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.

@MaxNormal maybe!! It's the one word that I can remember someone saying in assembly in school one morning and every one of us 14 year olds being horrified. I can even remember the boys name, it stuck in my mind so much. 🤣

I can swear for Wales but it's not a word I would ever use and yes I do judge those who use it.

[quote BlueThursday]Glasgow useage

[/quote] I had to listen to that a couple of times before I even heard cunt - it's used so softly.

I have personally never found it offensive,

I really, really hate that a woman's private parts are used as a really bad insult. Why would anyone who didn't hate women use it in that way?

And thinking that it might be used in a 'friendly way' honestly ? Is this a wind up ?

@FinallyHere

I have personally never found it offensive,

I really, really hate that a woman's private parts are used as a really bad insult. Why would anyone who didn't hate women use it in that way?

And thinking that it might be used in a 'friendly way' honestly ? Is this a wind up ?

But we use male genitalia as an insult too - is that as bad, if not why not?

When it comes to offense, I think Reg Hunter (after explaining why he loves using "the n-word") had it spot on ...

and as for women, you shouldn't be offended by a word like 'cunt'. If you're gonna be offended by words, then if I were you I'd be much more offended by hearing you're gonna earn 20% less just because you is a woman

(Ben Elton voice) - bit o' politics there ...

Cunts are beautiful, incredible things. The word cunt is also a satisfying insult. Both these things are also true of ‘cock’ so why should cunt be any different?

This.

Though for the most part I tend to use the genderneutral arsehole as an insult. Arseholes just aren't pretty.

I’ll never understand why women use a word that means female genitals, as a term of abuse, or to mean a vile person.
I bet some of those on MN who use it would call themselves feminists, too.

It’s a vile word,I don’t know anybody who would dream of saying it.

Nothing to be proud of,people need to take a long look at themselves if they think it’s ever acceptable to use it.

By not using the word ever, it retains its power. In order to weaken the word, to make it roughly equivalent to 'cock', more use and more exposure would be the way to go.

I am a feminist. I like the word cunt. I don't find it vile, it's just a word. Swearing is a pretty fascinating bit of linguistics. I used to like teaching it at Alevel.

@TheSandman

Term of endearment in Scotland

True enough, but try calling someone a 'Tory' round my way and they'll fucking flatten ya.

I'd much rather be called a cunt than a Tory 🤣

In the UK here and it's a horrible sexist word.

@SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito

By not using the word ever, it retains its power. In order to weaken the word, to make it roughly equivalent to 'cock', more use and more exposure would be the way to go.

I am a feminist. I like the word cunt. I don't find it vile, it's just a word. Swearing is a pretty fascinating bit of linguistics. I used to like teaching it at Alevel.

I agree, cock is a great word - not used enough!

I use 'cock' all the time!

Where I live in America, it’s probably the absolute worst word you could possibly say. That used to be the n-word, but that is being reclaimed by certain groups and turns up in music sometimes.

I've grown to like the word

Means pal or someone you know in Glasgow.

Means pal or someone you know in Glasgow.

@Purpleartichoke

Where I live in America, it’s probably the absolute worst word you could possibly say. That used to be the n-word, but that is being reclaimed by certain groups and turns up in music sometimes.

I always find this weird - there are so many different offensive terms, the n word may appear in music but only for black people to reclaim the word. It's not just words though - it's about intent and meaning. And quite a few of the posters on here who use the term cunt - use it in a jokey affection way - not aggressive and insulting. I get that people don't like the word but it's just a vagina - which holds no super power, it's not sacred - the word has no power unless you chose to give it power and define the power it gets. But I thank this thread for reminding me to remind my kids that words like slut and slag are offensive words that are used to demean and judge women for things that men rarely get judged for, I have had that conversation before but with teens you need to keep having it. Bitch not so much - a bitch can be strong and powerful - it's not always used negatively.

@SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito

I use 'cock' all the time!

I pledge to use it more. It feel rather old fashioned...it might suit me as I age!😂

Can someone articulate why its so much worse to be likened to female genitalia than male? Why is it "the worst"?

I hear it commonly used as a term of endearment, though recognise not commonly acceptable (much like any swear word really) but frankly I utterly reject the idea that my genitals are so much more offensive than a mans

Its on a level with cock for me

and it can be used in a friendly way!

I have never heard it used in a friendly way. It isn't a word that I use, nor do my family or friends. I know that some of DD's peers do (she is 19), but no-one in my age group (I'm 61) thinks it is OK to use.

@Ginfordinner

and it can be used in a friendly way!

I have never heard it used in a friendly way. It isn't a word that I use, nor do my family or friends. I know that some of DD's peers do (she is 19), but no-one in my age group (I'm 61) thinks it is OK to use.

I think if I knew you I wouldn’t chose to speak freely in your presence, but I’d say cunt when the feeling took me with others...you might surmise that I did not approve of using the word cunt but you’d be wrong. Forgive me if you have asked all of your social group about their feelingS on the word - if you were particularly straight laced, when asked I might lie and say I don’t use it - just to shut you up!

I have never asked if my friends use the word. They just don't swear, it just isn't part of our daily language. Work colleagues swear, but I have never heard them say cunt. It is quite possibly a generational thing in my case. Other swear words are freely used at work. DD swears, but I have never heard her say cunt either.

It's a far more vulgar thing to say in the US. I've never heard an American woman use it. There's no "friendly" way to use it in the US.