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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

Use of the word cunt as an insult towards a male

82 replies

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 19:48

Hi

Have posted this on another thread, but very interested to read some more replies, so have decided to give myself my own thread.

I have been reading this board for a few days, and have noticed the word cunt being used to insult males.

I just dont get it?

Why use a word that describes a females vagina to insult a male.

Its not that it is classed as a swear word, its that its used to describe a female body part and then its being used in a derogatory way to insult someone- IYSWIM?

Is it being used to reclaim the word? Or just used without thinking?

Thanks

OP posts:

Report

bruxeur · 24/04/2013 19:51

You've come to the right place. As the only site on the internet, or indeed place on earth that this happens, we have the answer.

It's because

JustCallMeHerodina · 24/04/2013 20:10

Not noticed it that much recently, but fair enough if you say so. Just out of interest, do you mean the FWR board or MN in general?

If you do some links it'd help.

I'd say I use cunt, quite happily, but not as an insult, more in the time-honoured MN sense ('bunch of atrocious cunts'). I'm not sure about using it about men, seems a bit odd. But then to be honest I haven't seen it much.

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 20:17

bruxeur
Thanks for your help, have you not heard if you have nothing nice to say dont say anything at all. I think its sad you felt the need to reply to say that.
However its a free world, and we are entitled to reply how we want, so that is just my opinion.

I thought my post was clear, I have been reading this board.... and have seen.... Therefore Im asking the question at the place I have seen it....to people that may have used it....
I did think to ask the question on a garden forum, how stupid of me that I thought I may get a better response here.
I have always been taught to question and challenge the people directly about their though processes and thinking- what a ridiculous thought.

I thought answers may expand my knowledge, and may be thought provoking...

OP posts:

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:19

bruxuer, the op has a valid question for the fwr section? I can't see where she claimed it was the only place in the whole wide world that did it.

op I see your point for me it's taking the sting out if the word by having women use it. otherwise it is only used by cunts abusive men.

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 20:20

Um I will try to do some links, bear with me.

I meant in specifically on this forum, being used as a term to insult males, considering the values, point etc of feminism I found it a strange term, that's why I was looking for some points of view from others.

OP posts:

juneybean · 24/04/2013 20:20

I use dick for females also, its fairly interchangeable for me.

JustCallMeHerodina · 24/04/2013 20:21

Erm ... that is a little harsh! bruxeur finished her post without a full stop or anything, which looks as if she accidentally pressed return too soon. Maybe she'll come back and explain what she was getting at?

Probably not if you jump down the through though.

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:22

also I am equally likely to call someone a knob, dick, cunts, twat.... I'm all about equal opertunity when it comes to verbally abusing someone

Branleuse · 24/04/2013 20:23

who uses it to describe genitalia though really?

I think it was originally a word for the sheath of a sword, and the fuck was the groove down the side.

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:24

bruxuer left it with out a fullstoo because she was being sarcastic. obviously the op was going toned upset

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:25

actually I think vagina was sheath not cunt which is why many feminist prefer it

Freddiemisagreatshag · 24/04/2013 20:25

How's it any different to me calllin a female a dick or a prick?

Freddiemisagreatshag · 24/04/2013 20:26

CallinG

CallinG

CallinG

Damn phone

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 20:26

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/1737665-Child-care

this is the one today, after seeing it a few times made me ask the q.

OP posts:

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:28

don't worry Freddy, no one thinks you're trying to be down with the kids

Jenny0101 · 24/04/2013 20:29

I like scrote. Short for scrotu m of course. have heard that one a fair bit in dublin. "he's a bit of a scrote". it's not a compliment. if you hear somebody described as a bit of a scrote you don't expect him to have a good moral compass. I really hate the C word. I hate that that is like the worst insult people can muster up.

SPsYoniTheOneAndOnly · 24/04/2013 20:32

I call men and women cunts, also dick, dickhead, scrote, bell end etc.

Its the same. I'm all for been equal you see

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:34

yes but is the fact that you won't use it what gives it the power to be the worst word. Like not saying Voldemort or something. I use it quite casually now, you bunch of cunts etc.

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 20:41

If bruxeur did leave the sentence due to any other reason than unhelpful sarcasm, I would apologise, the wording of the sentence above just led me to believe otherwise.

Thanks for all the replies, Im going to try and work through then and any questions.

HullMum- thanks for all your posts and lol re equal op insults!

OP posts:

JustCallMeHerodina · 24/04/2013 20:42

bran - nope, that's 'vagina'. Which does mean 'sheathe'. 'Cunt' has a much nicer etymology.

Jenny0101 · 24/04/2013 20:45

no cunts are lovely though and owned by women.

Scrotes. you bunch of atrocious scrotes. try it out.

Bloodybridget · 24/04/2013 20:48

I hate the use of cunt as an insult - as tho' a cunt were a horrible thing. However, I confess to using prick, dick, knob etc which is not good either ...

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 21:11

I think my thought process was...

Cunt (where I am anyway), is in general society the worst swear word, more shocking and has more of an impact that any other swear word I can think of.

Why this is, I suppose is another question, and one for me to ponder...
Why I wouldn't be as offended by the word dick, other than its generally more used and is seen as a lesser insult, again I will think about.

However, if its used as the worst insult, and also has connections to the word vagina (now, even if it did have more historic meanings), I just didn't really understand, why it was being used to people.

Like a females vagina is the worst thing you could be. IYSWIM?

OP posts:

JustCallMeHerodina · 24/04/2013 21:13

Yes, I totally see what you mean and I think it's indefensible on that link, personally.

I don't like it as an insult.

I like it even less that we're all living in a society where you hear it as an insult all the time, and (IME, which is just personal), easily as much to women as men. It's horrible.

edwinamerckx · 24/04/2013 21:21

It's a funny word. In the US, it is used as particularly hideous insult aimed almost exclusively at women. In the UK, it's aimed almost exclusively at men - although men often use it as a term of endearment and mild mockery ('you daft cunt')

Me, I prefer 'bellend'.

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