to categorize it as rude or vulgar language.

It’s not a phrase I would use in a professional setting unless I wanted to gain some extra attention for what I was saying. I would only use it amongst friends where we let it all hang out, or in a situation where I was trying to rally the troops: “I’m pissed off and I’m not going to take it anymore!”

I’m not sure I even really know what the definition of a swear word is. I know the list, but what gives those words the power of being swears—I don’t know. Maybe it’s just that polite people do not refer to elimination functions or sex when they are in polite company.

It’s not a swear word per-se, but it is coarse and vulgar. Certainly not something that one should use at work, especially if the public is involved. It kind of makes the user sound less than professional. If you sound like you talk “street” language, I’m sure that there are customers who are going to be less likely to approach you for assistance, and it also presents a negative image that the store would wish to avoid. As a representative of that establishment, you are somehat obligated to fall in line with store policy regarding “image”.

It’s definitely vulgar at the very least. I use it sometimes. When I was in retail, I’d say “cheesed off” if I knew customers were around.

I don’t usually use it unless I allow myself to be really pissed of by someone or something. That in itself is unusual.

It is definitely not appropriate for the work place, especially if customers are present.

The word “piss” was on the FCC’s “seven word” list made famous by the late, great George Carlin. Up until the seventies, it was forbidden on the airwaves, with a possibility of a fine. In the seventies, however, the FCC lightened up and allowed it, usually depending on dramatic context.

I remember one of the original SNL players (can’t remember if it was Jane Curtin or Laraine Newman) using the term “pissed off”, in a sketch. I have also heard it on several episodes of some of the current “cop” shows (Law & Order [original, CI, SVU], CSI [ original, Miami, New York], JAG, NCIS, NCIS-LA, and others.

Yes

Unless someone actually pissed on him. In his frustration of trying you wipe off the pee he kept saying, “Piss, off.”

You weren’t clear about whether the “older man” was a co-worker or not.

Nonetheless, I’d agree with him. Not so much because of the term itself, but because after you clock in, you represent the people you work for. If the people you work for is in the business of customer service, it’s probably a good idea for the employees to refrain from using phrases the customer might find objectionable.

So, if the “older man” took issue with the phrase, it’s reasonable to assume the customer might also.

Simply good business practice.

No, I don’t think it’s a swear word, nor do I think it’s vulgar in any way. I also have no problems with using it at work, or even around my boss (and I don’t use any traditional swear words at work). Perhaps it is a generational thing, as some other jellies have suggested, because prior to reading this question, I wouldn’t have suspected that some would find it vulgar. Perhaps it’s regarded differently by locale as well. In fact I’m pretty sure it has a different meaning in British slang than it does here in the U.S. Hmmm.

Thanks for the heads up guys, I may stop using it at work now, especially around those who are older than me.

It can also mean ‘really drunk” in some situations. I personally would not use it in a professional setting. Plus, like any other colorful word, it gets tiresome when overused, like “tennis elbow” or “earwigs.”

Irritated, aggravated, annoyed, angered, spitting bullets, cranky, crabby, cross, ready to strangle the customer…lots of choices.

It is but the stigma is largely gone except for old people.

@gailcalled I think “pissed” can be “drunk”. I don’t know of any context in which “pissed off” = “drunk”, although “pissed” can also be synonymous with “pissed off”.

Just don’t be pissed on.

I wouldn’t say it in front of my Nan (I can only just get away with the word “bloody” in front of her) or a customer and, in your case, I am not surprised that the man told you to watch your language if you are dealing with customers. I wouldn’t call it a swaer word (or at least not a really offensive one) but I still think it isn’t polit to use in a professional situation.

Pissed on is far worse.

Once upon a time, pissed also meant drunk!

I don’t think of it as a curse word, but I do feel it is impolite to say in a workplace environment, especially in front of customers that may take offense.

(Sorry. I should have said that it is “pissed” and not “pissed off.”)

English:

Piss – to urinate: “I’m going for a piss”
Not really swearing but is considered vulgar.

Pissed – total drunk (but not quite paralytic!): “I was well pissed last night!”
As above.

AAAAARRRrrrhhhhhh PISS! – annoyed/angry: “AAAAARRRrrrhhhhhh PISS!”
Definitely swearing.

Piss-off – Go away/nobhead: “Piss-off nobhead!”
As above.

Pissed-off – Vexed/annoyed/miffed: “work’s well pissed me off today!”
Not really swearing, but definitely not one to repeat in front of the young’ns.

No, I really don’t. I am not that sensitive to so-called “bad words”.

I pissed off a cliff once, blew back all over me.I swore i’d never do that again.

For a 5 year old, maybe.

Looks like it is a generational thing.
Seems like us older folks think of it in a harsher more offensive way.
But most agree that it is not usually suitable for a work situation.

Don’t get me wrong. I use the phrase, “pissed off” sometimes, but I don’t have a boss to get pissed off when I do. ;)

A bit crude but not a curse word.

Despite what some other users have said, the word is considered vulgar and inappropriate in many settings by every age group, depending on the circumstances. Even teens would probably not use it in a church or scout outing.

I also find the word suck to be vulgar and inappropriate, but I’m an admitted prude when it comes to language.

It’s a crude slang

“Piss” is not exactly polite language.

It’s a vulgarity. It isn’t swearing or cursing, but it is inappropriate language to use in a setting where you are interacting with customers.

No, it’s not really a swear word in my opinion but I concede it might now go over well when said in some circumstances.

Do I remember “piss poor,” which means really impoverished? Or did I invent that?

@gailcalled I guess it could mean that, but typically “piss poor” is used to evaluate “performance”. We had a saying in construction that:

Proper
Prior
Planning
Prevents
Piss Poor
Performance

@CyanoticWasp: Thanks. I was too lazy to look it up.

I don’t consider it rude, but I also would not consider it appropriate to use at work.

I consider it a swear word. If it sounds vulgar or nasty, then it’s a swear word. Not a word I’ve used nor ever will. Doesn’t sound very intelligent or classy at all. If I hear someone swear, for me it downgrades what I think of that person. I prefer intelligent language only. I don’t need to use nor hear swear words.