C*nt - American vs UK?

[Justjoinedforthis]

So I just recently found out that cunt as an insult has very different connotations in the US and the UK. In the US apparently it is more used as a horrible insult against women, or men deemed effeminate. Maybe an American can confirm this is correct?

I have personally never found it offensive, but thinking about it in the American context I think it would be a pretty horrible word. Now am trying to think back to any times I have used it jokingly in front of Americans...they must think I am awful.

Gotta love the Scots

a recent example of a friendly use was when my friend (in her 30s) told me she went to a Harry Potter event, and I laughed and called her a cunt.

See I don’t think most friends would find that at all funny, it’s maybe just an in-joke in your particular circle.

I don’t think I’ve ever used the word in RL you know, even though I swear like a bastard generally.

@Toilenstripes

I think it’s the worst of all swear words in America. A real pearl clutcher. Here, it’s bad but seems equal to bitch or asshole.

It absolutely is not equal to bitch or asshole, I am pretty sure if it was used in a TV show it would be considered much worse. I hadn't even heard the word until I was in my very late teens, it was absolutely the worst word you could use (am in my 40s). I have never heard it used in a friendly way and would find it really aggressive or incredibly vulgar if someone used it to me.

I definitely use it far more during banter with pals than I do as an actual insult.

It’s just got an extra level of risqué about it that makes it more fun to use in that way.

So my geordie mate might say “had your hair cut have you? Looks proper shite eh!”

And I’ll say “Fuck off you cheeky cunt” 😂

And she’ll say “Yeah that new colour looks perfect on you, love it”

And that’s Northern English banter 👌

It is not a word I use, it is horrible. I have never known it be used as banter, only as a dreadful insult.

I use cunt. My FH and close friends use cunt. Only in banter. I have never called someone a cunt in a serious way.

Not a word I'd like thrown in my direction by anyone from any country. I would feel the person levelling that st me had no respect for me.

I use cunt too - always in a friendly manner - years living in Glasgow and given me a fondness for it.

It's the worst swear word, it's not something I would use. The N word is the closest in negativity.

I think only 'lads' use it jokingly, but not generally in front of their mothers.

Not in Scotland, but absolutely used in a friendly way in our household, e.g.:

“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Fuck you, you cunt.”

I've heard it in a good natured way and it doesn't bother me. I don't really say it, maybe because my mum hates the word with a passion - she hates all swearing but especially that word. The one that bothers me most is 'bitch' because I've heard it used so venomously towards women, and because it's calling us dogs. I find it hard to hear even when I know the intention was not bad. I hate it more than cunt.

@notheragain4

I've never understood the deep rooted hatred of cunt, to me, slut or slapper, are far more offensive and are used much more liberally.

Completely agree - I won't have those terms spoken in my house, or disablist, racist or homophobic terms. You can say fuck, cunt, bastard if you like though. I'll even say them myself - but not in anger.

‘Cunty bollocks’ is my favourite use

In Scotland being described as a ‘guid cunt’ is high praise indeed

@GoldenBlue

It's the worst swear word, it's not something I would use. The N word is the closest in negativity.

I think only 'lads' use it jokingly, but not generally in front of their mothers.

My brother uses it in front of my mother - she pays no attention. It's just a word for a female's genitalia - nothing offensive in that.

and #3 was motherfucker.

Don't like this one either. It's never going to be fatherfucker and that annoys me. Keep mum's out of it.

I think it's the most offensive word. I can't stand it.

I use the word cunt several times a day. Definitely my most go-to swear word but usually at home, around friends or muttered under my breath.

There is a girl at work who says it regularly and loudly in the office though and I'm not sure how she gets away with it.

@loutypips

I think it's the most offensive word. I can't stand it.

Why have you opened a thread that was also guaranteed to be full of the liberal use of cunt when you find it so offensive?

I never use the C word, and do consider it to be quite offensive. I also don't say slut or slag either.

Twat is an interesting one though. Some people find it very offensive but in some areas it is considered to be a variation of twit. I remember a few years ago some students called a teacher a twat. He was from Manchester and was very upset and wanted them punished, they thought he was massively over reacting. We had to explain to them how offensive the word can be in some parts of the country. My mum, who won't even say common phrases like grub or knocked up used to say twat all the time, until I pointed out how offensive some people found it. She was horrified.

I use it. My Dad lives in another country where it’s used regularly and is much less offensive, so he says it quite a lot. I’ve only ever heard dm say it when seething with rage at an ex. Dp’s family never ever swear (I accidentally said it in front of them once - didn’t go down well) We must be common as muck

[motherfucker] Don't like this one either. It's never going to be fatherfucker and that annoys me. Keep mum's out of it.

But interestingly enough "fucker" is an insult all on it's own.

There's a whole science behind swearing ... linguistics, history, sociology, semantics and theology. All wrapped up in a fascinating desire that some people have in (re)creating magic words for our times, plus the prism of context.

It was always in use, when I was growing up in Ireland in the 80s and 90s, although not as common as other swear words.

I didn't hear it much when I moved to England for years, but it seems to be quite common among younger people (under 30) in the North East now. People seem to use it as an alternative to cow or twat.

I am not nervous about swearing - for some reason I rarely use this one. But here in Glasgow it can be a term of endearment! Someone can be a “guid cunt” or a “funny cunt”

I was on jury duty in Glasgow when the accused called the policeman who arrested him ‘a sound cunt’ as a term of admiration. I don’t personally use it, but I don’t find it offensive.

Calling someone a cunt is horrible. It's a horrible word. It sounds like something a male cockney would call Dave down the pub lol. A women should never say it lol. I also hate it being a reference to a women's bits