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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think it’s a bit depressing that women still use these terms against other women?

163 replies

HazelMember · 08/02/2026 18:08

I’ve noticed that the harshest, most misogynistic insults on mumsnet I hear are actually coming from women directed at other women. Words like cunt, bitch, cow, etc.

When men are criticised, the language often seems much milder or at least less specifically gendered.

Is it internalised misogyny? Habit? Just how people speak now?

OP posts:

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 08/02/2026 18:25

SleeplessInWherever · 08/02/2026 18:23

I called my partner’s ex wife a cunt the other day. Won’t catch me apologising for it, she is one.

I call spades spades, even if that does mean using a “bad word.”

What offensive terms are we allowed? Do I have to settle for calling them an inconvenience?

I think you’ve misunderstood what the op is saying. She’s said the harshest comments are women on women, not please don’t use offensive words.

SleeplessInWherever · 08/02/2026 18:23

I called my partner’s ex wife a cunt the other day. Won’t catch me apologising for it, she is one.

I call spades spades, even if that does mean using a “bad word.”

What offensive terms are we allowed? Do I have to settle for calling them an inconvenience?

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 08/02/2026 18:21

I think posters are being disingenuous in saying this isn’t a thing. Or they are really new. It’s constant let’s not pretend otherwise,

Chestnutmarenutjob · 08/02/2026 18:21

Don’t worry op, I call men cunts too.

Differentforgirls · 08/02/2026 18:21

FreshInks · 08/02/2026 18:11

Where are you seeing this? It’s not something I have come across on here.

I see it every day. “Bitch” is commonly used.

FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 08/02/2026 18:20

No, I happily call men cunts too if they are.

Differentforgirls · 08/02/2026 18:20

HazelMember · 08/02/2026 18:08

I’ve noticed that the harshest, most misogynistic insults on mumsnet I hear are actually coming from women directed at other women. Words like cunt, bitch, cow, etc.

When men are criticised, the language often seems much milder or at least less specifically gendered.

Is it internalised misogyny? Habit? Just how people speak now?

I agree. Can’t believe the names women call other women on here.

FreshInks · 08/02/2026 18:18

So one thread? Out of many thousands of active threads on here.

How do you know they are women?

NoSoupForU · 08/02/2026 18:18

If it helps, that poster's SIL behaved like a bitchy cunting cow, which is probably why people have used those words to describe her.

I don't find that there's any disparity between men and women when it comes to slurs.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 08/02/2026 18:17

Breadcat24 · 08/02/2026 18:14

Cannot go wrong with slapper
Equally we should revive Cad, Dog and Himbo

I fear that if I ever got into a fight irl, I’d call the woman a slapper, whilst slapping her!

(how awful that there’s no kat slater gif on here!)

HazelMember · 08/02/2026 18:15

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