darned

Darned is the past participle and adjective form of the verb darn, meaning to mend holes or runs in knitted fabric by interlacing yarn with a needle. To darn a sock is to repair a damaged area by weaving thread over and around the hole, often with a darning egg to hold the fabric taut. As a past participle, it can describe items that have been repaired, as in “a darned sock.”

Beyond the sewing sense, darned is commonly used as a mild intensifier or euphemism for “damned.” In informal speech, people say phrases like “a darned nuisance” or “this darned device won’t work” to avoid stronger language. The usage is widespread in both American and British English and is generally considered family-friendly, though tone and context influence acceptability.

Origin and usage notes: The exact linguistic origins of darn are uncertain, but the term is long established in English for the sewing technique. The literal sense of repairing fabric coexists with the figurative use as an emphasis or mild expletive, reflecting a broader pattern in which ordinary tools or actions acquire expressive modifiers over time. Darned as an adjective before nouns can intensify the sentiment, while standalone uses of “darned” function as interjections or modifiers within common conversational speech.