Yes, confirmation it is cultural. I didn’t think Americans used tart the same as they don’t use crumpet.
Not sure why females and bakery items are so linked in Commonwealth language.[/quote]
Cos you cover them in jam and put them in your mouth, obviously… (Try to keep up, Ironman!)
I’m up now. Thanks Buttercup.
Nope never heard it describe me. But then again,I’m not around when Sandman is thinking about me. 
[/quote]
You’re no tart, kiddo. You’re a nebby wee besom. 
[quote=“Erhu”]
Those who use the word “tart” when they actually mean “ho” must be folks who are older than grandpa.[/quote]
Yeah, I agree here. The only person I know who says “tart” or “tarted up” is my 75-year-old mother.
Nope never heard it describe me. But then again,I’m not around when Sandman is thinking about me. [/quote]
You’re no tart, kiddo. You’re a nebby wee besom. [/quote]
Huh, next time type that without the beer ya hand… 
[quote=“bababa”][quote=“Erhu”]
Those who use the word “tart” when they actually mean “ho” must be folks who are older than grandpa.[/quote]
Yeah, I agree here. The only person I know who says “tart” or “tarted up” is my 75-year-old mother.[/quote]
Well, ya know. SOME of us pay attention to words. So we know the older styles AND the newer vocab styles and usages. Don’t you feel hampered by your lack of vocabulary? I know I would. 
A tart is just a bit of crumpet with enlarged baps.
The sociolinguistic connection between wimmin and the lexis of baked products was clearly established following Saxon settlement patterns on and subsequent migrations inland from the north east coast of England.
The bakewell tart, thought to have originated in Derbyshire, has been in common usage since the great vowel shift of the 15th century, and though there is evidence of a significant inflexional isogloss, has been absorbed into the vernacular, particularly round the back of Copacabana’s, near Stockport viaduct.
[quote=“bababa”][quote=“Erhu”]
Those who use the word “tart” when they actually mean “ho” must be folks who are older than grandpa.[/quote]
Yeah, I agree here. The only person I know who says “tart” or “tarted up” is my 75-year-old mother.[/quote]
Not callin ya Mom a TART bababa but my momma used to call other women tarts if they got her mad about things.
Still, it’s a useful word to call a woman when you need to get her attentions. They seems to be sensitive to the word when used on a personal basis 
In anycase there are many tarts who like looking like tarts, behaving lke tarts, an bein called tarts.
Nothing wrong with the expression.