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.

I don't find it acceptable. I don't think I've ever heard it in real life.

I think I'd be far more offended if someone called me one of those twee MN "insults" like cockwomble or dickmuffin than a cunt!

haven't been to one of her Garden Parties (yet) but I understand that the language soon deteriorates to that only usually heard in the mess rooms of the Ark Royal

Didn’t happen at the one I went to.

I only really ever use it when talking about myself or dp. As in 'urgh I can br such a dozey cunt' or 'I really love you cunt face'

You've had a sheltered life @katy1213 !
A colleague of mine used to sing a song about me calling me a cunt. I took it as a compliment!

It's the only word in the English language that has any impact. My heart secretly swells with pride when a kid is brave enough to use it at school.

I saw an interview with someone who worked for the Royal Family. He recounted his acute embarrassment when the Queen Mother asked him what the word 'berk'* meant as she had heard it used around the stables.

*Rhyming slang from 'Berkshire Hunt'

As a Londoner who uses rhyming slang I don’t think berk and cunt are synonymous. Despite the origin of berk, it is more like prat or nob. I’d let my kids say berk, not cunt.

Because he says it better than I do:

Nothing's original, I stole this flow from The Creator
And from some others too, can't think right now, I'll name 'em later
If I say "Fuck" a lot, well then I may gain more attention
If I say "Cunt", well then with some of you there will be tension
I find this interesting, 'cause in the end they are just words
You give them power when you cower, man, it's so absurd
But all that was covered by Lenny Bruce, back in the day
Nothing's original, now I'm repeating what I say

Mr Scroobius Pip.

OP word of caution noting that you are a non native English speaker. That word is really not acceptable in an informal setting. You will quite likely cause grave offense, particularly in the presence or children.

Also, Ina May Gaskin on the word cunt:

I like it so much I bought the T-shirt!

I don’t use the word in conversation not that it offends I personally find the word twat more offensive

My favourite singer is Miles Hunt. He seems, prob through many years at school, to use the word as a badge of honour for him and other people

TBH I've always thought the C word is the worst possible swear word because it disparages women. The fact that I am surrounded by people/peers that feel the same and so use that word very little makes me feel slightly like there is an underlying respect in women instilled somewhere in my age group of people.

@Bluntness100 it's really not "shit" as you so politely put it - I've grown up in Glasgow, still return home regularly and believe me, I've heard some inventive uses of the word. Just because you're not aware of it going on in your circles, doesn't mean it's not true...

[quote vangoghing]@Bluntness100 it's really not "shit" as you so politely put it - I've grown up in Glasgow, still return home regularly and believe me, I've heard some inventive uses of the word. Just because you're not aware of it going on in your circles, doesn't mean it's not true...[/quote]
I didn’t say it didn’t happen, any more than I didn’t say it didn’t happen in England. I said it was a certain demographic. And not widespread

And I stand by that.

I noticed it a lot. You and I must've been hanging round in the wrong demographic then @vangoghing ! Ah well. I can live with that.

@StarchyStanley absolutely not sure how I will continue to function knowing I was clearly in with a group of louts in my youth!

I really don't understand how people get so up in arms about a word. The context of it is all that matters to me, and yes sometimes people use it as an insult (in which case it is supposed to offend so I'm not sure how expressing your offence will alleviate your outrage) but it is generally very clear from tone how it was meant.

The saying that 'only people with limited vocabulary swear' is utter rubbish, aside of the study proving otherwise, you see people from all parts of society using various profanities, from 'chavs' to doctors. The most insulting word you can think of without swearing just does not mean the same as it's explicit equivalent, you cannot express the same level of rage or frustration with mild-mannered insults. The suggestion that swearing and lack of education go hand in hand is just snobbery.

There are also obvious cultural differences, such as how in some places the word in question is used in a light-hearted way where in others it is derogatory, and how in some places people refer to everyone as 'love' or where in others it is used to be dismissive of women.

And I say all of this as someone who doesn't use the c word... I just don't see why people allow the word itself so much power.

@Macncheeseballs Hate it, it's the one word I would never want my kids to hear/say
Personally I find stupid, thick, ugly, pathetic, useless, retard, mong and any racial slur far far worse. Those words are not allowed in my house.
But if they’re acting cunty they get told so.

[quote OwlBeThere]**@Macncheeseballs* Hate it, it's the one word I would never want my kids to hear/say*
Personally I find stupid, thick, ugly, pathetic, useless, retard, mong and any racial slur far far worse. Those words are not allowed in my house.
But if they’re acting cunty they get told so.[/quote]
A couple of those words were in the post of mine that got hidden - so yes, I'm with you on this. They are the foulest words of all.

I don’t use it often just for people I really really dislike, mostly my sister 😂

Theroadtomandalay

True! What does the letters stand for?

WorraLiberty

C U Next Tuesday?

We're always busy on a Tuesday so we say C U Next Thursday

It's just a bunch of letters put together, nothing offensive to me.

[quote vangoghing]@StarchyStanley absolutely not sure how I will continue to function knowing I was clearly in with a group of louts in my youth! [/quote]
ah well. Hyacinth Bucket won't be inviting us to any of her candlelight suppers, but, in time, I'm sure we'll get over it!

@StarchyStanley - I too am a bad advert for Scotland, it seems. Aye well, never mind, eh?

Totally agree with you , OP . I have tried explaining this to friends on several occasions but they think I’m odd .

I think it’s terrible to use cunt as an insult.
Cunts are lovely !
Let’s hear it for the cunts !