UK members: Ponce. Is this term widely used, and do you find it offensive?

I feel like I've heard this word used at least once in my life... not at all often though.
Not where I'm from anyway...
And, would I be offended ?
...
*shrug*

 

It's an unpleasant word, but I've never heard anyone say it. To me it seems like the type of word that was popular in the 80s and 90s but became less popular as society became more accepting (male culture was pretty homophobic in the 80s and 90s - and the early part of the 2000s as well).

 

I have never heard it being used round here.

 

that's a new one to me.

 

The only time I've heard the word 'ponce' used is when someone is insulting someone of the upper-class. Nonce, however..

 

I'm a brit, and associate the word with posh and snobby rich folks (usually guys). I've never heard it used as a slur against gay or generically effeminate guys, only the snobby rich, or things associated with extravagant poshness ("poncy").

 

...I've never heard this word in my life. I guess you learn something new everyday. It's interesting how people have mentioned the word "poncey" (yet again, not a word I've come across) I looked that up and it came up with

Whereas "Ponce" came up with a definition closer to yours. (the OP's). Funny how one letter can make such a different to a word huh? :eusa_thin

As people have mentioned before, "fag" tends to mean cigarette here, that's usually the first thing that'll come to mind when someone says it.

---------- Post added 13th Apr 2016 at 06:27 PM ----------

That's quite interesting actually, I wasn't aware of any backlash caused from it at the time. I was however listening to the radio at Christmas (may have been last year, it was fairly recent anyway) and I was in lesson because it was in the last few weeks of term, and they had the radio on and people were placing bets on whether or not they would beep it out or not. They didn't. I feel bad for the girl who bet that they would.

 

Never heard of it and I have lived here for 2 year. Might use it to confuse some one tomorrow.