there is a woman at school who is such a prissy pita that I couldn't resist saying the c word in front of her

[moopdaloop]

no children around and it was relevant to the conversation I was having, although wanker would also have done. The people I was talking to laughed and agreed

I never use the c word normally

Hmm this is interesting, there have been some very 'high-class' or classy users of the word cunt and some very educated ones too. Again, the effect is better when not over used or used in unlikely way.

Anyway off topic a bit there.

I think it depends on context. 10/10ers use of cunting mangoes for example is perfectly used.

lol fio

I don't care about the word (though I do object to women's genitals being seen as so especially disgusting) but I think to use the word as a way of deliberatly upsetting someone is just contemptible really. And no more adult than a small child shouting poo-poo wee-wee for effect. Infantile really.

Fio

That would honestly not bother me.

But... someone using it to make someone else feel uncomfortable is low class and childish.

I second the point (or maybe 3rd/4th whatever) it is not the word itself I find offensive it is the pleasure at using it knowing the effect it would have that I can't understand from a grown woman and a fellow mother.

"But... someone using it to make someone else feel uncomfortable is low class and childish."
I agree with that and that refers to any word.
I don't actually mind the word cunt at all. I use it, on occasion there is no substitute but only ever to people I know will not be offended and who use the word themselves

The other mum will be posting soon about an awful school gate clique that used the c word just to upset her....

I think, as a feminist, I have a duty to demystify the female body, so, amongst adults, I'll make sure to use cunt to describe that part of my body. Why should a part of our bodies be the worst swearword? The more it gets used the less it will shock people.

I think about every month or so there is a post on MN about someone who feels excluded or bullied or intimidated by other mothers at the school gate.

This is exactly what you were doing.

Couldn't give a rat's arse about the words that you used but I think you need to be a bit more considerate and respectful of other people's feelings.

But no doubt you will think this a prissy reply.

Grow up.

moop - I totally see where you're coming from. I love the c-word, it can be very funny, I use it around DP and other mates - and I sometimes have to fight it back when I'm with the prissier less foulmouthed of my mumly acquaintances.

(SL is 38)
(and classy)

Completely agree Lissy D.

LissyD, using the word to 'reclaim' it is not remotely similar to using the word to deliberately make another person feel uncomfortable. Actually I would feel that a person who I barely knew who kept swearing at me was exceptionally socially inept, and I'd probably feel sorry for them. It's just inappropriate.

Actually using it to upset someone is really saying 'this is the most disgusting word I know and I'm going to deliberately upset you by using it', which is hardly a feminist statement, is it?

MSdimeanour I think perhaps you ought to recheck the policywonk thread you recently posted on

It's interesting, I don't like it when people just swear non-stop with endless extremely strong swear words peppering every sentence. That's bullish and aggressive and makes me uncomfortable. But I don't think that is the same thing at all as a judicious, occasional, creatively phrased, very funny expletive. And as moop said, in this case it popped out unintentionally and I can relate to that.

No, Fio I don't actually. All those things are mean and horrible and pointless. I just think, try to be nice, and if you can't be nice anymore, be nasty behind their back
(though there's nobody I hate at my kids schools oddly enough, though obviously there are annoying ones!)
COV - oops! I thought it was horrible! Will apologise.

And I do think that if a grown woman really gets shaken up by hearing that word, I'm afraid I do find that a bit prissy and pathetic. It's just a very rude word, one we've all heard many times. To get so shocked about it does strike me as a bit disingenuous and when people are like that I think "grow up" about them, actually.

Was she 'shaken up by it' though? No evidence she was. It's the motivation behind saying it that is attracting criticism. It was said with the sole intention of upsetting someone, which really is childish and aggressive.

so, let me get this right, this woman is viewed as a prissy pita? Is just by you or by your clique? You chose to use the C word just to upset her? Well, excuse me if i upset you, but you sound like a prize CUNT

She may only have been shaken up by its use in a school play ground which is unappropriate imo. Her and her friends may swear in other situations.

Gosh, actually, I've been thinking about this, and I've realised I don't really care in the slightest about what happened to two people I don't know in a playground far away. Why am I posting? I've gone mad.