"A pain in the butt (ass)" [another expression?]

[indigoduck]

Hi all,
I've opted to adjust the choice of vulgarity in my expressions. Instead of refering to somebody as a "pain in the backhind (a$$)".

What's a better choice of words ?

 

[mancunienne girl]

A pain in the backside.
A pain in the bum.

Or, if you want to avoid the use of the rear end altogether "a pain in the neck".

 

[Majorbloodnock]

I'd agree with MG; "pain in the neck" is the obvious alternative, leaving you with the option to change to a lower opinion later .

If you want to be a little more oblique and gentle, how about "challenging to deal with"?

 

[Parla]

I've opted to adjust the choice of vulgarity in my expressions. Instead of refering to somebody as a "pain in the backhind (a$$)".

What's a better choice of words ?

Well, your original is a little off: It's not "backhind" but behind--or backside, ass, or butt (which is just short for buttocks, the correct anatomical word).

These are, of course, vulgar expressions--not shocking, these days, but not expressions you would use in formal writing or at a business meeting or in a social situation with other than friends.

As another respondent has suggested, pain in the neck is a polite substitute; it's still somewhat casual, but not considered vulgar.

 

[kalamazoo]

Or, forget the anatomy, and just say "dealing with him is a pain" or "he's kind of a pain to deal with."