Is the word ¨Heck¨ a four-letter word, when you say ¨What the heck...¨?

Question

I mean, can I say that in a school play? As in ¨what the heck is this?¨ Or is it less offensive to say ¨What the hell is this¨? Which one is less agressive, rude?

(I´m not a native English speaker, please help)

Answer 1

i think i would use heck cuz hell just doesnt sound right. it sounds more like, well hell. but heck sounds like omg or something like that... the same reason some prefer oh my gosh, or dang rather than oh my god, or d***. if its in front of kids u might want to use heck just cause hell will bring up questions... if i had kids i would want them to say heck instead of hell thats for sure:)

Answer 2

It depends on where you are in the U.S. "Heck" is a euphemism for "Hell". Some might take offense to it. If the script calls for the word to be used, and the drama teacher is giving you permission to say the word, then, by all means use it. There aren't many words you could substitute for "Hell" and still have the same emphasis. "Heck" is a better word.



You could always say "WHAT! ....is this!" or you could just leave "Heck" out of it.

Answer 3

Count the letters. H-1 e-2 c-3 k-4. Adds up to a four letter word to me. Is it swearing? What the heck, Ask the boss. If it gets by the Yahoo Answers Cops then it probably isn't that offensive.

Answer 4

Heck is a lot more child-friendly. Hell may offend people.

Answer 5

say heck, it's less offensive

Answer 6

heck is better...i dont think that would really offend anyone

Answer 7

hell=biblical term.

restricting use of that word = biblical infringement=discrimination