I think its usage on the internet grew as an acceptable alternative to the banned word "asshole" on various message boards. https://ksot.net/banned/ https://ks

I think its usage on the internet grew as an acceptable alternative to the banned word "asshole" on various message boards. https://ksot.net/banned/ https://ksot.net/banned/ "Asshat" also gives you plausible deniability for sneaking in "ass" + the past tense of "shit". That's how I've always read it.