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?

really, kittywise?

The meaning has changed

personally, I hate the word. I used it today to signify really bad language but I had to hide it squashed between a couple of other swearwords.

wouldn't particularly like to see it in a thread title, but have absolutely no problem with people using it in their posts.

I would, however, have a problem with censorship of it. Some people don't like certain other words, words like "cotton wool" or "celeriac" and we wouldn't ever countenance not allowing them to be used.

Leave it as it is, people who are offended by the word can hide the thread it appears on.

I think chaucer proves it is all in the context.

I think we should have a Chaucerian thread.

Whanne smalle children drinken froote shoote
And nonparentes parken in swich wronge endes
Thanne commen mummesnetteres in swich colere...

etc

Message withdrawn

squonky you swear like a trooper
usually at me

twas you I was talking about in my earlier post when I said I used the C word

she's right, actually, I only ever swear at Harley. I shall resolve never to swear at her again, as she is lovely.

(lovely harley)

It's an ugly word that's used to mean something far from what it really means - personally I don't use the word. But I wouldn't want any words banned from mn.

People should be free to express themself any way they choose provided it is not used as a personal attack.

Please don't censor it. When we play our alphabet swearword game we won't be able to get past Arse and Bollocks!

Personally I love the fact that swearing is allowed on mn, I wouldn't use a full properly spelled out swear word in a thread title.
Besides mn is, I find, fairly self policing when swearing is used as a form of personal attack towards a poster. When I was a real newbie, I confronted a troll and s/he told me in no certain terms to go forth and multiply, 'you bitch'. Which ended in said troll being harangued by at least a dozen posters. It was quickly deleted even though I didn't red button it.Actually I remember feeling a bit miffed about that because it said far more about the troll than it did about me.

[relieved it wasn't me]

Doesn't bother me, agree not in thread titles, but it can be used to great effect

[Nobody likes my Chaucer then]

Find it very offensive, even reading it! Wouldn't want either of my kids saying it so we never do..(although some swear words get overheard at stressful times!!) Ignore it but when it's spoken it really reminds me of a nasty nasty bloke I used to know.

I like the word 'cunt' is the choicest of swear words I find and is saved for very special occassions.

Would be sad to see a certain word disallowed. I hate the word minge.. maybe cunt is banned we could bann that..

and then 'hun' could go. I'm sure the majority would support that ban...

or am I just been a cunt now?

I love Chaucer and am all for a bit of swearing, by the way! Must go and do the $%^&, £"%$*"&$ lunch now!!

I hate that old line of, anyone that swears doesn't have a large vocabulary, it's rubbish or should I say bollocks? I really dislike people that look down their noses at swearing as they are all just words. With regards to people I've met the ones that look down their noses at people that swear are actually fairly limited and on the dumb side.

Personally I think it should be left and don't see the problem at all. I do swear and sometimes use cunt but not very often. I tend to swear more after watching the sopranos.

I dont like the word, mainly because it sounds very contrived in use - opting for the word with maximum shock factor rather than the most fitting.

But I hate several other words more - gusset, luscious, chagrin, myriad, moist etc, etc.........

So could we please NOT ban the C word?......

unless you first ban the those on my list - Thank you please.

I swear and it's because I'm too lazy to express myself more eloquently.
I am not offended at all by a lot of swear words.
The c word is revolting and the is never a good reason to use it.

Please ban it.

Well Kitty noone I know swears for that reason. Just because you do don't assume everyone does it for that reason.

Jodie, they are NOT just words, all words are used and chosen for a reason.
People use swear words because they chose to give over a certain message.
I have found that they more people swear the less intelligent they are.

excuse typos, lots of kids milling around