Does the ordinary Australian find the c-word offensive?

That is a question a NSW District Court judge had to consider on Tuesday during an appeal for Danny Lim, a man many Sydneysiders would recognise from his bright sandwich boards bearing political and social messages.

Danny Lim was issued with an infringement notice for offensive behaviour. Credit:Jeremy Hillman

Mr Lim was convicted of offensive behaviour for standing on busy New South Head Road, Edgecliff, one morning in August 2015, wearing a sign that appeared to call then prime minister Tony Abbott a "c---".

The front of the sign read: "PEACE SMILE PEOPLE CAN CHANGE TONY YOU C---. LIAR, HEARTLESS, CRUEL. PEACE BE WITH YOU."