“Asshole” is considered offensive. And it is word with a long history of being used in an insulting way.
“Asshat” is a made-up word that essentially means the same thing, but in common parlance, it’s a little softer. And it really doesn’t mean anything at all.
I see ‘asshat’ as a really wimpy word. If you’re rude enough to consider someone an asshole, at least have the kishkes to use the right word.
The first time I heard that phrase was on Wis.dm. A user named AGN (Anal Grammar Nazi) used it.
I read it as easier on the brain than “Asshole.”
Kind of like the difference between “Shit” and “Shoot.” “Dang” and “Damn.” Then there is “Cheese n Rice!” which is a smooth way of using Jesus’ name as an expletive.