Bullshit vs. Crap — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 8, 2024
Bullshit emphasizes deception or falsehood, often with disregard for truth, while crap broadly denotes anything considered worthless or of poor quality, not necessarily linked to deceit.
Difference Between Bullshit and Crap
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bullshit is primarily used to describe statements or ideas that are intentionally deceptive, misleading, or devoid of any factual basis, focusing on the speaker's disregard for truth. Whereas, crap can refer to anything considered to be of poor quality, useless, or objectionable, regardless of its relation to truth or deception. It's a more versatile term that can apply to objects, situations, or even ideas but isn't inherently linked to the concept of truthfulness.
When discussing communication, calling something bullshit often implies a critique of the speaker's intentions or the content's authenticity, suggesting a manipulative or insincere effort to convince. On the other hand, labeling something as crap does not necessarily imply deceit but rather focuses on the low value or poor quality of the content or item in question.
In terms of emotional weight, bullshit can carry a stronger connotation of moral judgment or frustration towards the disregard for truth. Crap, while also potentially conveying frustration or disdain, lacks the specific implication of dishonesty or manipulation and is often used in a slightly less charged context.
The usage context also differs significantly; bullshit is more commonly applied in discussions about information, arguments, or rhetoric. Crap is used more broadly in various contexts, from describing substandard products or disappointing experiences to expressing dissatisfaction with a situation.
The perceived level of offense can vary; bullshit, because of its direct challenge to the truthfulness of a statement or the integrity of a speaker, can be seen as more confrontational. Crap, by contrast, is often perceived as less directly personal or accusatory, making it a milder term in many contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Statements or ideas intentionally deceptive, misleading, or devoid of factual basis.
Anything considered to be of poor quality, useless, or objectionable, without a specific link to deceit.
Relation to Truth
Has a direct relation to deceit and a disregard for truth.
Not necessarily related to truth or dishonesty.
Usage Context
More commonly used in discussions about information, arguments, or rhetoric.
Broadly used across various contexts, from products and experiences to situations.
Emotional Weight
Carries a stronger connotation of moral judgment or frustration.
Often conveys frustration or disdain but lacks the specific implication of dishonesty.
Perceived Offense
Seen as more confrontational due to the challenge to truthfulness.
Perceived as less personal or accusatory, making it a milder term.
Compare with Definitions
Bullshit
Material that is considered to be deceitful or morally suspect.
The book was filled with intellectual bullshit.
Crap
Material of very poor quality, regarded as worthless.
This cheap wine tastes like crap.
Bullshit
Actions or rhetoric intentionally crafted to deceive.
She called out the marketing scheme as bullshit.
Crap
Objects or products considered inferior or trashy.
The gadget broke after one use; total crap.
Bullshit
Statements made without regard to their truth, to manipulate.
His apology was pure bullshit.
Crap
Expressions of disdain for a situation or item.
He said the movie was crap compared to the book.
Bullshit
False or exaggerated statements made to impress or mislead.
The politician's promises turned out to be complete bullshit.
Crap
Situations that are highly unsatisfactory or disappointing.
I've had a crap day at work.
Bullshit
Talk or actions regarded as nonsensical or deceitful.
I can't stand listening to his bullshit anymore.
Crap
Ideas or talk deemed nonsensical or pointless, not necessarily deceitful.
Stop talking crap 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.
Crap
Something of extremely poor quality.
Bullshit
Foolish, deceitful, or boastful language.
Crap
Excrement.
Bullshit
Something worthless, deceptive, or insincere.
Crap
A losing throw of 2, 3, or 12 in craps.
Bullshit
Insolent talk or behavior.
Crap
Defecate.
Bullshit
To speak foolishly or insolently.
Crap
Talk at length in a foolish or boring way.
Bullshit
To engage in idle conversation.
Crap
Make a losing throw at craps
He put all his chips on the table and rolled the dice—sooner or later he had to crap out
Bullshit
To attempt to mislead or deceive by talking nonsense.
Crap
Extremely poor in quality.
Bullshit
Very angry; incensed.
Crap
Excrement.
Bullshit
Used to express extreme displeasure or exasperation.
Crap
An act of defecating.
Bullshit
Feces produced by a bull.
Crap
Foolish, deceitful, or boastful language.
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.
Crap
Cheap or shoddy material.
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?!
Crap
Miscellaneous or disorganized items; clutter.
Bullshit
(rhetoric) Statements that are intentionally misleading, whether true or not.
Crap
Insolent talk or behavior.
Bullshit
(philosophy) Statements made without regard for their truth value.
