How do we feel about the c-word?

[JustineMumsnet]

Generally, as you know, we take a fairly relaxed view about swearing on MN but we do in our Talk Policy promise to remove postings that are obscene.

We've had a complaint about the c-word as posted here and are rather torn as to whether to leave it or not - it's not a personal attack so were it your average term of abuse, we'd usually let it stand. But some people hate the c-word and view it as much worse than traditional forms of abuse - beyond the pale as it were, others argue that it should be reclaimed...we're somewhere on the fence and it's not comfortable

Would be good to garner your thoughts, so we can jump off one way or t'other?

I would just stick to removing obscene thread titles/personal attacks tbh. I read that thread and didn't even notice the c-word - really doesn't bother me!

doesnt annoy me at all

Personally, I hate the word.
It is just about the only word in the English language that really offends me, whether used as swearing, an insult or simply to describe part of a woman's anatomy.
However, I wouldn't want MN to censor it.
I'd just hope that people would consider other people's feelings before using such strong language.

In my innocence I actually thought c-word as being "c-section"!

Doesn't bother me,

I hate the word personally, but that is my own veiwpoint.

I also hate the words - stupid, idiot, lush.....they all make me shudder and they are banned in my house!

BUT

each to their own, and other people surely find words that I use distasteful, and this is a wonderful site as we do all feel free in the way we 'speak'.

banning posts that are bullying or attacking should be done, but not just as an expression of speach......if that happened then we would all start feeling twitchy about how we come across and then there wouldn't be the variations of personalities that we have here.

Using swear words in the title of the thread tho? That should be censored in some way, but also, not banned entirly. Maybe by making sure that the first and last letter is obvious with stars in between, which many do here already. And I only say this because I often have my pre/teens sat looking over my shoulder( at DD's!).

Well, asthe person who complained didn't have the courage to mention it on the thread in question, and as none of the other posters had a problem with it (or even mentioned it), I would go with the majority view and let it remain.

Besides, it's been around for hundreds of years .. it's Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was only the Victorians who decided it was rude.

I love it
its usage separates the wheat from the chaff, IMO.

Does not bother me at all. I think it got the posters feelings over quite well!!

I hate the word too - but I wouldn't want to see it banned - slippery slope from then on in really.

Exactly Suzy! I love it when people use it to great effect. It's also one of my own fave swear words of choice and sometimes nothing else will do. (I limit myself to "bum" in front of DS of course)

I hate it and wouldnt dream of saying it or typing it.

I would like to see it banned......

.....as it is just not ladylike !!

I don't mind it. But I like the way adults can say whatever they want & it's not all * out.... that pisses me off

oh fgs

We are all english and grown up
This is not the USA where they even
bleep the word bloody

Please don't start censoring along these lines it is just too prescriptive

I agree with tha tpost the bus driver did sound liek a cunt. It is not an attack on anyone on mn and I doubt he posts on here really

oh alrigtht I am not PERSONALLY very grown up
but most are

Not a word I feel comfortable using buuuutttt, I don't like the idea of banning it on a forum such as this.
It's a site for adults not mums and toddlers, so as such I think it should be allowed.

Perhaps we should use it every other word a la the Vagina Monologues so we all get nice and desensitised. It's only a word.

I don't particularly like the word but sort of approve of women reclaiming it as their own term of abuse - unreasonably, if it were used by a man I would have a much stronger reaction.
But if I had to choose between the use of the c word and censorship, I'd choose any sort of random indiscrimate swearing you like - please don't start down the freedom of speech route. It will all end in tears.

Taking the name of Mr Eastwood in vain is a way some people get round this on other fora, i.e.:

What a CLINT

I think it is appropriate on that thread. I think cnt is like ngger - appropriate when reclaimed only. Therefore women using the word cnt is more appropriate than men using it [towards women anyway] Having been in a [previous]abusive relationship where i was called a cnt threateningly, I can see a world of difference between this, and a woman calling a man a c*nt because he is behaving abusively.

It doesnt bother me in the slightest.

It makes me chrtle when CD uses it, especially when its aimed at 4x4 drivers.

One should remember that Chaucer used the word to brilliant comic effect...

calzone, i genuinely have no wish to be "ladylike".

It should not be allowed. It's a vile word used by people with limited vocab and even more limited intellect

Are you calling Chaucer a writer with limited intellect???

I don't like it any more or less than other swear words. I find that it is often used to express the extreme feeling especially in the example posted,
I wouldn't want it removed