Americans only just realising what 'nonce' means after watching disturbing Netflix series Adolescence

US Netflix viewers are all saying the same thing after learning the true meaning behind the word ‘nonce’ from Adolescence.

The four-part crime-drama series, starring This is England’s Stephen Graham, 51, and newcomer Owen Cooper, 15, centres around the arrest of a 13-year-old boy suspected of murdering his female classmate.

What transpires is a modern-horror story, depicting the very-real threat online incel culture and misogynistic radicalisation can pose on impressionable minds.

You can watch the trailer for Netflix’s Adolescence below:

Adolescence, which has already shot to the top of the Netflix most-watched list, was inspired by real events and filmed in a continuous one-shot format by director Philip Barantini.

While the first episode was nailed in just two takes on the same day, the subsequent instalments took multiple attempts to nail - all three of which took place on the fifth and final day of filming.

The finished result has divided fans who have binged the entire series since it dropped on Netflix last week, with some going as far as to brand the miniseries as ‘disturbing’.

Former Top Gear and Grand Tour host Jeremy Clarkson has also been enjoying the programme, taking to social media to discuss how certain scenes in episode two were masterfully shot.

Adolescence is a four-part series that approaches the tough subject of online incel culture and misogynistic radicalisation (Netflix)

Confusion amongst American viewers

But American fans in particular have been discussing a moment that took place in episode four, which sees Graham’s character Eddie realise his van has been vandalised with the word ‘nonce’.

The grieving father, who is celebrating his 50th birthday at the time, eventually confronts the perpetrators who tagged his van, angrily threatening them.

The word ‘nonce’ is apparently puzzling Americans, with one taking to X to write: “I was today years old, after watching Adolescence, when I understood what Brits mean when they call someone a ‘nonce’.

Someone else echoed: “’Ta, mate.’ ‘Nonce.’ ‘Gaff.’ Adolescence is teaching me so much about how people speak in England.”

“This nonce thing got me reconsidering everything,” another viewer wrote.

The word 'nonce' was painted onto Eddie's van in the series (Netflix)

What does nonce mean?

If you’re also confused by what the tag on Eddie’s van means, then we’ll put it plainly.

In British English, a ‘nonce’ is a slang term for someone who commits a crime involving sex, especially with children.

However, in American English, the word nonce means is the one, particular, or present occasion, purpose, or use, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

So, it’s clear to see why US Netflix viewers are getting confused.

The four-part miniseries is available to stream now (Netflix)

What has Stephen Graham said about his character?

Eddie’s plumbing van being tagged with the word ‘nonce’ suggests that he may have abused Jamie, inadvertently causing his son to commit a brutal crime against his classmate.

However, Graham is against this narrative, telling The Guardian: “I didn’t want his dad to be a violent man. I didn’t want mum to be a drinker. I didn’t want our young boy to be molested by his uncle Tony. I wanted to remove all of those possibilities for us to go: 'Oh, that’s why he did it'.”

In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, he added: “One of our aims was to ask, ‘What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet, and from social media?’”

You can watch all episodes of Adolescence on Netflix now.