AIBU in being surprised c**t is used as an insult on MN

[Caitlin17]

Firstly apologies if anyone thinks I'm being twee using asterisks but it's not a word I would use in either of its meanings, but I am surprised that it is used(exclusively?) as an insult here.

This site is largely populated by women many of a feminist and /or liberal persuasion. I'd have expected there to be some(a few?)who would seek to reclaim the word in its biological sense.

Is it beyond redemption in that sense?

The only time I've come across cunt in a biological way is in graphic depictions of sex in porn or writing. Pretty much the same contexts where fuck would be used to describe sex.

I certainly didn't think you write tv sitcoms Caitlin but there is actually no difference between dick and cunt. Or if there is, please explain. I don't think I'll ever see it mind.

It's all genital references, male or female.

You're lost?

(I don't use either by the way)

It's really quite easy.

I'm offended that a word that pertains to the female genitals is considered the most offensive word. That to me is absolute sexism.

I say asshole sometimes

MrsCakes it's a long time ago since I (attempted to) read (and failed as it's so boring) it but I think it might be in Lady Chatterley's Lover.

But Caitlin you started the thread claiing that you found the word cunt so offensive you couldn't type it. (Happily you seem to have shed that particular inhibition) Have you really never fully thought why that is and maybe it is a bit daft and odd that you find this one long established word for female genitalia has such a powerful effect on you?

I assume you have used other non-medical terms for the vulva (so it isn't the mere fact that it refers to female genitalia or can be used as an insult or would at least be prepared to type them.

Hmph I've never read that book. It's been on my read list for 20 years so I can understand what the fuss was is about.

Germaine Greer investigated the etymology of the word 'cunt'.

Some people might find it enlightening.

Do you never ever swear Caitlin on any level?

I have a funny story about the 'C' word if anyone wants to hear it?

I just think it's a fantastic word.

Er, a bit of historic trivia here, 'cunt' is an old English word and was used descriptively, like the word ' quim' for vagina. It didn't use to have a perjorative meaning.

For example there used to be a street in London called
'Gropecunt Lane'. (Think we can all guess what went on there...)

Not sure when the meaning changed, but wow, pretty powerful that a woman's cunt has the power to be so shocking!

It is save in my vocabulary for special occasions FOS

Hmmm I fancy a name change to 'amurderofcunts'

I think the only C word I would take offence at being called would be Conservative party member.

monty there clearly is a difference otherwise both words would be equally used in popular culture, and they are not.

Sqoosh I actually agree with your point about sexism but you and Monty are just stating all of these words are no worse than each other. If that were true we'd see them used to the same extent.

'I think the only C word I would take offence at being called would be Conservative party member.'

That would be truly offensive.

And here's a link

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gropecunt_Lane

scarlet Yep and a lot of places known as 'gropecunte lane or street' changed their name to Grape street/lane

As it seems that the degree of worseness (new word alert) is purely a matter of opinion, this argument is unending and I am going to go to bed.
Night all.

Monty I rarely swear. I might occasionally say bloody and if especially exasperated fuck.

I'd never use words for genitals of either sex to insult any one of either sex. I actually find it quite weird that genitals are somehow insults?

'I actually agree with your point about sexism but you and Monty are just stating all of these words are no worse than each other. If that were true we'd see them used to the same extent.'

The reason 'cunt' is seen as the big bad girl of the swear world is because of sexism. I personally don't see any difference in referring to a penis in a slang term and referring to a vagina in a slang term. But yes lots of people have a visceral reaction to 'cunt'. Why do you think it is that a weird hysteria and repulsion has been built up around this one word?

ComposHat me too

But Caitlin they should, what is the difference? I'm not rowing with you, honestly, I think I'm talking from a feminist point of view (not that I particularly am a feminist feminist, I'm girlie), but why is a woman's body part reference in slang, so much more unacceptable than the use of a male's body part?

I've used it a fair few times in a biological sense, far prefer it to describing my nether regions as a cat which makes my skin crawl just thinking of saying it.

The tv companies don't want the hassle of a repressed mysogynist Mary Whitehouse uprising because they can't handle a a four letter word.