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:

BohemianDream · 15/07/2020 19:40

Absolutely not.
If I had to choose, I'd rather be called a cunt than a bitch or a cow.
I love the sound of the word actually.
Though I am Scottish, in my area there's more chance of you being called a 'good cunt' than a cunt cunt. Though I realise not all Scottish people agree, as I've noticed before on MN.
You have to own the word.

AltogetherAndrews · 15/07/2020 19:40

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.

chipperfish · 15/07/2020 19:38

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

Mide7 · 15/07/2020 19:36

I think it’s very generational personally.

So perhaps in the past it was misogynistic but to younger generations it’s just another swear word.

cremuel · 15/07/2020 19:31

I don’t think it’s misogynistic in that it would be used more towards women than towards men - I think it is used equally for either. Whether it’s misogynistic to use words for female genitalia to be offensive I’m a bit more on the fence about. It’s certainly common to use words for male anatomy as a slur, but for some reason cunt is considered more offensive.

wellbehavedwomen · 15/07/2020 19:29

I think so. It's telling that the single worst and most abusive obscenity refers to women's genitals. I'd always prefer another, personally. Having said that, I do know plenty of people who aren't especially sexist who use it. So much language is sexist, when you pause - hysterical being the most obvious example.

transdimensional · 15/07/2020 19:28

In the US it is misogynistic because it is applied almost exclusively to women, like a stronger form of "bitch".

In the UK and Australia it is applied to both sexes and isn't generally considered misogynistic... although of course, it can be argued that it is so, in that it literally means vagina and is treated as the most offensive/strong swearword (much stronger than prick, dick, cock). Nevertheless that is a different argument from the American one.

Z0rr0 · 15/07/2020 19:27

Ooh, I don't think it is aimed at women. I hear it more aimed at men. I would never use it at a woman.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 15/07/2020 19:27

People seem to hate the word here. I don't think it's much different than dick.

Z0rr0 · 15/07/2020 19:27

It's officially the worst of all swears.
Usage is increasing I think.
Probably is a bit misogynistic, and I used to absolutely hate it, but I rather like an occasional well timed / placed c**t these days.

Dozer · 15/07/2020 19:26

Yes

Lougle · 15/07/2020 19:25

Yes, I'd say so. It's an insult particular to women.

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