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Original poster

Use of the word cunt as an insult towards a male

82 replies

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 19:48

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:

NiceTabard · 24/04/2013 22:25

There's always something though.
Cocksucker being used as an insult is super-patriarchal. Rolling homophobia and misogyny up in one - it seems to be an insult used in the US more and at men - so the homophobia wins out there I guess.

The US is maybe more specific at who they aim swearwords at? While in UK it seems to be more of a merry free-for all.

Meglet · 24/04/2013 21:41

I call my dishwasher / car / washing machine a cunt when they're playing up. I'm reclaiming it a bit but it's still a very satisfying swear.

Mind you cocksucker is another favourite swearword, but actual cock-sucking isn't a bad thing.

NiceTabard · 24/04/2013 21:38

I have been in workplaces where inanimate objects have been referred to as "that cunting xyz" so would not agree it is only aimed at men.

Oh in fact here on MN there was the famous "Cunting tescos" thread.
OP it's cunts all over this site TBH, not just FWR by a long chalk.

NiceTabard · 24/04/2013 21:36

I have always been fond of "shower of bastards" especially in work-related contexts.

Unfortunately using the word bastard in problematical from a feminist perspective.

I should probably stick to blasphemy and "effing and blinding". But that feels so limiting.

Original poster

kukeslala · 24/04/2013 21:34

JCMHerodina

What its not the most insulting? Interesting what is?

OP posts:

NiceTabard · 24/04/2013 21:33

Agree that cunt is probably considered the most shocking swearword. It's getting more commonly used though from what I see hear.

Don't forget twat which is of a theme.

I like a good swear personally, and liberally scatter my conversation with obscenity and blasphemy

JustCallMeHerodina · 24/04/2013 21:22

Not in my part of the UK. Nor any part I've lived in.

Odd.

'Bellend' is exclusively used by teenage boys I know.

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'.

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.

Original poster

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:

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 ...

Jenny0101 · 24/04/2013 20:45

no cunts are lovely though and owned by women.

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

JustCallMeHerodina · 24/04/2013 20:42

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

Original poster

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:

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.

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

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.

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:28

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

Original poster

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:

Freddiemisagreatshag · 24/04/2013 20:26

CallinG

Damn phone

Freddiemisagreatshag · 24/04/2013 20:25

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

HullMum · 24/04/2013 20:25

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

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

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 20:22

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

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