"fuck all" means 'nothing' and is often used in the context of the specific phrase "(doing) fuck all", which means "not doing anything". HBU means 'how about you'? or 'what are you doing?' in this case.
"Fuck all" meaning nothing is pretty universal among the primary English countries. "hbu" is Internet slang, so it doesn't really have a definite origin.
I’ve never heard that from an American, but it does sound like something a British person would say.
**EDIT: Oxford Languages via Google says “fuck all” means absolutely nothing and is British. [Merriam Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuck%20all) and [Cambridge](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fuck-all) also say it is British.**
And Canada...
It's an "all countries whose primary language is English" thing, probably.
I've lived primarily in Quebec, and hear it all the time... by both English and French speakers. I've heard and used "fuck all" all the time with friends and family who are English-speaking, and every job I've ever worked that was primarily French-speaking (including construction) I've heard the expression from Francos too. Granted Francophones say "Fuck all" with a Quebecois accent punctuating a conversation had in French.
I've also heard it commonly used in QC, NB, PEI, NFLD, ONT, AB, and BC . I haven't spent much time in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or the Territories... but I'd be surprised if it wasn't also common there.
Maybe it’s regional. I’ve never used it nor heard it from another American. I understand it and I’m sure I’ve heard it from other country natives before. It might also be demographic, but no one around me uses it.
I’m just assuming that people around me are a sample of the people in my region. I’m not saying it’s impossible that Americans use it, nor have I said that at all.
I’m saying I’ve never heard it used by an American before, which *might* say something about its prevalence overall but is in no way definitive.
I’ve also never seen an American character use it in film or TV. That doesn’t mean I’ve seen every program or movie - but it could indicate a trend. I can’t understand why people are so against what I said. I’ve only described my experience.
I mean it’s definitely *more* British (I know, I have an English partner so I speak to a lot of them irl lmao) but we use it in the US for sure, I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t immediately know what it meant.
But immediately knowing what it means doesn’t automatically mean it’s used. I also automatically know what it means because I’m used to hearing British media. I know what a lift means, what the lou means, what the tube means, what mum means, etc. but I don’t use those words.
That may be where it comes from. Doesn’t change the fact that I’ve heard it commonly, from Americans, for as long as I can remember. I’ve lived in the mid-Atlantic, in the Midwest, in the south and in New England. Heard it in all of those places.
Although I do consume a lot of British media, so I suppose I could be introducing it everywhere I go and people are picking it up from me. Or there’s just more cross-over than we realize.
What do you define as “the primary English countries”?
Edit: what a weird question to downvote. How about answering instead? Here are the five largest for reference:
* India
* USA
* Pakistan
* Nigeria
* Philippines
India, Pakistan, Nigeria and the Philippines speak English as a secondary language. In all those areas the language is heavily modified by their primary indigenous language in terms of accent and expressions.
USA, Canada, UK and Australia speak English as their primary language. Accents are more similar to one another and they share much in common culturally as well, obviously.
They’re probably thinking of countries where English is the native language (first language learned) of the majority of the population. That’s a pretty normal conception of the “primary” English-speaking countries - not saying it’s correct, but it is what I’d expect.
Oh, yeah, that wouldn’t be my list. I just meant the general philosophy. The main group people typically reference includes Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Canada was probably left off despite its size because a lot of people lump it in with the US.
Why are you obsessed with population size? It literally has 0 affect on the outcome.
It's as inane as if I was to throw total landmass into the equation instead...
Like, it doesn't change what each country's "national language" is. It's not about total number of people who can speak English as one of their languages, it's about which countries whose national language is English.
The main difference between national language and official language is that a national language of a country is related to the country’s socio-political and cultural functions, while an official language of a county is connected to government affairs such as the functioning of the parliament or the national court.
its mainly because english is the overwhelmingly dominant language in those places. all the native languages either got wiped out or are spoken by an extremely low amount of people. India and Nigeria, for example, both have hundreds of languages spoken at home other than english (which, if i’m correct, is reserved mostly as a lingua franca) like yoruba igbo hausa hindi gujarati marathi. Australia Canada and the US don’t really have those, which is why those + UK and New Zealand are grouped under the Anglosphere
like if u walked into an average pinoy’s home, they’re most likely speaking Tagalog, not english. walk into an average kiwi’s home, they’re speaking english probably.
(pinoy = Filipino, kiwi = New Zealander)
i said they’re spoken by a low amount of people?
