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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wince at the C word on MN

309 replies

Yarboosucks · 06/10/2015 18:43

I am certainly no prude and have not lived a sheltered life…. But I am amazed at the use of the c-word on here. I just don't get the apparent acceptance to use a reference to female genitalia as an insult. Do people use that word in RL or is it just here?

OP posts:
Vagabond · 08/10/2015 16:37

It doesn't really matter what the etymology of the word is. It has become a cultural taboo, in the same way that saying Nigger has become so.

Pls refer to my statement re guns don't kill people.

If you think it's ok, then we can't change your mind. BUT consider this, would you want people to think badly of you for using a word that is offensive to so many? Most of us seek social approval which is the very reason we have manners.

I would avoid anyone who used the word (except on very rare occasions). I would just simply think that we are not in the same sphere. I would think you were a bit socially ignorant and insensitive. But...hey, your choice to do so and if you are happy to carry on saying something so vulgar when you have the richness of the English language in its stead.....there is no hope for you but to carry on and teach your children the same thing.

I hope you like working at Subway.

jorahmormont · 08/10/2015 16:52

Are you serious Vagabond or did you miss the numerous posts by people saying they say cunt despite holding very senior and well respected jobs? Hardly subway, is it? Also, I'm sure subway workers don't all say cunt.

I won't be teaching it to my child. If she picks it up at school, I'll explain what it means and why it offends people, and tell her that I would be disappointed if she used it to insult someone or said it around people who might be offended by it. I think most parents would do the same.

Just because we swear doesn't mean we're teaching kids "F is for Fuck" As part of the alphabet.

Goodforsolong · 08/10/2015 16:53

I hope you like working at Subway

GrinGrin I was coming back on to give you an equally considered arguments. But then you ended it with that ^^

Which tells me everything I need to know about you and your so called manners.

Notoedike · 08/10/2015 16:58

I think the Subway comment is much more offensive than saying cunt.

badtime · 08/10/2015 17:02

Actually, Vagabond, I would never be so vulgar as to sneer at people for doing service jobs, nor so ignorant as to assume that someone is defined by whether or not they would use a particular word.

However, I think I agree that if we met, I would also rejoice think that 'we are not in the same sphere'.

CactusAnnie · 08/10/2015 17:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

badtime · 08/10/2015 17:14

Annie, don't you find it odd that it is the posters who are so keen on 'the richness of the English language' who also want to restrict the use of certain English words?

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/10/2015 17:14

I think the Subway comment is much more offensive than saying cunt. Yep.

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 08/10/2015 17:16

I swear lots. There are times when I know that I shouldn't swear (out loud, I'm nearly always saying ffs silently, on a loop).

But this kind of thing I use it liberally in real life. Some people dislike it but thats not my problem and the ensuing 'I'm the sweariest, don't-care-if-you don't-fucking-like-it, I swear more swearier than you' pile on, I find a bit grating.

No-one I know uses cunt in conversation or day to day life. Literally no-one. And I know some sweary fuckers.

Liquoricetwirl · 08/10/2015 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

badtime · 08/10/2015 17:33

Actually, Liquorice, it should also have been 'crudest' or 'most crude', but I'm sure you are one of the erudite people with a love of the richness of the English language whose language skills haven't atrophied due to saying 'cunt' all the time, so you knew that anyway.

CactusAnnie · 08/10/2015 17:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/10/2015 17:40

Liquorice did you read the article I posted? Because language changes all the time. Vagina's etymology is nasty, whereas cunt's is interesting and debated. So cunt would have been a much 'better' word to use than vagina. That has changed. But why? I would argue that female power and the sexual nature of women being suppressed is the reason. And why can't people decide that cunt is fine now?

You seem to be arguing that it has always been awful and crude. But it hasn't. And, even if it is now crude, why does it have to be in future?

Liquoricetwirl · 08/10/2015 17:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/10/2015 17:44

Christ, a grammar pedant I normally don't love the grammar pedantry but we are talking about language on this thread...

Liquoricetwirl · 08/10/2015 17:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SiencynArsecandle · 08/10/2015 18:21

It's a word I have disliked because it has a history for me. However, I have taken to using it lately for the absolute extreme 100% cunty cunts who I come into contact with. It seems no other word will do.

If you are offended by it, ignore it.

And as for the Subway comment - what a cuntish thing to say

TheDowagerCuntess · 08/10/2015 18:38

Much as it must pain you to acknowledge it, Vagabond - and if you'd been following the thread even half-heartedly you'd realise it - people from all levels of intelligence use the word.

Besides, I always assume people working in the likes of Subway are students, not career sandwich-makers.

TheDowagerCuntess · 08/10/2015 18:40

Sorry, I changed what I was going to say there, and didn't proof read. 'People of all levels...'

Original poster
Yarboosucks · 08/10/2015 18:46

For the record, whilst I don't like that word, I would like to completely disassociate myself and probably many of the non-C crowd from the Subway comment. Likewise comments about education, class (the other c-word in my book!). The point that most accurately reflects my feeling on the word, it is so aggressive. So I would probably be wary of someone who uses that word and so would avoid them. I would, I admit, judge them for using that word. Would I ever judge someone because of their job - hell no!

Oh, and for the record, I don't wear pearls. At least not during the day Wink

OP posts:
Gottagetmoving · 08/10/2015 19:12

The point that most accurately reflects my feeling on the word, it is so aggressive

I agree,..however most swear words sound aggressive don't they? I am not able to explain why I am happy to say 'Fuck' if I want to but would never say 'Cunt'
I don't feel comfortable saying it. I don't think it's to do with it being a reference to female genitalia because I will say 'twat' as in 'what a twat' etc...
So exactly what it is that stops me using the word cunt, is a mystery to me.

Dawndonnaagain · 08/10/2015 19:33

What an abominable snob you are Vagabond, wouldn't particularly want you in my social sphere, thanks all the same.

Pedestriana · 08/10/2015 22:38

Mrs that's a really interesting article.
I thought that the word was linked to cuneus and cuneform.

I find the origins of words interesting and I do like to try to understand why a word has negative connotations - particularly words considered taboo.
Has anyone here read the book by Inga Muscio?

saucony · 08/10/2015 22:49

Do you know what makes me smile? People who liberally proclaim "twat" and then pearl clutch at the word 'cunt'.

I rarely say cunt but my favourite swear word is twatbadger, so I wonder if I am a massive hypocrite.

samsam123 · 08/10/2015 22:55

I hate it too why are people so uncouth these days

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