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?

used as description or as insult, LEM?

Where I used to live it was seen as a term of endearment, e.g "awright
ya cunt, hows it gawn" said mainly by men, although to be fair it was never in a malicious tone.

I find it more amusing that in 2014, we're still using 'bastard' as an insult.

I don't know why but it's the one word I don't use IRL and although I accept it, I don't like it being used on here. I support freedom of speech though so can't object.

Cunt is a wonderful word.

Why is calling someone a cunt regarded by many as being worse than dick?

Why is it the "worse name to call a man"?

Identifying cunt as worse than any other swear word offends me, because I feel it's insinuating that my cunt is somehow different from anyone else's genatalia.

I lovey cunt and I love saying cunt.... I also like to call my DH a cunt... He quite likes it

I don't actually love cunt.... I love *my cunt.

Although I have a healthy respect for everyone else's cunt.

Because it's an ace word as is:

wankbadger
twunt
knob
prick
cock/lodger

What's more feminist, using a word because you want to or not using a word because it applies to a part of a woman?

Oh, and YABU.

ThereAreOtherForumsTiggaxx

Yanbu

I hate it . It makes me cringe. The point I suppose.

However since being on mn I've heard it so much that I've actually becoming desensitised to it.

Yabu

Meerka

Cunts are beautifully enjoyable things that belong only to women that give a lot of pleasure. Why use them as a term of hate? Seems like the women haters have done their job, if a really enjoyable bit of the female body is used as one of the worst insults you get.

Yes exactly. If one is comfortable using the word why use it as an insult? That's what my original question was. Its use on here is not in a friendly way - for example the Top Gear and cat poo thread.

I don't think most people using cunt think of it with the literal meaning. Any more than using bastard mean it literally, after all nearly half the children are bastards now.

Someone called me a Tory cunt once (true story).
I was most upset.
Fucking hate the Tories.

I dont like any insult words used, by man or woman. Full stop.

actually I was most surprised by quite a few people using 'cunt' on Relationships to describe really nasty men ...

I've just realised,because of this thread,that I don't think ive ever said the word cunt aloud.Weird cos I love a good swear.

Language changes over time. 'Nice' used to be an insult; it once meant ignorant or stupid. Cunt and twat are now more commonly used as, and understood to mean, insults about someone's personality.

I love the word cunt, it's one of my favourites. It's very versatile. I love how it can be both an insult and a great, earthy name for vagina, and that the two meanings have actually become pretty much separate. The word cunt is also really enjoyable to say.

I find it far more offensive when grown women insist on using cutesie euphemisms for their genitals because they are too mimsy to use correct, or adult, terms. Daft cunts.

We could start an expressive movement class to help reclaim the word, and call it "Dances with cunts."

I wonder why Anglo Saxon words like 'cock', 'cunt' and 'fuck' came to be seen as being beyond the pale whereas their Latin equivalents of 'penis', 'vagina' and 'coitus' became the respectable and official versions.

I'm not remotely fussed by the word cunt, and I'm always a little puzzled by the kerfuffle it creates.

It's just a word. It doesn't have any particular history or associations attached to it, other than the fact that it's a word for female genitals. I find words that have been historically used for people with physical or learning disabilities far more offensive, because they have been used to target a particular group of people.

Cunt isn't something that is generally aimed at any race/gender/minority group. It's just a general insult.

And from a feminist point of view, surely we shouldn't be discouraging people from using the word - we should be encouraging people to stop squealing in horror when it is used. The issue is not about whether it's the worst thing you can say to someone, it's about it being the worst thing that someone can have said to them. If someone calls you a cunt, why is this worse than being called a dick? The meanings are slightly different, obviously, but ultimately they're both words for genitals.

As long as people keep swooning in horror at the use of the word, it will retain its special "worst word ever" status.

I like 'dances with cunts'
To me the point is that the status of the word as 'worst swear ever' points to a very deep misogyny- disgust at women's genitals and reducing women to their genitals. So, to use it as a swear word, IMO, confirms that judgement. It's a word we should reclaim (then we wouldn't need all the front bottom nonsense)- but that will be hard while it's still being used as an insult. It really doesn't have the same status as knob, prick etc although those aren't words I would use (as I expect people not to use cunt)
For all the people saying it's used affectionately/has no special power to shock, I would ask if it is ever used in formal contexts or in the company of someone in authority? Eg in front of an unknown older person?

squoosh, that is a really interesting fact (about the Anglo Saxon v Latin terminology). I have embraced the word and it is liberating! And yet, my DS(3) still uses 'penis' and 'vulva' so maybe I am being hypocritical. I like 'vulva' and 'vagina' as they are more specific though. The thing that gives me the rage is when I hear mothers teaching their daughters that they have a 'flower'

Micky Flanagna is very on the topic.

Casual cunting indeed.

Or Flanagan, even. Sorry.

shallisanti and Meerka your posts made the most sense to me. It's either an acceptable word for female genitalia(and for those of you who assumed I am too narrow minded to use it in that sense, wrong. I don't use any words except the correct formal words. The alternatives are largely silly to a greater or lesser degree)or it's a valid word as an insult. It seems very strange to happily use it for both

I've not seen any explanation from those who think it's a great word to use as an insult why they think a word which means female genitalia should be used as a very insulting term.

I mentioned I don't use any of the male alternatives as insults either. Again that's being prudish but for the reason Meerka gave which apply equally to penises.