Using bitch for a dog

[Dunarunner]

Probably going to be told to get a grip but AIBU to think this is a little bit odd. Have been having work done on house and also have a relatively new Labrador puppy.

On Monday a man came in to do some plastering and we had a brief chat in the kitchen about dogs. I mentioned ours is a girl and he sort of looked me in the eye and said ‘yeah, bitches are best. Less trouble.’ I was a bit but told myself he was just using the correct terminology.

But on Friday, electrician was patting the dog and said ‘I’ve got a couple of bitches too’ or something to that effect.

I’m no prude (and rather too fond of the c word in the right situation)
But couldn’t help but feel the men were enjoying being able to use the word ‘bitch’ legitimately, to a woman at home alone and was, if not creeped out, then just a touch unsettled

Dunarunner

Do you feel clever now? I know my your/you’re - thank you. Have you never mistyped anything?

Dunarunner

And, furthermore, YOUR proving how absolutely ridiculous you are

@rainbowcase got to say, I feel like you’re a bit over-invested but carry on

I fell foul of someone's sensitivities over this a number of years ago when I asked them if their pet was a dog or a bitch.

The adults gasped and looked daggers at me and the children giggled.

But that was in America where, I later found out, the word bitch is considered quite a strong swear word; must make the dog breeding world there quite tricky, I imagine.

Perhaps they call them men dogs and lady dogs, in order to differentiate, I never found out.

@elenacampana where have I been anything but completely upfront, or tried to justify anything I’m feeling? Seriously.

got to say, I feel like you’re a bit over-invested but carry on

What does that even mean? Over invested? It's literally the stupidest line people trot out on a forum. The whole point is to talk. To post. To get involved. You just don't like what I am saying.

@Pardonwhat What has this got to do with ‘feeling clever’?

Dunarunner

Why else would you correct a silly typing error?

Yabu 100%

I love Irn Bru and so do my bitches!

@rainbowcase I’m entirely neutral about what you are saying. Not that’s not true, I’m interested in what you have to say. To a point. You’re just not really adding anything to the conversation at this stage, other than insulting me. I’m not saying I’m offended, far from it, just curious as to why you’re so keen on doing so.

As somebody who grew up in east London and whose primary education took place there I can assure you that I knew from early childhood a female dog was called a bitch. I really take exception to the implication that the population of the area is generally thick and uneducated. Maybe it’s just the people you mix with.

Dunarunner

You do know that this is an open forum and you don’t get to censor the replies to suit yourself?

@Pardonwhat because it is harder to accept a personal insult (that I’m not mature/clever enough to own a dog, or whatever it was you said. I forget) when it’s poorly communicated.

If you felt uneasy listen to your gut.

@AlexaAmbidextra I was more referring to the fact that it is a particularly urban area. It’s you that inferred ‘thick’ though. Why do you suppose that is?

Deary me, you must live in a very cloistered world.
Your brother of 18+ would never use the word bitch in the presence of a lady I’m sure he says worse.
I honestly can’t believe there are such naive delicate folk out there 🙄🤣

I don’t think OP said she was offended as such, more that it made her feel uncomfortable. She was wondering if they had used the word bitch to purposely make her feel that way. She INBU to feel that; particularly as she may have picked something up in their manner and tone.

We nor she know the answer, they may feel perfectly comfortable using the correct terminology and would do so to anyone, anywhere so wouldn’t even consider that someone may feel that way.

My DC from young have been told the names for both sexes of animals and their group names. They’d have known in Y1 or 2 that a female dog is a bitch, they’d also have known it was a horrible name to call someone. Not sure any of them would have volunteered the answer in class just in case.

Dunarunner

Equally, it’s hard to take criticism for a typing error off someone who’s crying on the internet about their dog being referred to as the bitch that it is

Oh do grow up everyone. OP made it clear at the outset that she knew bitch was the correct terminology, and that she wasn't bothered by swearing normally.

I think it's an interesting point. I've noticed something similar myself (and so has DH, so it's not just a hysterical wimmin thing ). In my experience, it's been men rather than women who call them bitches (women just say 'girl' or 'female'). I don't think it's exactly that the men have enjoyed being 'allowed ' to say it.... But it does feel like they're conscious of saying it. Really hard to articulate.

OP, I know what you mean. Of course it is the correct term for a female canine, and I use it myself, but yeah, I can imagine the slightly creepy vibe from a certain sort of bloke who knew he could not be picked up on using the word because it was technically correct. Just that tiny, pathetic little bit of power. Particularly given that he said bitches were 'less trouble'.

Don't think you deserve the kicking you got on here, tbh.

I'm not going to be goaded. Tempting as it is.

@Pardonwhat crying? I’m fine, but thanks.

Why don't you write to the Oxford dictionary and tell them the term bitch for female dog offends you.

Op going off your original post communication isn't your strong point so once again you are not in a position to criticise anyone for what you (wrongly) feel are poor communication skills.