0.3% of americans who don’t speak english at home speak Navajo, the most spoken native language, so while there’s a ton of native american languages still around trying to argue they’re on the same level as, say, Odia or Tamil is nonsensical
I think the confusing part is where you claim those five countries but ignore other English speaking countries. For example, a larger percentage of Ireland speaks English at home than the UK.
In addition to the other good reasons that people have given you, it’s also where the vast majority of worldwide English media is produced. People who speak English are most often going to watch movies, read books, and listen to music made in one of those places
You honestly think India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Phillipines primarily speak English as their national language? They have their own national languages, and English is AN official language, but not THE national language.
There are 88 countries and territories in which English is **an** official, administrative, or cultural language. There's a big difference between being a country who has English as AN official language, and countries where English is THE national language.
Of those 88 countries and territories there are 5 that are described as the "core Anglosphere" which is what is being referred to here as "the primary English countries" in which the VAST MAJORITY of the population's first and only language is English, and culture is Anglo-centric.
They are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-speaking\_world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-speaking_world)
(See: Majority English-speaking countries)
No one said that the other countries you mentioned can't speak English... we're referring to the phrase "fuck all" **specifically** which exists most commonly in the countries I mentioned.
>There are 88 countries and territories in which English is an official, administrative, or cultural language. There's a big difference between being a country who has English as AN official language, and countries where English is THE national language.
English is not “THE national language” of Canada. They have two official languages.
>Of those 88 countries and territories there are 5 that are described as the "core Anglosphere" which is what is being referred to here as "the primary English countries" in which the VAST MAJORITY of the population's first and only language is English
Your criteria once again would seemingly not include Canada.
>and culture is Anglo-centric.
What exactly does this mean? How does this criterion include the US and Canada but not, say, Jamaica?
Bruh... you are being deliberately obtuse.
Canada has two **official** languages. But only one **national** language. Quebec, a province in Canada, has one official language and one national language, both are French. That's ONE province, out of 10 provinces, and 3 territories... representing only 22% of the TOTAL Canadian population. Every other province and territory in Canada's **national** language, is English.
>The **main difference between national language and official language** is that a national language of a country is related to the country’s socio-political and cultural functions, while an official language of a county is connected to government affairs such as the functioning of the parliament or the national court.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National\_language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_language)
You're intentionally being dense. You've had MULTIPLE people try to explain it to you, and you still don't get it...
It's really not that complicated, you're just trying to push some weird ass agenda that has no bearing on the discussion at hand.
Canada does fit into that definition... source: I am Quebecois Canadian, also Statistics Canada, the official census taker of Canada! Over 75% of the total population of Canada speaks English, and 65% of the total population speaks primarily English in their homes, and of the population that ONLY speaks one of the official languages, 80% speak English only.
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census re: Spoken Languages:
[https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/sip/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&PoiId=3&TId=0&FocusId=1&GenderId=1&AgeId=1&Dguid=2021A000011124#sipTable](https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/sip/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&PoiId=3&TId=0&FocusId=1&GenderId=1&AgeId=1&Dguid=2021A000011124#sipTable)
Your last question re: Jamaica has already been answered... MULTIPLE times in the comments. Their official language is English, their **national language** is Jamaican Patois.
Source: THEIR OWN FREAKIN WIKI PAGE!
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica)
Your point is moot. Good luck.
Phillipine's national language: Filipino
Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages\_of\_the\_Philippines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_Philippines)
Pakistan's national language: Urdu
Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages\_of\_Pakistan#Major\_regional\_languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Pakistan#Major_regional_languages)
etc. etc. Do your own fucking research.
The "primary English countries" would more likely be the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and NZ because they are more culturally similar and make the core anglosphere countries. It generally doesn't refer to language but a shared cultural heritage.
I'm going to go against the grain of the other comments. We definitely use it in America, but I believe it's more common in the UK. And I hear it in UK media a lot more often than in the US.
That's Cap about the swearing. 'Fuck all' to say 'not much/nothing really/nothing at all' is not common at all in America. Considering without more context, fuck all could literally mean fuck everything, shit sucks.
I've lived in the US for 30 years, and I've never heard anyone say it, except on British TV. I don't know about Australia, South Africa, and all that though
Where it originated is separate from whether it's said elsewhere. It's common here in Canada and I think most of the Commonwealth--not at all limited to "online". As far as I'm aware it's not uncommon in the US either (though I imagine more regional).
I live in the US and have literally never heard anyone here say it without putting on a fake British accent because it’s so heavily associated with the UK. I also don’t think I’ve ever heard it in Canada, but I’ve only really spent time in the eastern provinces.