Crap
Used for intensive effect in idioms such as beat the crap out of (someone) for beat (someone) very badly.
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.
Crap
See craps.
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?
Crap
A losing first throw in the game of craps.
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
Crap
To defecate.
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.
Crap
To make a losing throw in the game of craps. Usually used with out.
Bullshit
To have casual conversation with no real point; to shoot the breeze.
I will probably just go and bullshit with Joe for awhile.
Crap
Used to express anger or displeasure.
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.
Crap
(obsolete) The husk of grain; chaff.
Bullshit
An expression of disbelief at what one has just heard.
Crap
Something worthless or of poor quality; junk.
The long-running game show went from offering good prizes to crap in no time.
Bullshit
A ludicrously false statement.
Crap
Nonsense; something untrue.
The college student boasted of completing a 10,000-word essay on Shakespeare, but that claim was utter crap.
Bullshit
To talk through one's hat.
Crap
Faeces/feces.
I stepped in some dog crap that was on the sidewalk.
Bullshit
Obscene words for unacceptable behavior;
I put up with a lot of bullshit from that jerk
What he said was mostly bull
Crap
An act of defecation.
I have to take a crap.
Bullshit
Talk through one's hat;
The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
Crap
A losing throw of 2, 3, or 12 in craps.
Crap
To defecate.
Crap
To defecate in or on (clothing etc.).
He almost crapped his pants from fright.
Crap
To bullshit. Also Australia?
Don't try to crap me: I know you're lying.
Crap
Of poor quality.
I drove an old crap car for ten years before buying a new one.
Crap
(slang) Expression of worry, fear, shock, surprise, disgust, annoyance, or dismay.
Oh crap! The other driver's going to hit my car!
Crap! I lost the game.
What the crap?!
Aw, crap, I have to start over again from the beginning of the level.
Crap
In the game of craps, a first throw of the dice in which the total is two, three, or twelve, in which case the caster loses. Also called craps.
Crap
Same as excrement and feces.
Crap
Nonsense; balderdash; bullshit; - also used as an expletive.
Crap
To defecate. Same as take a crap.
Crap
Obscene terms for feces
Crap
Obscene words for unacceptable behavior;
I put up with a lot of bullshit from that jerk
What he said was mostly bull
Crap
Have a bowel movement;
The dog had made in the flower beds
Common Curiosities
How does the context affect the use of these terms?
Bullshit is often used in contexts where truthfulness is in question, like debates or discussions, whereas crap can be used more broadly, including to describe substandard items or experiences.
What primarily distinguishes bullshit from crap?
Bullshit is mainly associated with deceit or falsehood, while crap refers to poor quality or worthlessness without necessarily implying dishonesty.
Can the term crap imply dishonesty?
While crap primarily denotes poor quality, it can be used to describe situations or outcomes that are seen as disappointingly inadequate, not specifically dishonesty.
Is one term more offensive than the other?
Bullshit may be perceived as more offensive due to its implication of deceit and moral judgment, while crap is generally considered milder.
How do cultural differences affect the perception of these terms?
Cultural contexts can influence the perceived severity and appropriateness of these terms, with some cultures finding them more offensive than others.
Is bullshit always related to spoken or written statements?
Yes, bullshit typically refers to deceptive or misleading statements or rhetoric, rather than physical objects or situations.
Can the term bullshit be used in formal contexts?
While its use has become more common, bullshit is generally considered informal and may be inappropriate in formal or professional settings.
Can these terms be used in constructive feedback?
While possible, it's important to use such terms carefully, as they can be perceived as harsh or unprofessional in feedback contexts.
Do these terms have different emotional implications?
Bullshit often conveys stronger feelings of frustration or betrayal related to deceit, while crap expresses dissatisfaction with quality or value.
Is the use of crap acceptable in professional environments?
Depending on the workplace culture, crap might be considered informal but is often seen as less offensive than bullshit and may be used in casual professional communications.
Can something be both bullshit and crap?
Yes, if something is deceitfully presented yet also of poor quality, it could be described as both bullshit and crap.
How do the terms reflect on the speaker's intent?
Using bullshit suggests the speaker believes there is intent to deceive, while using crap reflects a judgment of quality or value.
How have the uses of bullshit and crap evolved over time?
Both terms have broadened in usage and acceptance, particularly in informal contexts, though bullshit has gained attention in philosophical and analytical discussions.
Are there any legal implications to calling something bullshit or crap?
Generally, no, unless used in a defamatory context where false statements harm someone's reputation.
Do these terms have equivalents in other languages that carry the same connotations?
Many languages have their own equivalents, but the directness and cultural implications can vary widely.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza 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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
