Can we ban the 'c' word?

[Terfing]

By 'c word', I mean the word 4-letter word that is another word for female genitalia.

As this is a female-dominated forum, I find it highly inappropriate that this word is allowed to be used so liberally. Personally, I think that it is one of the most disgusting words in the English language. As a feminist, i find it highly offensive, and i would like to see it banned from these forums. From what I have seen, it is usually used to insult people (See the current Jordan Peterson thread, for example). However, I find this an insult in itself. Why is being compared to female body parts considered a gross insult? It shouldn't be at all. Mumsnet, as one of the UKs female-focused websites, should take a stand on this word, i think.

I think that swearing in general is okay, but a small number of words are unacceptable because of their literal meaning.

Can we say vagina or fanny instead? Is that acceptable? A word is a word, how you choose to perceive is your problem no one else’s

I agree it is horrible. It seems that women (or some women) have 'reclaimed' the word but it is still vile. I mean, let's face it, none of us would use such language in front of children. Why do we have it inflicted on us here?

See, im a feminist too. I wont be goady and say it but it is my absolute favourite word. My DP says i have a lovely .... that he loves my .... Personally i don't find foofs a thing of beauty and cocks aren't much prettier. it's also a great insult because if the harshness of the word. The same for expressing frustration. Fuck works for me also for the same reason. Words can and do have different meanings. I am however aware that some people dont like it so do try and regulate its use.

We can't say cunt but we can call someone a prick, cock, knob, bellend. It's just a word. I find the word moist more offensive.

I love it too and do use it although not with certain people. I don't find it insulting but it is powerful. I love swearing full stop really.

Asking if you'd say it in front of children isn't really valid unless you're arguing to ban all swearing because I try not to swear at all in front of young kids and tend to follow the parents lead with teens.

Hmmm. The nastiest name someone can be called is also the name for a woman's vulva (or that is what I imagine it is when it's used). I think you're right and it's not good.

How dare you call it a vulva, I’m offended, it’s called my poppy, never mention it again!!!

Police other people's language? Don't be ridiculous. It's just a word, it can't hurt you.

@Whyarealltheusernamestaken I'd say yes, continue to use the words vagina and fanny when referring to body parts, but don't use them as perjorative terms for people unless you're a misogynist. I agree OP!

"We can't say cunt but we can call someone a prick, cock, knob, bellend. It's just a word. I find the word moist more offensive"

Omg yes!!!

Let's ban the m word that rhymes with foist. Urg.

I'm a feminist too and think if we use cunt like we use cock, it's actually less misogynistic. It's the taboo, 'worst word ever' status that's the issue.

Why did you post this twice.

Cunt, cunt, cunt, cunt, cunt.........I actually feel much better and I said it out loud

I said it on the other thread (& why are there 2?)

Cunt is not offensive to me.

It’s rather silly to be clutching your pearls over it, tbh.

I don't understand why people hate that word. To me it's just the same as cock.

Why are people ok using cock but not cunt?

I don't think we should ban 'the c word' - I appreciate mumsnet as an uncensored forum wrt swearing. those who don't like swearing can go hang out at nethuns.

I agree that its regressively antifeminist to use an old word for vagina as the worst insult - sociologically calling someone a cunt is much worse than calling them a dick, cock or penis and that is misogyny but we will not change that by banning the word on these boards.

what we should do is challenge any poster who does use the word to justify exactly why they the person they were calling a cunt was similar to female genitalia, and what is so hateful and awful about female genitalia that it deserves to be compared to awful people in this way. that will spread the notion that using the word cunt as an insult is directly demeaning to all women and people should be ashamed to use it in that way.

look on it as similar to using the word 'gay' as an insult (eg "you are so gay" to the kid who fails to score a goal in football) - it's not the word that is the problem, it's the connotations of using it as an insult. so shame people who use it as an insult and reclaim the word into vocabulary as a simple noun.

People who see cunt as the worst word you can call someone possibly do so because of their own internalised misogyny

Sorry, I love the word. It's because it's so shocking/impactful that it's funny. I find 'pussy* much more distasteful.

In Ireland I've heard it used as a term of endearment, particularly between male friends.

I'm a feminist by the way maybe not a very good one.

As a feminist, you really should take a moment to understand the etymology of the word you find so offensive. It’s origin isn’t such - it has been used by misogynists for centuries though as a degrading term and the reclamation rightly attempts to neutralise that.

Vagina - the etymology of which is ‘sword sheath’ is much, much more offensive to me as a feminist.

I find the ‘c’ word very offensive but I don’t think it should be banned.

Please can we ban the word Front Bottom?

See i dont massiveky understand your arguement OP, well i do, but you've actually pointed out yourself where it falls down

Why is being compared to female body parts considered a gross insult

Its not, you're the one thats seeking to ban it, you're the one that doesn't like it, why do you consider a word that describes a piece of your own body as gross? How do you feel about twat, fanny, pussy, words that describe the same piece of genitalia sjall we ban those too? Or tit?

As in I was a Tit, or he's being a pussy. Or what a twat.

Maybe we shouldn't find words about ourselves gross or some how unacceptable.

And also do you really think its just female genitalia thats used in auch a way

Dick, Cock, Bollock, Bellend, ballsack. Prick,

In fact, look theres more words relating to male genitalia that are considered insults than there are female ones. I dont quite understsnd why cunt has become such a taboo ove twat either

My cousin had a one night stand and the guy said front bottom during sex.
She’s never recovered.

Thanks for the inspiration op.

That’s a no from me.