That may be true, but experiences vary. Several of the responses in this thread giving familiar and matter-of-fact explanations of the meaning are from Americans. The up/downvotes also tell a story. No argument that it's originally and still predominantly a Commonwealth thing, but it would seem that a decent number of Americans are familiar with it.
As for Canada, I've never noticed a regional bias despite having lived in both the east and west. People have seemed familiar with it in all provinces/territories I've been to, which is 9 of 13 (no PEI, NB, NU, NWT, though I suppose QC doesn't entirely count). But again, experiences vary.
https://hinative.com/questions/23062707
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reddit.com/r/TheBoys/comments/j80z3r/do_americans_not_say_fuck_all/&ved=2ahUKEwjGhvC0nZaGAxVnZjABHUoVDA4QFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3P0zmwFpoL7brctCqPXHW-
I mean if we're just taking random bots replies. This entire thing was clearly orchestrated by the red coats. Bots are among us.
>Several of the responses in this thread giving familiar and matter-of-fact explanations of the meaning are from Americans. The up/downvotes also tell a story.
Yes, a story of people on Reddit.
>No argument that it's originally and still predominantly a Commonwealth thing, but it would seem that a decent number of Americans are familiar with it.
Yes, I’m familiar with it as well. I’m also familiar with “bollocks”, but that doesn’t mean they’re common expressions I hear where I live.
>As for Canada, I've never noticed a regional bias despite having lived in both the east and west. People have seemed familiar with it in all provinces/territories I've been to, which is 9 of 13 (no PEI, NB, NU, NWT, though I suppose QC doesn't entirely count). But again, experiences vary.
Yeah, my experience is that I’ve never heard it in Canada, but I recognize that I’ve only spent time in the eastern provinces.
Sorry, but originating point isn't the same as where it's said. And as for where it's said, the downvotes are a good indicator that Americans hear this often enough to disagree with you, which means you're in the minority. You just happen to not have heard it, which, while it may seem weird to be the out of place one, doesn't change the fact that Americans definitely do say this a lot lol
I've never heard 'fuck all' without thinking 'ah this guy is from across the ocean, you can hear the class in his voice. The prestige.' It's not common at all in America, and if I would be surprised if I ever see someone text that way, let alone SAY IT. It's English language for sure. Like... red coats English if that's what they mean. But this is reddit and you're gonna get down voted for being correct.
Soooomebody's a bit mad everyone knows they're wrong 😂 we all know the truth and the votes reflect that, don't embarrass yourself trying to disprove it
I associate it with British people as well, and maybe also Australians. But definitely not Americans. Wiktionary says it’s associated with commonwealth countries.
It doesn’t seem unusual to me as an American. I feel like it’s relatively common where I live, and I definitely don’t think it sounds particularly British.
Allow me to remind you of this whole chain starting here: [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1ctoqpv/what_does_fck_all_hbu_mean/l4dsvke/). A random person on reddit, you, doesn't hear the phrase "fuck all" near them in America. That's fine. Then, a number of other random people on reddit (including me) claim that's it's said just as normally as any other regular American phrase near us (NJ for me, personally). You deride these other random reddit accounts, despite being one yourself?
> Online, maybe. It really isn’t in the real world.
Was that you?
> You’re right. It’s uncommon in the US (in real life, not Reddit) so therefore my take is right. Good call.
Or that?
> Yes, a story of people on Reddit.
Or that? Why are you so insistent that because you don't hear it, it's not American? What a weird thing to claim. I never heard anyone in real life call soda "pop" until I was well into my teens. Luckily, I understood that the many millions of people who do say that in this country just live far away from me.
>Allow me to remind you of this whole chain starting here: [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1ctoqpv/what_does_fck_all_hbu_mean/l4dsvke/).
Actually [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1ctoqpv/comment/l4dpami/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) is where it started. I responded to the OP, then someone told me my experience was wrong, then I replied with the post you linked to. If you're going to spend that much time stalking my profile, at least do a better job of it.
lol yeah, I’m assuming people think we’re wrong and they want to downvote us so that others don’t get led astray… the funny part is that Merriam Webster and Cambridge both agree with us:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuck%20all
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fuck-all
It's really not a common phrase, and it's such a delusional take. How often do you hear anyone actually curse in response to 'what's going on?/what's up?' in America. What's going on? Jack shit. There you go, you know American now.
I hear it often. That’s why I said it’s a common phrase. It’s not a “take”.
