All these words point to a shortness or discourtesy of manner in a person’s treatment of others. Brusque derives from an Italian word meaning rude. It is applied to a noticeably short, brisk or terse manner that may or may not be rude, depending on intent and circumstance.

• A no-nonsense woman, the governess gave her employer a brusque handshake; Being in a hurry, he made an unintentionally brusque reply.

At worst, brusque may imply incivility, ungracious sharpness or undue severity: a brusque dismissal. Bluff , by contrast, is not at all negative in tone but implies a hearty frankness ?an openness that may lack finesse but does not intend discourtesy. Bluff is used almost exclusively to describe men. The bluff man talks and laughs loudly and freely, says and does whatever he pleases with fearless good nature, and with no thought of annoying or giving pain to others: A bluff , beefy man, he didn’t mince his words, but there was a twinkle in his eye. Blunt is fairly close to bluff at one extreme, though it can imply only a well-meaning directness. Unlike bluff , however, blunt more often suggests a flat-footed forthrightness that verges on discourtesy. It may describe a manner of speech as well as a person.

• Shall I lie politely to you, or shall I be blunt ? Be as blunt as you like ?I won’t mind your rudeness if you tell me the truth.

At the other extreme, blunt may indicate a tactless frankness that is inconsiderate or needlessly cruel. The blunt man may say things which he is perfectly aware are disagreeable, either from a defiant indifference to others?feelings or from the pleasure of tormenting. Short has a connotation of quickness and directness, with a hint of anger and perhaps rudeness: I was very short with him for asking such a foolish question.

Abrupt and curt both suggest an uncooperative terseness, especially in reply to a question or appeal for help. His laconic answers to my repeated requests for directions were both unfriendly and abrupt . Abrupt may also imply a disconcerting directness: an abrupt refusal. Curt is stronger than abrupt , implying hardness or coldness of manner as well as a willful intent to be unpleasant: a curt rejoinder.

• I can understand being a little abrupt if one is really busy, but she’s always curt even when she’s just wasting her time.

Gruff and surly suggest bad-tempered or rude behaviour; but they need not imply either straightforwardness, as in bluff and blunt , or undue brevity of response, as in abrupt and curt . Of the two words, gruff is more appropriately applied to a man and is most applicable to disposition. It describes one who is brusque, rough and crusty in manner or hoarse and guttural in speech.

• He’ll grumble for minutes at a time when he’s gruff and grouchy, but don’t expect a straight answer from him then.

Surly suggests extreme discourtesy and may be applied to either sex. It implies not so much a sour frame of mind as an abiding attitude of hostility to people ?a crabbed, churlish disposition evident in both speech and manner: a surly , insubordinate servant.

• Give me the gruffest salesman in the world and I won’t complain ?just so long as I don’t have to put up with that surly woman in the lingerie department. I’ll even take the blunt remarks about my figure from the woman in the dress department or the curt answers of the credit manager when I ask to pay by cheque. Believe me, a surly salesgirl is far worse.