The word 'cunt'

[Theroadtomandalay]

Why is it, 'cunt' is an accepted word to use when calling other people names?

I know that is not 'nice' to do so, but it seems like a 'non frowned upon' term to use in informal settings if someone is really really horrible.

I really don't get it! Why use a (very important) part of the female anatomy to insult someone.

For me it seems like the ultimate way to demean a woman's body, and I am so surprised, when other women use that word.
However, I am not from an english speaking country, so perhaps I am missing something- please enlighten me.

Shakespeare made jokes about the word...I think his vocabulary was adequate.

Hamlet: Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
Ophelia: No, my lord.
Hamlet: Did you think I meant country matters?
Ophelia: I think nothing, my lord.
Hamlet: That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.
Ophelia: What is, my lord?
Hamlet: Nothing.

I personally love it. Very few words pack as much of a punch. Use sparingly for maximum effect! 😂

@Bluntness100, I grew up on a council estate in the Central Belt myself, my apologies if you feel I am stereotyping, not my intention. Use of language is variable among all groups of people, of course, and swearing was very frowned upon in my home and those of many of my peers. It has never bothered me personally, and I have never felt that anyone has looked down on me for my Scottishness (been in England all my adult life).

@TopBitchoftheWitches

You take the word back as a woman and happily use it as an insult. Mainly to mysiognists.

This ^

The best comment I ever heard was when a woman called a man a cunt, then apologised saying "of course you're not a cunt - you have neither the warmth nor the depth!"
I wish I could remember who said it.

@supersop60

The best comment I ever heard was when a woman called a man a cunt, then apologised saying "of course you're not a cunt - you have neither the warmth nor the depth!" I wish I could remember who said it.

That's awesome

It's not a word that I ever use and it's not one that is used around me either. I worked for years in a male dominated environment and they would all swear like troupers. They never used the c word in my hearing though.

The only place I ever see it online is Mumsnet. Some posters here delight in it.

I worked a Chatline years ago , ( i was very broke, it was easy money, like acting ,you have a character & fake name). I didn't use that word & neither did 99% of the caller's. I think it was precisely because it's used as an insult & not seen as ok & most of my caller's liked women & were wanting me to enjoy it too. I've never called anyone it & never used it in dirty talk with a partner either (which I've always found a turn on). It is odd it's used as an insult,but then I've heard Northerners use cock as an insult occasionally too.

Ooh, my post got hidden. The gist was that there are words far more offensive than cunt.

It is a really bad word and that is why I only bring it out when I am faced with the worst kind of person and I'll happily call them it.

I haven't led a sheltered life but I hate it. I remember being on a bus and a couple with a little girl aged about 2 kept ringing the bell so her mother was gently telling her to stop. Mum's partner found this hilarious and said to the child "Go on, Amber, have the cunt to do it!". I could have wept for the child.
I've also noticed on here that's it's not uncommon for people to refer to their toddlers as twats and dicks which again I find shocking.

In Glasgow it's practically a term of endearment!

@CitizenFame

It’s not an “acceptable” word to use in informal settings at all

I agree - it is horrible word. Vile.

It's the only one I never use - I can't even bring myself to think it.

@BubblyBarbara

Why use a (very important) part of the female anatomy to insult someone.

But IS it really? Who ever actually uses the word to describe their vagina? Men call their bits dick cock knob etc which is fine. But no woman with any sense calls her bits a c u know what. Let’s cast it off as a crude swear word and stop pretending it means vagina at all.

When I was a teenager (late 80s early 90s) we always used the word cunt for our own anatomy, in fact years before I ever heard the words ‘camel toe’ my friends and I called it a ‘cunt triangle’. I don’t mind using the word cunt during sex or to describe my anatomy, but I find the word pussy absolutely vomitrocious. It makes me actually recoil.

I think cunt is a great word.

I've never related 'cunt' to a vagina, I just use it as a free standing word

bluntless

Agree - never called anybody by that name in my life, nor have I been called one. Born and brought up in Glasgow.

@thinkingaboutLangCleg

I never use 'cunt' as an insult because it's part of a woman's body and I respect it. That's probably part of my second-wave feminist outlook.

We’re obviously from the same era. I’m exactly the same. I’m pretty foul mouthed and it’s the only thing I can’t bring myself to say.

@Littleposh

I've never related 'cunt' to a vagina, I just use it as a free standing word

That is my thought process also

I'm used to a bit of 'industrial' language. But where I'm from in the UK this is at the 'very unacceptable' end of the bad language scale and even the most hardened sweary types will pull each other up for it. It's saved for genuinely heinous people.

@ivfbeenbusy

I'm not sure in what circles you mix but it's not acceptable to use that word in the circles I mix in

People use it for one of two reasons 1 - they think they are "cool" and using it for shock value 2 - they are chavs with a poor command of the English language

No, it’s neither of those things in my circles. We’ve simply grown up with the word so it doesn’t seem that bad at all. It’s certainly the best word to use during dirty talk the rest seem either so porn oriented for the male or sickeningly twee. I think it strikes the right balance and it’s a powerful woman’s word.

I think it’s regional. It’s less offensive in some parts. Like I know some people from the north west who use cock as a term endearment and can’t see it as that offensive, but I would probably use cock as the absolute worst insult.

ABCDay Classic

@ViciousJackdaw

Ooh, my post got hidden. The gist was that there are words far more offensive than cunt.

MN (usually quite rightly) hide posts that use words like the former name of the charity Scope, and other disabilist words. Totally agree there are far worse and more hurtful words out there. I would not be too upset at a teenager of mine using cunt- I would be very cross if they used racist or disabilist language.

So when the word gay changed meaning to be a general derogatory insult was that ok?

The point sailed farrrrr over your head. Read the post again?

Why is it more offensive than dick, dickhead, cock, knob, knobhead, fanny or fud? All are used frequently to insult both male and female.