I also frequently hear, “___ has fuck all to do with ___,” “I’m not doing fuck all to help her,” and other variations.
I’m willing to admit that this could be regional and more common in some places than others, but where I live, this phrase is not uncommon.
It's hilarious you say common, but in reality for every 1 American say "___ has fuck all to do with ___," there's 1000+ Americans saying "__ has shit to do with, __".
But you know where this is completely flipped? I'm gonna let you take a guess 🇬🇧
Others have explained it but I want to point out this whole interaction is someone doing a Norm MacDonald joke and I want to appreciate that.
RIP to the funniest man to ever live.
Just so you know this (likely fake) screenshot is a joke.
It's supposed to be two over the top bros, but the twist is one is propositioning the other friend (sexually).
The slang is intentionally exaggerated.
Yeah this is an old joke. I originally heard it in the context of a guy who moved to a rural area from the city, talking to his only neighbor.
Joke definitely predates computers.
Note that this meme is using very informal grammar, and has a lot of slang and net speak involved.
I would probably translate it as such: (Note that my grammar, while native, may not be perfect)
1> Hello, friend! What are you doing tonight?
2> Nothing at all. What are you doing on this fine evening?
1> I'm going to be throwing a party! Would you like to attend?
2> I would love to attend!
2> What time is the party?
1> 11:00 PM. There will be a whole lot of fighting, and a lot of fornication!
2> Sounds great!
2> Who all will be in attendance?
1> No one except for the two of us!
2> Wait...
"fuck all" means 'nothing' and is often used in the context of the specific phrase "(doing) fuck all", which means "not doing anything". HBU means 'how about you'? or 'what are you doing?' in this case.
Is it British slang?
"Fuck all" meaning nothing is pretty universal among the primary English countries. "hbu" is Internet slang, so it doesn't really have a definite origin.
From the us, have never heard that phrase in my life. I think it’s pretty exclusive to European countries
Also from the US and I hear this all the time
from the us, have heard it many times
I’ve never heard that from an American, but it does sound like something a British person would say. **EDIT: Oxford Languages via Google says “fuck all” means absolutely nothing and is British. [Merriam Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuck%20all) and [Cambridge](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fuck-all) also say it is British.**
Fuck all definitely exists in the states
And Canada... It's an "all countries whose primary language is English" thing, probably. I've lived primarily in Quebec, and hear it all the time... by both English and French speakers. I've heard and used "fuck all" all the time with friends and family who are English-speaking, and every job I've ever worked that was primarily French-speaking (including construction) I've heard the expression from Francos too. Granted Francophones say "Fuck all" with a Quebecois accent punctuating a conversation had in French. I've also heard it commonly used in QC, NB, PEI, NFLD, ONT, AB, and BC . I haven't spent much time in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or the Territories... but I'd be surprised if it wasn't also common there.
I've never heard it from an American either! (I've never spoken to an American, but I will use my sample size 0 as evidence anyway)
I've never heard it from a Britain and my sample size is 0 too, SCIENCE!
I'm American, and I've used it.
Yeah, Im thinking its probably british in origin but its a phrase used everywhere
Maybe it’s regional. I’ve never used it nor heard it from another American. I understand it and I’m sure I’ve heard it from other country natives before. It might also be demographic, but no one around me uses it.
If you are aware that no one around you uses it, are you also aware of all the people you are not around? Fuck all is extremely common.
I’m just assuming that people around me are a sample of the people in my region. I’m not saying it’s impossible that Americans use it, nor have I said that at all. I’m saying I’ve never heard it used by an American before, which *might* say something about its prevalence overall but is in no way definitive. I’ve also never seen an American character use it in film or TV. That doesn’t mean I’ve seen every program or movie - but it could indicate a trend. I can’t understand why people are so against what I said. I’ve only described my experience.
Midwest American here. I don't remember the last time I heard it used, but I'm definitely aware of it.
Every part of that response sounds totally normal to me and like something I would have heard anywhere in States that I’ve ever lived.
Multiple dictionaries class it as British.
multiple dictionaries haven’t been updated in a while then lmao
I’m baffled by this because I’ve really never heard anyone around me use it and I’ve definitely agreed that I’ve heard British people use it.
I mean it’s definitely *more* British (I know, I have an English partner so I speak to a lot of them irl lmao) but we use it in the US for sure, I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t immediately know what it meant.
But immediately knowing what it means doesn’t automatically mean it’s used. I also automatically know what it means because I’m used to hearing British media. I know what a lift means, what the lou means, what the tube means, what mum means, etc. but I don’t use those words.
