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Is the word ‘cunt’ misogynistic in the U.K.?

112 replies

QueenArseClangers · 15/07/2020 19:23

Just that really. I’ve noticed it being a sentiment more common in the US than over here.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 15/07/2020 20:58

I'd rather be called cunt affectionately than have 'love' spat at me by some sexist wanker.

And the status as 'worst word ever' does rather imply there's something wrong with cunts. It's a much nicer word than vagina (scabbard/sheath, which reduces vaginae to a holder for penises). Why did the less misogynistic word become the 'worst'? Misogyny.

ScrimpshawTheSecond · 15/07/2020 20:53

I'm with Dido. I know the word has long interesting colourful and illustrious history. And some people use it quite casually. But I still find it very harsh and a bit of a shock. And I swear liberally. And I'm Scottish.

terryleather · 15/07/2020 20:52

@chipperfish

Unless you are from Glasgow in which case it can be used simultaneously for - your worst enemy, your best friend, as a collective noun, and possibly punctuation
GrinGrinGrin I'm afraid I conform to type and use it much more than I should...it's an equal opportunity swear but I reckon I probably use it more about men if it's being used in anger
AltogetherAndrews · 15/07/2020 20:43

Ok, so not every Scottish person ever uses it, but it certainly is a common use of the word in many circles here. So not “claptrap” but I’m assuming from your use of that word when most people would say “bollocks” you are not a fan of swearing in general.

Amortentia · 15/07/2020 20:34

@DidoLamenting

In Scotland it pretty much means mateIn Scotland it pretty much means mate

It certainly does not.

Yeah, not in Scotland, it’s the word used to describe the people you really like, and the word used to describe the people you really don’t?

No it isn't.

Unless you are from Glasgow
in which case it can be used simultaneously for - your worst enemy, your best friend, as a collective noun, and possibly punctuation

Claptrap.

You are speaking for yourselves. I'm so bored with this nonsense that everyone in Scotland goes around swearing all the time.

But it is very common for many Glaswegians to swear a lot. You might be bored of it but I don't think there is any other city in the world where the people can use swear words in such a vivid and descriptive way. 😂

I've heard men being threatened with "ill kick your cunt in" even though the don't possess one. But, maybe I just mix with the riffraff. 🤣

Kathulu · 15/07/2020 20:33

I was horrified when I moved to Northern Ireland and heard it used conversationally for the first time. It's used constantly here, by men, women, old and young. I'm hugely de-sensitised to it now and it's used as a term of endearment or a vehement curse. In my experience here it's not misogynistic just overused.

MingeofDeath · 15/07/2020 20:32

I'd rather be called a cunt than a twat. I use cunt for males and females.

grafittiartist · 15/07/2020 20:29

Hate the word. I find it quite extreme.

Bmidreams · 15/07/2020 20:27

I love a good cunt. It's very powerful.

glasshalfsomething · 15/07/2020 20:24

@chipperfish’s comments certainly ring true for me.

youngestisapsycho · 15/07/2020 20:24

My Nan used it all the time, term of endearment really. She called me it about 20 times a day!

Lucked · 15/07/2020 20:21

In Glasgow it is more likely to be applied to men but is unisex. It is not necessary an insult for some it is interchangeable with ‘person/guy’

‘He’s a funny cunt after a few beers’ as an example.

MiniMum97 · 15/07/2020 20:20

I like the word and use it where appropriate.

No idea why some swear words (or e we less for that matter) are considered offensive when other words aren't.

There is no sense to it. For example why is "twat" considered a mild swear word when cunt is the most offensive word ever when they mean the same thing. It's just bizarre.

Equally I can say "I have a bloody hand" in any setting, yet if I say "that's bloody awful" that is swearing and no ok in some settings.

All seems rather arbitrary to me.

thesunisup · 15/07/2020 20:19

I've only heard men and women use it to describe men

DidoLamenting · 15/07/2020 20:17

In Scotland it pretty much means mateIn Scotland it pretty much means mate

It certainly does not.

Yeah, not in Scotland, it’s the word used to describe the people you really like, and the word used to describe the people you really don’t?

No it isn't.

Unless you are from Glasgow
in which case it can be used simultaneously for - your worst enemy, your best friend, as a collective noun, and possibly punctuation

Claptrap.

You are speaking for yourselves. I'm so bored with this nonsense that everyone in Scotland goes around swearing all the time.

stumbledin · 15/07/2020 20:09

Its not who it is used against, but the fact that a part of a biological female's anatomy is considered to be the worst thing someone should be.

Calling men a bit of a dick is just jokey.

Too many people still rely on saying something or someone is a because they think it is the ulitimate insult.

Should never ever be used.

It's an indiction of the "men in our heads" ie that we grew up in and are still living in a world dominated by male values.

IsItDownToTheLakeIFear · 15/07/2020 19:59

I use cunt all the time, I don’t think of it as misogynistic.

Here’s Germaine Greer on the subject:

NonnyMouse1337 · 15/07/2020 19:58

@AltogetherAndrews

Yeah, not in Scotland, it’s the word used to describe the people you really like, and the word used to describe the people you really don’t.
It's why I love it so much. Grin
BlueBrush · 15/07/2020 19:55

Excellent blog by linguist Debbie Cameron on the word "cunt"

LittleDonk · 15/07/2020 19:52

In Scotland it pretty much means mate.

AnnaNimmity · 15/07/2020 19:51

I find bitch more offensive and misogynistic- it can only be used about women. I have used cunt to describe men.

Think it's considered different in the US - a much more offensive word.

InfiniteSheldon · 15/07/2020 19:49

All my best friends are cunts

aliasundercover · 15/07/2020 19:46

Chipperfish
Not just Glasgow. It’s a bit of an odd British thing that many people call a stranger ‘mate’, but call their mate a ‘cunt’.

tilder · 15/07/2020 19:44

Completely agree wellbehavedwomen.

Loads of words for penis. Mildly offensive at most. Relatively few words for vulva of vagina. Generally offensive to use. Other than the twee stuff.

Gets used against both sexes, but as for why are slang terms for women's bits more offensive than slang terms for men's bits? Misogyny.

GisAFag · 15/07/2020 19:43

My fav word

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