How do we feel about the c-word?

[JustineMumsnet]

Generally, as you know, we take a fairly relaxed view about swearing on MN but we do in our Talk Policy promise to remove postings that are obscene.

We've had a complaint about the c-word as posted here and are rather torn as to whether to leave it or not - it's not a personal attack so were it your average term of abuse, we'd usually let it stand. But some people hate the c-word and view it as much worse than traditional forms of abuse - beyond the pale as it were, others argue that it should be reclaimed...we're somewhere on the fence and it's not comfortable

Would be good to garner your thoughts, so we can jump off one way or t'other?

[nailpolish]

its the worst swear word of all

espcecially from a woman

[Enid]

I looked but couldn't find the word 'cunt' on the thread

by the way I dont have a problem with it

[Blandmum]

I quite like my cunt.

It and I have had lots of fun together. Cunts tend to be useful things, particularly in the old child birth game.

Quite sad to see it used as a term of abuse.

[ArmadilloDaMan]

I don't like the word, but have been known to use it when really stressed.

However, if you ban that will it lead to banning other words that people don't like? Downhill spiral kinda thing?

I wouldn't want it removed because I like MN because it doesn't censor swearing, just because it is swearing.

[nailpolish]

enid its the ssecond post

[coppertop]

I don't like the word but don't mind too much as long as it's not in the thread title.

[Enid]

yes prob not in thread titles

[magnolia74]

I would agree to it being removed if used abusively but otherwise it doesn't bother me.

[Womba1]

I can't bear to hear anyone say it and if i come across it on here, i tend to leave and ignorw the thread in question.

[ConnorTraceptive]

I don't think it needs to be removed

[Enid]

ah yes my old cunt [fond]

[foxinsocks]

enif, 2nd post in

doesnae bother me.

[harpsichordcarrier]

I don't think the use of the word cunt in this context could be described as "obscene" by any stretch of the imagination.
imo there is no way the post contravenes the rules/policy
tbh I don't have any problem with it whatsoever, but I would have a big problem with this kind of censorship.
this is a site for adults and proper sensible adults at that
that'#s what makes it so marvellous

[Pesha]

Dont have a problem with the word and would be sad to see MN start censoring swearing.

Agree with Armadillo about the downhill spiral.

[yorkshirepudding]

Message withdrawn

[magnolia74]

Yorkshire

[TillyScoutsmum]

Its useful (the word and the "item")... Other swear words are used so often that we sometimes become desensitised to them and therefore in some instances, Bastard or Wanker just doesn't quite convey the required amount of distaste. The 'c' word works...every time..

Personally love this site because so little is "banned" ..

[CountTo10]

Personally I hate the word but I can just ignore it. Some people hate the word fuck and if you're going to ban one you have to ban the other - it's a slippery slope.

[controlfreakygobshite]

if it was term of abuse being used to ersonally attack another poster it would contravene mn rules anyway wouldnt it?
otherwise it is no better / worse than any other word and should be left alone.
imo it is a word that needs to be reclaimed by women and used loud and proud...
a big not to censorship.

[Blu]

I hate it used in the way that it was used on that thread - as a genuine, 'this is the worst thing i can say about him' way. I hate it that a woman's cunt is the worst form of abuse.

I don't object to it as a word, or as Enid just used it below. I don't object to it when it is used tongue in cheek / affectionatley with the 'knowledge' that it is being subverted into a term of afection or joking play-insult.

I don't hate it because it is obscene, I hate it because used as an insult, it is mysoginystic

[Buda]

I hate the word. In the thread in question the same feeling could just has easily been achieved by saying "What a sod" or "What a pillock" or any other number of words really.

I am Irish and we do swear a lot but I always think it is worse somehow seeing it on screen.

Not sure if censoring it is right - you will just get people's backs up on 'freedom of speech' etc. But I think a little respect for the fact that a lot of people don't like swearing wouldn't go amiss.

[snowleopard]

I think it is a fine word and on that particular thread it was used very aptly!

We are all grown-ups on MN and one of the things I love about it is people's freedom to be a bit shocking. It's often very funny. I know some people hate the c word but I think you need to allow it as it is not offensive in any particular way or against anyone in particular (for example it's not a term of racist abuse which I do think should not be allowed). It's not sexist as equivalent male body parts are also used as slang/swear words. And it it a word that has other uses and has also been "reclaimed" by feminists. And generally speaking censorship should be avoided if at all possible because it's a slippery slope.

[Yaddayah]

Don't particularly like it but as the saying goes..

I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Free speech

yaddayah yaddayah

Adopts ninja fighting stance

[Piffle]

it made me laugh but I'm from the southern hemisphere and was brought up with an axtremely liberal attitude to swearing.
chequers made me laugh
If I post it, like I did yesterdya in a naughty rhyme I blank out the UN bit though, for those more sensitive and refined than me.

Was it not used in a thread title about Sainsburys once ?Great hilarity and fierce debate followed IIRC

[Blu]

CountToTen - 'fuck' is a differnt kind of word, doesn't apply solely to a woman's body.