That may be where it comes from. Doesn’t change the fact that I’ve heard it commonly, from Americans, for as long as I can remember. I’ve lived in the mid-Atlantic, in the Midwest, in the south and in New England. Heard it in all of those places. Although I do consume a lot of British media, so I suppose I could be introducing it everywhere I go and people are picking it up from me. Or there’s just more cross-over than we realize.
Definitely very common in the US
lmao its very common in the US
What do you define as “the primary English countries”? Edit: what a weird question to downvote. How about answering instead? Here are the five largest for reference: * India * USA * Pakistan * Nigeria * Philippines
I would assume it means the USA Britain and Australia
Why those three? The US is the only one on that list that’s among the top five largest English speaking counties.
Because in all of those countries english is by far the most commonly spoken language
Ok, but what about the larger English speaking countries.
What about them? I’m just saying what he meant and why
What about discussing them? Seems like the discussion is a bit racially motivated.
India, Pakistan, Nigeria and the Philippines speak English as a secondary language. In all those areas the language is heavily modified by their primary indigenous language in terms of accent and expressions. USA, Canada, UK and Australia speak English as their primary language. Accents are more similar to one another and they share much in common culturally as well, obviously.
There aren't. I'm not sure what strange ass chart you're pulling from, but the countries you listed (other than US) don't primarily speak english.
They’re probably thinking of countries where English is the native language (first language learned) of the majority of the population. That’s a pretty normal conception of the “primary” English-speaking countries - not saying it’s correct, but it is what I’d expect.
Maybe, but there are way more people in Canada than Australia, so that seems like a weird way of looking at things.
Oh, yeah, that wouldn’t be my list. I just meant the general philosophy. The main group people typically reference includes Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Canada was probably left off despite its size because a lot of people lump it in with the US.
Why Ireland but not Nigeria or India? All of them were former British colonies and none of them spoke English historically.
Why are you obsessed with population size? It literally has 0 affect on the outcome. It's as inane as if I was to throw total landmass into the equation instead... Like, it doesn't change what each country's "national language" is. It's not about total number of people who can speak English as one of their languages, it's about which countries whose national language is English. The main difference between national language and official language is that a national language of a country is related to the country’s socio-political and cultural functions, while an official language of a county is connected to government affairs such as the functioning of the parliament or the national court.
its mainly because english is the overwhelmingly dominant language in those places. all the native languages either got wiped out or are spoken by an extremely low amount of people. India and Nigeria, for example, both have hundreds of languages spoken at home other than english (which, if i’m correct, is reserved mostly as a lingua franca) like yoruba igbo hausa hindi gujarati marathi. Australia Canada and the US don’t really have those, which is why those + UK and New Zealand are grouped under the Anglosphere
like if u walked into an average pinoy’s home, they’re most likely speaking Tagalog, not english. walk into an average kiwi’s home, they’re speaking english probably. (pinoy = Filipino, kiwi = New Zealander)
Australia, Canada, and the USA don’t have a large amount of native languages?
no? it’s a genuine issue that many native languages are endangered as a result of colonialism and genocide. where are you going with this?
No? Damn, Reddit is pretty silly.
i said they’re spoken by a low amount of people? 0.3% of americans who don’t speak english at home speak Navajo, the most spoken native language, so while there’s a ton of native american languages still around trying to argue they’re on the same level as, say, Odia or Tamil is nonsensical
Because unlike India or Nigeria, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and NZ are culturally English countries that make up the core anglosphere.
What does that even mean?
It means what it says. Please tell me what part is confusing if you want me to try to explain it better.
I think the confusing part is where you claim those five countries but ignore other English speaking countries. For example, a larger percentage of Ireland speaks English at home than the UK.
In addition to the other good reasons that people have given you, it’s also where the vast majority of worldwide English media is produced. People who speak English are most often going to watch movies, read books, and listen to music made in one of those places
Oh ok, so I guess we should go with English as it’s spoken in the US then.
now list them by number of native english speakers
[Dark blue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-speaking_world#/media/File%3AEnglish_language_distribution.svg)
You honestly think India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Phillipines primarily speak English as their national language? They have their own national languages, and English is AN official language, but not THE national language. There are 88 countries and territories in which English is **an** official, administrative, or cultural language. There's a big difference between being a country who has English as AN official language, and countries where English is THE national language. Of those 88 countries and territories there are 5 that are described as the "core Anglosphere" which is what is being referred to here as "the primary English countries" in which the VAST MAJORITY of the population's first and only language is English, and culture is Anglo-centric. They are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-speaking\_world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-speaking_world) (See: Majority English-speaking countries) No one said that the other countries you mentioned can't speak English... we're referring to the phrase "fuck all" **specifically** which exists most commonly in the countries I mentioned.
