Screwed vs Messed - What's the difference?
screwed | messed |
(slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.
(slang, British) intoxicated.
* James Joyce, Dubliners
(screw)
* 1641 , Richard Chambers (merchant), quoted in Hannis Taylor, The Origin and Growth of the English Constitution: An Historical Treatise, Part II: The After-Growth of the Constitution , H.O. Houghton & Company (1889),
(mess)
(obsolete) Mass; church service.
A quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision of food for a person or party for one meal; also, the food given to an animal at one time.
* Milton
A number of persons who eat together, and for whom food is prepared in common; especially, persons in the military or naval service who eat at the same table.
* 1610 , , IV. iv. 11:
A set of four (from the old practice of dividing companies into sets of four at dinner).
(US) The milk given by a cow at one milking.
(label) To take meals with a mess.
(label) To belong to a mess.
(label) To eat (with others).
(label) To supply with a mess.
A disagreeable mixture or confusion of things; hence, a situation resulting from blundering or from misunderstanding; a disorder.
(label) A large quantity or number.
(label) Excrement.
(label) To make a mess of.
(label) To throw into confusion.
(label) To interfere.
As verbs the difference between screwed and messed
is that screwed is (screw) while messed is (mess).As an adjective screwed
is (slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.screwed
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- They found out about our betrayal, so now we're screwed .
- Besides they were dreadfully afraid that Freddy Malins might turn up screwed . They would not wish for worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the influence
Usage notes
* Often employed as a bowdlerization, or substitution, for (fucked).Synonyms
* (sense) fucked, dicked, shagged (British)Derived terms
*See also
* screwed upUsage notes
Because the sexual act as a metaphor for domination is a frequent association for the term 'screwed', it is potentially offensive in polite circles.Verb
(head)- He screwed the boards together tightly.
- I got screwed at the swap meet yesterday.
p. 274,
- […] merchants are in no part of the world so screwed as in England. In Turkey, they have more encouragement.
References
messed
English
Verb
(head)mess
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) (m), partly from (etyl) . More at (m); see also (m).Noun
(es)- A mess of pottage.
- At their savoury dinner set / Of herbs and other country messes .
- the wardroom mess
- But that our feasts / In every mess have folly, and the feeders / Digest it with accustom,
- (Latimer)