what a shit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a shit" is not correct nor usable in written English.
It is considered a slang term and is considered impolite or even offensive in some contexts. A more appropriate phrase to use in written English would be "what a pity" or "what a shame". For example, "What a shame that the Mavericks lost the game last night."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

What a shit manager," she wrote, before adding: "Lets just get this straight!

The Guardian - Sport

What a shit manager!" At least the French coach will be spared the wrath of Mrs Distin.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, you did what you had to do, right?" Harriet thought about it for a second, and then said, with real feeling, "What a shit!" It has been more than a quarter century since "Heartburn" was published.

The New Yorker

He is endearingly cheerful when telling us how badly he has behaved, what a shit he has been to this or that woman or friend.

The Guardian - Books

You have not suffered a minor brain lesion, you are not all that bad at your job, your family and friends are not leagued in a conspiracy of barely maintained silence about what a shit you are, you have not come at last to see life as it really is".

The New Yorker

Mortimer once reported that Laurence Olivier had said that he hadn't realised, till he wrote it all down in his memoirs, what a shit he'd been all his life; Mortimer, whose Clinging to the Wreckage was published at the same time, said that he'd come to pretty much the same conclusion about himself.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Last year he joined US troops in Baghdad, as part of the official entertainment to lighten the post-invasion mood: "I spent 22 days over there, covered that country north, south, east and west, and I'm now qualified to say about Iraq - what a shit-hole this place is..

The Guardian

We're just saying, "Hey guys, this is what a shit-load of people who do the drugs you do happen to think is sensible.

Vice

"This is what a holy shit moment for global warming looks like" is how Mother Jones put it.

The New Yorker

"This Is What a Holy Shit Moment for Global Warming Looks Like," read a headline on the Web site of Mother Jones.

The New Yorker

"This Is What a Holy Shit Moment for Global Warming Looks Like," Mother Jones declared when the paper was released.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and context. Even in informal settings, this phrase may be offensive to some people.

Common error

Don't assume that "what a shit" is acceptable in all informal settings. It can be offensive, even among friends. Gauge your audience's sensitivity before using it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a shit" functions as an exclamatory interjection, expressing strong negative emotion such as disgust, disappointment, or frustration. Ludwig AI notes the phrase is considered slang and potentially offensive.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Social Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what a shit" appears in some media and informal contexts, it is generally considered incorrect and offensive for formal use. Ludwig AI highlights its status as slang and advises against its use in polite settings. The phrase functions as an exclamatory interjection to express strong negative emotions, but its vulgar nature limits its appropriateness. Consider milder alternatives like "what a mess" or "what a shame" to convey similar sentiments without causing offense. Remember to always gauge your audience and the context before using such language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What a mess

Replaces the vulgar term with a more polite expression for a disorganized or problematic situation.

What a disaster

Emphasizes the negative outcome, focusing on the failure or catastrophe of the situation.

What a shame

Conveys regret or disappointment about an unfortunate situation, softening the original phrase's impact.

How awful

Expresses strong disapproval or dislike, while remaining less offensive.

That's terrible

Indicates strong disapproval or that something is of very poor quality or nature.

What a disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of unmet expectations, suitable for less intense situations.

What a joke

Highlights the ridiculous or farcical nature of something.

This is unacceptable

Conveys a firm objection to something, typically in a more formal context.

This is outrageous

Expresses strong indignation or shock, often used when something is considered morally wrong.

How unfortunate

A more formal way to express regret or disappointment about something negative.

FAQs

What are some milder alternatives to "what a shit"?

You can use phrases like "what a mess", "what a shame", or "how awful" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use the phrase "what a shit" in writing?

It's generally inappropriate to use "what a shit" in formal or professional writing. Consider your audience and the tone you want to convey. Milder alternatives are usually more suitable.

How can I express strong disapproval without using offensive language?

You can use phrases like "this is unacceptable" or "this is outrageous" to express strong disapproval in a more appropriate manner.

What is the difference between "what a shit" and "what a mess"?

"What a shit" is a vulgar expression of disapproval, while "what a mess" is a milder way to describe a disorganized or problematic situation. The latter is more widely acceptable.