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Bullcrap vs. Bullshit — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 14, 2024
Bullcrap and bullshit both denote falsehood, but bullshit is harsher and more vulgar, often implying contempt or frustration.
Bullcrap vs. Bullshit — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Bullcrap and Bullshit

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Key Differences

Bullcrap refers to nonsensical or foolish talk, typically used in a somewhat mild and non-offensive context. Whereas, bullshit carries a stronger connotation, used to express annoyance or discredit someone's statement as false or pretentious.
Bullcrap is often utilized in casual or semi-formal environments as a softer alternative to harsher swear words. On the other hand, bullshit is frequently used in informal settings and can be seen as rude or even offensive.
When someone says "bullcrap," they might be dismissing what is being discussed but without strong emotional weight. In contrast, declaring something as "bullshit" usually conveys a deeper level of disbelief or irritation towards the information or idea being presented.
The choice between bullcrap and bullshit can also reflect the speaker's attitude or the seriousness of the conversation. Bullcrap might diffuse a situation with humor or light dismissal, whereas bullshit might escalate it due to its harshness.
Despite their differences in intensity and appropriateness, both terms are popular in American English for rejecting something one disagrees with or finds ridiculous. They serve as linguistic tools to express disapproval, albeit at different levels of severity.
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Comparison Chart

Connotation

Mild, less offensive
Harsh, offensive

Usage Context

Casual, semi-formal
Informal, casual

Emotional Weight

Light, dismissive
Strong, irritated

Appropriateness

More acceptable in diverse settings
Less acceptable, especially in formal contexts

Intensity

Lower
Higher

Compare with Definitions

Bullcrap

Misleading or deceptive talk.
She called bullcrap on his excuses.

Bullshit

Worthless, deceitful, or insincere talk.
Stop spewing bullshit and be honest.

Bullcrap

Nonsense; foolish words or ideas.
He dismissed the rumors as bullcrap.

Bullshit

Lies or falsehoods; particularly blatant.
He was tired of the bullshit he heard at work.

Bullcrap

A mild expletive to express disbelief.
Oh bullcrap! That can't be true.

Bullshit

Ridiculous or nonsensical talk with deceptive intent.
She said it was all just bullshit.

Bullcrap

Something of no value; trivial.
All that talk is just bullcrap.

Bullshit

An expletive used to express extreme contempt or frustration.
This is bullshit! I won’t accept it.

Bullcrap

Useless or pointless discussion.
Let's skip the bullcrap and get to the point.

Bullshit

Bullshit (also bullshite or bullcrap) is a common English expletive which may be shortened to the euphemism bull or the initialism B.S. In British English, "bollocks" is a comparable expletive. It is mostly a slang term and a profanity which means "nonsense", especially as a rebuke in response to communication or actions viewed as deceptive, misleading, disingenuous, unfair or false.

Bullcrap

Bullshit

Bullshit

Foolish, deceitful, or boastful language.

Bullshit

Something worthless, deceptive, or insincere.

Bullshit

Insolent talk or behavior.

Bullshit

To speak foolishly or insolently.

Bullshit

To engage in idle conversation.

Bullshit

To attempt to mislead or deceive by talking nonsense.

Bullshit

Very angry; incensed.

Bullshit

Used to express extreme displeasure or exasperation.

Bullshit

Feces produced by a bull.

Bullshit

Statements that are false or exaggerated to impress or cheat the listener.
Don't pay any attention to him. He talks a lot of bullshit.

Bullshit

Statements that are transparently or offensively false.
That's total bullshit! I called your office and they said that you didn't come in!
Fucking load of bullshit! You smashed his skull and dropped the F-bomb at him, and now you're claiming that he assaulted you?!

Bullshit

(rhetoric) Statements that are intentionally misleading, whether true or not.

Bullshit

(philosophy) Statements made without regard for their truth value.

Bullshit

Senseid|en|any stuff}} {{synonym of shit}} {{qualifier.
These rules cover how to do your laundry, how to fold your shirts, how to shine your shoes... You know, all that bullshit.

Bullshit

A card game in which players try to discard their hands first, following rules that encourage bluffing, calling others' bluffs, and penalizing others by tricking them into inaccurate accusations.
Anyone want to play a few hands of bullshit?

Bullshit

Absurd, irrational, or nonsensical (Most often said of speech, information, or content.)
That's the most bullshit excuse I've ever heard.
Bulllshit jobs

Bullshit

To tell lies, exaggerate; to mislead; to deceive.
I think you're bullshitting. Let’s just call your office and see if you even came in.
You’re bullshitting me. I called your office and you never even came in.

Bullshit

To have casual conversation with no real point; to shoot the breeze.
I will probably just go and bullshit with Joe for awhile.

Bullshit

To come up with on the spot; to improvise.
We just went on stage and bullshitted the whole concert because we didn't know any songs.

Bullshit

An expression of disbelief at what one has just heard.

Bullshit

A ludicrously false statement.

Bullshit

To talk through one's hat.

Bullshit

Obscene words for unacceptable behavior;
I put up with a lot of bullshit from that jerk
What he said was mostly bull

Bullshit

Talk through one's hat;
The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it

Bullshit

Something completely unacceptable or ridiculous.
I can’t believe this bullshit.

Common Curiosities

Is it okay to use "bullshit" in a professional setting?

Generally, "bullshit" is not appropriate for professional settings due to its offensive nature.

What type of language is bullcrap?

Bullcrap is considered slang and a mild expletive.

Can bullcrap be used in formal writing?

Bullcrap is typically too casual for formal writing.

What is the origin of "bullshit"?

"Bullshit" has been in use since at least the early 20th century, originally in American English to describe nonsense.

How do the impacts of bullcrap and bullshit differ in conversation?

Bullshit tends to escalate confrontations due to its stronger connotation, whereas bullcrap might be used to diffuse tension.

Does bullcrap have the same impact as bullshit?

No, bullcrap is considered less intense and less offensive than bullshit.

Is bullcrap evolving in its usage over time?

Yes, like many slang terms, the usage and acceptance of bullcrap can shift over time.

Can the use of bullshit be seen as aggressive?

Yes, it can be perceived as aggressive and confrontational.

Why might someone choose to say bullcrap instead of bullshit?

To avoid using harsh language, especially in more controlled or respectful settings.

What does it indicate when someone uses the term bullshit?

It often indicates strong frustration or disbelief towards something perceived as deceitful or absurd.

Are there any synonyms for bullcrap and bullshit?

Yes, terms like "nonsense," "rubbish," or "baloney" can serve as less offensive synonyms.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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