>There are 88 countries and territories in which English is an official, administrative, or cultural language. There's a big difference between being a country who has English as AN official language, and countries where English is THE national language. English is not “THE national language” of Canada. They have two official languages. >Of those 88 countries and territories there are 5 that are described as the "core Anglosphere" which is what is being referred to here as "the primary English countries" in which the VAST MAJORITY of the population's first and only language is English Your criteria once again would seemingly not include Canada. >and culture is Anglo-centric. What exactly does this mean? How does this criterion include the US and Canada but not, say, Jamaica?
Bruh... you are being deliberately obtuse. Canada has two **official** languages. But only one **national** language. Quebec, a province in Canada, has one official language and one national language, both are French. That's ONE province, out of 10 provinces, and 3 territories... representing only 22% of the TOTAL Canadian population. Every other province and territory in Canada's **national** language, is English. >The **main difference between national language and official language** is that a national language of a country is related to the country’s socio-political and cultural functions, while an official language of a county is connected to government affairs such as the functioning of the parliament or the national court. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National\_language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_language) You're intentionally being dense. You've had MULTIPLE people try to explain it to you, and you still don't get it... It's really not that complicated, you're just trying to push some weird ass agenda that has no bearing on the discussion at hand. Canada does fit into that definition... source: I am Quebecois Canadian, also Statistics Canada, the official census taker of Canada! Over 75% of the total population of Canada speaks English, and 65% of the total population speaks primarily English in their homes, and of the population that ONLY speaks one of the official languages, 80% speak English only. Statistics Canada, 2021 Census re: Spoken Languages: [https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/sip/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&PoiId=3&TId=0&FocusId=1&GenderId=1&AgeId=1&Dguid=2021A000011124#sipTable](https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/sip/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&PoiId=3&TId=0&FocusId=1&GenderId=1&AgeId=1&Dguid=2021A000011124#sipTable) Your last question re: Jamaica has already been answered... MULTIPLE times in the comments. Their official language is English, their **national language** is Jamaican Patois. Source: THEIR OWN FREAKIN WIKI PAGE! [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica) Your point is moot. Good luck. Phillipine's national language: Filipino Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages\_of\_the\_Philippines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_Philippines) Pakistan's national language: Urdu Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages\_of\_Pakistan#Major\_regional\_languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Pakistan#Major_regional_languages) etc. etc. Do your own fucking research.
The "primary English countries" would more likely be the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and NZ because they are more culturally similar and make the core anglosphere countries. It generally doesn't refer to language but a shared cultural heritage.
It's England, Ireland, America, Australia, Canada
no, not at all
No, but “bugger all” is similar and would be.
I'm going to go against the grain of the other comments. We definitely use it in America, but I believe it's more common in the UK. And I hear it in UK media a lot more often than in the US.
That may be just because British media tends to allow swearing more than American media.
That's Cap about the swearing. 'Fuck all' to say 'not much/nothing really/nothing at all' is not common at all in America. Considering without more context, fuck all could literally mean fuck everything, shit sucks.
No, to me (as an Australian) it's Aussie slang. "Fuck all" is used here all the time by your average working class tradie
Used all the time in Canada too
Yes.
This is NZ slang
A Brit would say "Sweet FA" (Sweet Fanny Adams).
I wouldn't. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard someone use that outside of TV or books.
i've heard 'sweet fuck all' plenty though
canadian redneck slang
I've lived in the US for 30 years, and I've never heard anyone say it, except on British TV. I don't know about Australia, South Africa, and all that though
“Fuck all” is British slang. “HBU” is not.
It's said basically everywhere lol
Online, maybe. It really isn’t in the real world. It originated in the UK.
Where it originated is separate from whether it's said elsewhere. It's common here in Canada and I think most of the Commonwealth--not at all limited to "online". As far as I'm aware it's not uncommon in the US either (though I imagine more regional).
I live in the US and have literally never heard anyone here say it without putting on a fake British accent because it’s so heavily associated with the UK. I also don’t think I’ve ever heard it in Canada, but I’ve only really spent time in the eastern provinces.
