Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. aggressive, argumentative.

2005		Guardian 26 Nov. 14: Some arsey policeman thought I was pissed.
2009		J. Joso Soothing Music for Stray Cats 50: Arsy waiters in general, Welsh traffic cops in particular, and traffic wardens everywhere, three sets of miserable fuckers. [Ibid.] 93: He looked about forty, tall, snooty [...] He asked what I meant by that? Sure, like he was in a position to get arsy!
2009		P. Temple Truth 65: Bloody Colby’s arsier every time I see him.
2019		M. Herron Joe Country [ebook] ‘Hey, she’s your friend. She’s always been arsey with me’.
2023		Press Gaz. (London) 9 June 🌐 In 2006, an Independent headline described Robinson as ‘northern’, ‘arsey’ and ‘confrontational’. Robinson didn’t seem to mind. ‘I mean: Am I arsey? Of course, I’m arsey’.

2. stupid.

2000

N. Griffiths Grits 124: Er great granda knew sumwan oo’d wance seen a pitcher uv Cork cuntryside ina buke ur summun arsey an tenuous like tha.

3. upper-class, snobbish.

2002

J. Cameron Hell on Hoe Street 204: Kind of an arsy city type, not your Essex boy.