You're correct! "So there," especially in your example sentence, is often something children say to each other in a playfully rude or stubborn way. It can come across as rude OR be used more sarcastically or playfully, depending on the context. For example, in this context, it would sound quite rude: "I don’t care if you’re upset! I’m not apologising, so there!" Here, it emphasises a refusal to cooperate and comes across as dismissive or stubborn. However, it might not seem as rude in a joking or light-hearted context. For instance, if you were playing a trivia game with friends and you had won some points, you might say something like: "I told you my answers were right! So there!" In this case, the tone is playful rather than serious, so it’s understood as a joke. Having said that, adults don’t use this expression very often. It’s most commonly associated with childish behaviour or humour. As a native speaker and teacher, I can’t remember ever using it seriously in adult conversations. If I were to use it, it would probably be when joking around with a child or mimicking childish defiance for humour. I hope that helps! If you would like any further help understanding the nuances of idioms, please feel free to get in touch with me :)

You're right, it's generally rude. But there is a fine line between being rude and being funny. So much so, that when someone says "are you trying to be funny?" they actually mean "are you insulting me?" and they are likely to get violent from there if you don't reply "no" in a humble way.

You’re right—it is a matter of context! “So there” is often used humorously or playfully, but it can also sound defiant, depending on tone and situation. Meanings and Context: Playful or humorous: When spoken with a light tone or in a joking context, it emphasizes a small, silly victory or statement. Example: “I told you I could do it, so there!” (Here, it's like saying, “See, I was right!” with a bit of cheekiness.) Defensive or defiant: It can express stubbornness or defiance, often in an argument or when someone feels criticized. Example: “I don’t care what you think, so there!” (This comes across as more dismissive or confrontational.) Tone is Key: The phrase itself isn’t inherently rude, but how it’s delivered matters. It often has a childlike or exaggerated feel, like a playground retort, which is why it might seem unfriendly when used seriously. So, the overall impression depends on the tone and relationship between the speakers.

Right. There is nothing inherently rude about it, but it could be rude in some contexts. The same is true for most words. For example, even the polite word "please" can be rude in certain situations.