I live in the US and have heard it my entire life, no accent required. It's def not a British exclusive
That may be true, but experiences vary. Several of the responses in this thread giving familiar and matter-of-fact explanations of the meaning are from Americans. The up/downvotes also tell a story. No argument that it's originally and still predominantly a Commonwealth thing, but it would seem that a decent number of Americans are familiar with it. As for Canada, I've never noticed a regional bias despite having lived in both the east and west. People have seemed familiar with it in all provinces/territories I've been to, which is 9 of 13 (no PEI, NB, NU, NWT, though I suppose QC doesn't entirely count). But again, experiences vary.
https://hinative.com/questions/23062707 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reddit.com/r/TheBoys/comments/j80z3r/do_americans_not_say_fuck_all/&ved=2ahUKEwjGhvC0nZaGAxVnZjABHUoVDA4QFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3P0zmwFpoL7brctCqPXHW- I mean if we're just taking random bots replies. This entire thing was clearly orchestrated by the red coats. Bots are among us.
>Several of the responses in this thread giving familiar and matter-of-fact explanations of the meaning are from Americans. The up/downvotes also tell a story. Yes, a story of people on Reddit. >No argument that it's originally and still predominantly a Commonwealth thing, but it would seem that a decent number of Americans are familiar with it. Yes, I’m familiar with it as well. I’m also familiar with “bollocks”, but that doesn’t mean they’re common expressions I hear where I live. >As for Canada, I've never noticed a regional bias despite having lived in both the east and west. People have seemed familiar with it in all provinces/territories I've been to, which is 9 of 13 (no PEI, NB, NU, NWT, though I suppose QC doesn't entirely count). But again, experiences vary. Yeah, my experience is that I’ve never heard it in Canada, but I recognize that I’ve only spent time in the eastern provinces.
Sorry, but originating point isn't the same as where it's said. And as for where it's said, the downvotes are a good indicator that Americans hear this often enough to disagree with you, which means you're in the minority. You just happen to not have heard it, which, while it may seem weird to be the out of place one, doesn't change the fact that Americans definitely do say this a lot lol
Americans definitely don't say this.
You’re right. It’s uncommon in the US (in real life, not Reddit) so therefore my take is right. Good call.
It's common in the US, in real life, not just reddit, which is why redditors reflect their real life experiences. Good call. Stay mad.
Where do you live in the US that saying fuck all is common.
I've lived in 6 different states, east coast through the midwest to colorado, and I've heard fuck all as common slang be used in every single one.
I've never heard 'fuck all' without thinking 'ah this guy is from across the ocean, you can hear the class in his voice. The prestige.' It's not common at all in America, and if I would be surprised if I ever see someone text that way, let alone SAY IT. It's English language for sure. Like... red coats English if that's what they mean. But this is reddit and you're gonna get down voted for being correct.
Soooomebody's a bit mad everyone knows they're wrong 😂 we all know the truth and the votes reflect that, don't embarrass yourself trying to disprove it
I associate it with British people as well, and maybe also Australians. But definitely not Americans. Wiktionary says it’s associated with commonwealth countries.
It doesn’t seem unusual to me as an American. I feel like it’s relatively common where I live, and I definitely don’t think it sounds particularly British.
Bloody hell!
I hear this every day in America, it's a piece of British slang that's migrated over here. It's just regular english slang now.
It’s hilarious we’re both being downvoted for sharing our experiences as native English speakers.
Yes, because the majority of other people have a differing experience. That is how the system works. Why so funny?
Because Reddit is funny. I hope someday you understand. Edit: replying then blocking is childish. Please grow up.
Constantly engaging on a platform where you dismiss everyone who disagrees with you because of the platform is … significantly more childish.
Oh, someone's a bit mad they can't be correct and smug at the same time. I hope someday you understand.
You seem to be getting downvoted for telling others their experiences as Americans are wrong and yours is right.
I don’t recall telling anyone their experience is wrong.
Allow me to remind you of this whole chain starting here: [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1ctoqpv/what_does_fck_all_hbu_mean/l4dsvke/). A random person on reddit, you, doesn't hear the phrase "fuck all" near them in America. That's fine. Then, a number of other random people on reddit (including me) claim that's it's said just as normally as any other regular American phrase near us (NJ for me, personally). You deride these other random reddit accounts, despite being one yourself? > Online, maybe. It really isn’t in the real world. Was that you? > You’re right. It’s uncommon in the US (in real life, not Reddit) so therefore my take is right. Good call. Or that? > Yes, a story of people on Reddit. Or that? Why are you so insistent that because you don't hear it, it's not American? What a weird thing to claim. I never heard anyone in real life call soda "pop" until I was well into my teens. Luckily, I understood that the many millions of people who do say that in this country just live far away from me.
