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Original poster

The 'c' word

264 replies

Terfing · 02/01/2019 05:16

As in, the 4-letter word that refers to female genitalia.

I have started a thread in 'Site Stuff' asking them to ban the use of this word on Mumsnet. Personally, i find the word hugely offensive. It is shocking that one of the worst insults in the English language involves comparing someone to female genitalia. Even worse, I've seen it many times on the feminism boards.

What are other people's thoughts on this?

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 02/01/2019 15:19

Why do you want it banned on MN when your issue is with it in general frequent use in the city that you live in?

BertrandRussell · 02/01/2019 15:16

I’m not offended by it. I just think it’s misogynist. And all this stuff about it being perfectly OK in ordinary conversation in Scotland or the North or Ireland is simply bollocks. (See what I did there?)

Original poster
Terfing · 02/01/2019 15:12

I am here and reading the replies carefully. I've been at work, which is why I didn't respond immediately.

I must admit, I expected a bit more support on this issue.

I'm from Newcastle, and people use it freely here, but I shudder every time I hear it. I particularly hate hearing it around children.

Everyone knows that it's one of the worst words in the English language. The only words worse than the c-word would likely get you a visit from the police.

The idea of trying to reclaim it seem naive. It's like when liberal feminists try to reclaim prostitution.

OP posts:
welshgendercrit · 02/01/2019 15:05

I don't like it and wouldn't use it in conversation, but I certainly don't think it should be banned. I don't swear much irl and the words I use would be thought very mild by many people, but that's my choice and I respect the fact that other people feel and act differently.

terryleather · 02/01/2019 14:52

Please dont try to ban things which I love, that cunt Jamie Oliver has already ruined Irn Bru and I don't have a lot left in life.

Amen Bohemian! I had Irn Bru for the first time in about 15 years recently and it's shite!

ScrimshawTheSecond · 02/01/2019 14:45

I'm very fond of the word. I appreciate it upsets some, so don't tend to use it out loud often, (and never as an insult). It has a fascinating etymology and a great history: www.etymonline.com/word/cunt

BohemianDream · 02/01/2019 14:44

It completely depends on the context.
I'm from Glasgow, if "so-and-so is a good cunt" This is very much a compliment. Though if "So-and-so is a fuckin cunt!" Not a compliment.
Cunt can be a great word and I do love my own.
Please dont try to ban things which I love, that cunt Jamie Oliver has already ruined Irn Bru and I don't have a lot left in life.
Then I suppose its for my own good, perhaps he's a good cunt after all.

charis · 02/01/2019 14:22

DP is Scottish and I quite often see "gid cunt" used on social media. Macho football forums too. That said, it's usually banned by the swear filters so the use of the perfectly acceptable 'aye, right, cunto' has arisen 😁

BertrandRussell · 02/01/2019 14:01

“Especially as in the past cunt was often softened to coney, and I’d rather have my body be compared to a rabbit than a cat.”

That’s interesting. I’ve only come across “cunny”. What’s the source for “coney”?

terryleather · 02/01/2019 13:58

Aspie I think I love you! GrinGrinGrin

MargueritaPink · 02/01/2019 13:56

I haven’t read the thread, but I am sure somebody has already said that it’s widely regarded as a term of affection in Scotland. It isn’t

Someone did; it isn't.

AspieAndProud · 02/01/2019 13:42

And yes moist and gusset give me the shudders

Moist and Gusset sound like a Seventies drag act.

The 'c' word
terryleather · 02/01/2019 13:40

‘Cis’ can fuck right off.

Agreed. I find that word hugely offensive (but I still wouldn't want it banned)

AspieAndProud · 02/01/2019 13:37

I thought the ‘c’ word was ‘cis’. ‘Cis’ can fuck right off.

NottonightJosepheen · 02/01/2019 13:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nicknamesalltaken · 02/01/2019 13:28

I find using ‘pussy’ as an insult more demeaning because the connotation is ‘weakness’ when used to men. When women are referred to as ‘pussy’ it reduces them to their sex organs. I don’t feel that ‘cunt’ does this. It has a strength behind it, a viciousness. But ultimately has the same meaning.

I’d never refer to my cunt as ‘pussy’ - too porny. I think that matters too - pussy is a porn term.

‘Bitch’ however, I cannot stand. That’s a word I would ban on here. Along with ‘mummy’ or ‘mummies’ when referring to adults by other adults.

Ringdonna · 02/01/2019 13:09

I must admit I am not comfortable with it, especially as it is mostly used in an aggressive and insulting way.

Almondcandle · 02/01/2019 12:51

I prefer cunt to pussy.

Especially as in the past cunt was often softened to coney, and I’d rather have my body be compared to a rabbit than a cat.

BertrandRussell · 02/01/2019 12:49

“Do you want it's use banned on MN though BertrandRussell?”

I don’t believe in banning words. But I wish women, particularly women who are feminists, would rethink their use of it.

BertrandRussell · 02/01/2019 12:47

Oh, and someone will have spectacularly missed the point by saying “it’s just the same a dick or prick- won’t somebody think of the poor men?”

AssassinatedBeauty · 02/01/2019 12:46

Do you want it's use banned on MN though BertrandRussell?

BertrandRussell · 02/01/2019 12:44

I hate its use as a swear word. It’s deeply misogynistic.

I haven’t read the thread, but I am sure somebody has already said that it’s widely regarded as a term of affection in Scotland. It isn’t.

NottonightJosepheen · 02/01/2019 12:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WaterlooElephant · 02/01/2019 12:27

I married into a London family and cunt is common parlance used as an insult to anyone, man or woman. It's used as the ultimate insult. I came from a family that discourages any swearing so this word was a surprise at first. I didn't just hear it within the family, I hear it a lot at work too (I run Tube stations). I don't like it, and I have told my husband and it family as such. It's misogynistic. They try not to use it. But I cannot change a language culture of millions of Londoners.

SpartacusAutisticusAHF · 02/01/2019 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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