Twisted Wonderland Swear Ranking
Note: These localizations are not literal translations (“くそ” does not literally mean “to damn something,” for example), and are more so examples of what the characters might be saying if they were speaking American English.
As what constitutes a bad word can vary by person, culture, dialect, country, etc., a wide range has been included, drawing from the main story, events and vignettes.
This is a collaboration with the wonderful mumble (Twitter / Tumblr) to whom I am most grateful for the wonderful explanations ♡
#1: くそ (kuso)
English equivalents: Dammit/damn it, damn, god damn it, shit, bloody hell, fucking hell, fuck
EN localization: Argh, Aaaaargh, numbskull, Rrrgh, Rgh, “For cryin’ out loud,” Consarnit, blast, curses, confound it, drat. An interjection used to express feelings like anger, frustration, disappointment.
General Lilia, Ace, Jamil Grim, Deuce, Cater, Epel, Idia, Kalim and General Lilia all use this word.
#2 ち (tch)
Not so much a word as it is an onomatopoeia, “tch” is still very impolite and is used to express frustration or disdain. It can be considered equivalent to clicking one’s tongue, tsking, or tutting.
When it is not removed from EN this word is localized as Ugh, Hrmph,”aw maaan,” “oh, poo,” man, and “tch.”
Leona is the #1 user of this sound. It was initially changed to sounds like “ugh” and “hmph” in Leona’s EN-dialogue until the middle of Book 2, when it started to be written literally. While less rude, this ranking has also counted the more childish/playful version ちぇ (tche), said by characters like Kalim and Ace.
General Lilia, Floyd, Ace, Azul, Idia, Jamil, Sebek, Cater, and Baur all use this sound.
#3 馬鹿 / バカ (baka)
English equivalents: Idiot, moron, fool, dumb ass, dummy, stupid
EN localization: “Are you payin’ attention?,” “Are ya braindead?,” chump, “Are you kidding?,” “hah,” dimwit, chump, Loosey-Deucey, knucklehead, blockhead, sucker, “pipe down,” fool, hopeless, stooges, schmucks, idjit, “cheating yourself,” stupid, nincompoop.
Leona is the #1 user of this word in the main story. Ace, Lilia, Sebek, Azul, Deuce, Jamil, Maleanor, Jack, Jade, Floyd, Epel, Vil and Idia all use this word.
Q: Does “baka” actually count as a swear word?
A: The degree to which an expression is insulting can vary very much! “Baka,” for example, is extremely insulting in places like Osaka.
There is much English-language information available on the subject, such as this article: “Although the baka meaning can take many forms, there is certainly a negative connotation attached to it (it is a swear word after all)…it’s the go-to word when you really want to curse someone out in the Kansai region.”
#4 野郎 (yarou)
English equivalents: “Yarou” has a literal meaning of “guy” or “dude”, but can be used in a derogatory manner with a meaning of “asshole” or “jackass”.
EN localization: jerk, punk, swindler, snake, lousy, lout.
This word can be attached to an otherwise neutral noun to turn it into an insult, which Leona has a penchant for doing, depending on who he is talking about (e.g., snake-yarou for Jamil, octopus-yarou for Azul, etc.).
Leona uses this word often. Unnamed students, Azul, Deuce and soldiers also use it, while General Lilia will sometimes use it to refer to his own men.
#5 ちくしょう (chikushou)
An interjection used to express feelings like anger, frustration, disappointment
English equivalents: Dammit/damn it, damn, god damn it, shit, bloody hell, fucking hell, fuck
EN localization: Dagnabbit, confound it, “maaan,” “blast it all”
This word is used by General Lilia, Epel, Ace, unnamed students, Deuce and Sebek.
#6 間抜け (manuke)
This word is used to insult someone for lacking awareness or being absent-minded.
English equivalents: fool, moron, blockhead, half-wit, idiot.
EN localization: idiot
Leona and Jamil use this word.
#7 アホ (aho)
English equivalents: A common insult similar to “idiot” or “stupid.”
EN localization: “moron,” “chump,” “nincompoop”
This word used by Ace, Deuce (in a more slang way) and Sebek in the main story.
Twisted Wonderland Reference Note 