Screwed vs Shafted - What's the difference?
screwed | shafted |
(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),
(shaft)
fitted with a shaft
(heraldry, of a spear) Having a shaft and head of different tinctures.
(slang) screwed (in all senses); ripped off
In lang=en terms the difference between screwed and shafted
is that screwed is beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger while shafted is screwed (in all senses); ripped off.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.
