shit

Shit is a vulgar English word with several related senses. As a noun, it refers to feces, the solid waste produced by the digestive tract. As a verb, it means to defecate. As an interjection or intensifier, it appears in many expressions to convey surprise, anger, or emphasis, such as "Shit!" or "That’s shit," and it can function as an insult ("You’re a shit") or as a dismissive intensifier ("That car is shit"). The word is widely considered obscene in formal settings and many languages; its acceptability varies by context, audience, and culture. In polite or medical contexts, terms such as feces, stool, or excrement are preferred.

Etymology: The term derives from Old English scitte, meaning a discharge or diarrheal stool, and is cognate with related Germanic words for feces; the verb sense appears in records from the Middle Ages. The intensifier use emerged in the 20th century in North American and British slang.

Cultural and practical notes: It is a core example of strong taboo language in many English-speaking cultures. It appears in literature, music, film, and online discourse, often censored in formal media by substituting characters (sh**). Some speakers choose milder substitutes such as crap, darn, or poop.

Biological and medical context: Feces are a mixture of water, bacteria, undigested food, and cells, excreted from the digestive tract. The term is sometimes used in medical or scientific discussions, while more neutral terms like stool or excrement are preferred in formal writing.