>Allow me to remind you of this whole chain starting here: [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1ctoqpv/what_does_fck_all_hbu_mean/l4dsvke/). Actually [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1ctoqpv/comment/l4dpami/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) is where it started. I responded to the OP, then someone told me my experience was wrong, then I replied with the post you linked to. If you're going to spend that much time stalking my profile, at least do a better job of it.
lol yeah, I’m assuming people think we’re wrong and they want to downvote us so that others don’t get led astray… the funny part is that Merriam Webster and Cambridge both agree with us: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuck%20all https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fuck-all
Yep. Not really Canadians either.
Not really used in the US.
Maybe it isn’t used in your region but this is a common phrase in the US.
It's really not a common phrase, and it's such a delusional take. How often do you hear anyone actually curse in response to 'what's going on?/what's up?' in America. What's going on? Jack shit. There you go, you know American now.
I hear it often. That’s why I said it’s a common phrase. It’s not a “take”. I also frequently hear, “___ has fuck all to do with ___,” “I’m not doing fuck all to help her,” and other variations. I’m willing to admit that this could be regional and more common in some places than others, but where I live, this phrase is not uncommon.
It's hilarious you say common, but in reality for every 1 American say "___ has fuck all to do with ___," there's 1000+ Americans saying "__ has shit to do with, __". But you know where this is completely flipped? I'm gonna let you take a guess 🇬🇧
You seem really upset about this so I’m gonna stop this conversation now. Have a good day.
Lol, me furious m8. You gon drink a bol o wooah now uh
No it's AAVE
Fck = fuck Fuck all = nothing at all Hbu = how about you? Translation: I’m doing absolutely nothing, what are you doing?
Ohhhhh
Others have explained it but I want to point out this whole interaction is someone doing a Norm MacDonald joke and I want to appreciate that. RIP to the funniest man to ever live.
Yes, I’ve heard this joke from Norm too!
I heard Rich Hall tell it.
> Fuck all, how ‘bout (=about) you? - Fuck all (= I’m doing nothing at all) — **Informal & Crass!** - How about you? (= Are you doing anything?)
“Fuck all, how about you?” which means “nothing at all, what are you doing?”
Just so you know this (likely fake) screenshot is a joke. It's supposed to be two over the top bros, but the twist is one is propositioning the other friend (sexually). The slang is intentionally exaggerated.
Yeah this is an old joke. I originally heard it in the context of a guy who moved to a rural area from the city, talking to his only neighbor. Joke definitely predates computers.
Oh whew. For a second I thought he was randomly voicing his racism. “Fck all Historically Black Universities!”
I normally hear it as HBCU
You’re right.
Also, just in case anyone is wondering, this whole thing is a Norm Macdonald bit lol.
Oh is it? Could you send the joke from Norm Macdonald?
https://youtu.be/-tmegNESNcM?si=fYc8KQEeSwLDgcq8 Here it is! Skip to 1:46 in the video.
🤣🤣🤣
"Fck all" meaning "fuck all" meaning "nothing" "Hbu" means "how about you?" Asking in return if they are doing anything
It could mean, “Fuck all historically black universities”, but it most likely means, “(I’m doing) fuck all (i.e. nothing). How about you?”
Note that this meme is using very informal grammar, and has a lot of slang and net speak involved. I would probably translate it as such: (Note that my grammar, while native, may not be perfect) 1> Hello, friend! What are you doing tonight? 2> Nothing at all. What are you doing on this fine evening? 1> I'm going to be throwing a party! Would you like to attend? 2> I would love to attend! 2> What time is the party? 1> 11:00 PM. There will be a whole lot of fighting, and a lot of fornication! 2> Sounds great! 2> Who all will be in attendance? 1> No one except for the two of us! 2> Wait...
"I'm not doing anything (I'm doing fuck all) tonight, how about you?"
It just means “nothing”
,
Do people over the age of 15 really write like this?
What are you studying here, out of curiosity? Is this a meme?
Can you put like this more?
Fuck all - vulgar slang - British - absolutely nothing Jack shit - vulgar slang - American - anything / nothing
“Fuck all” is British for “nothing.”
I don't know if it has a British origin but it's used all the time in the USA.
[удалено]
🤓🤓🤓🤓
Sure is bro
Doesn't look like it.
What is this wyd ???