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?

No, don't ban it. Individual uses can be reported and deleted as normal - I think your existing rules cover it ok.

"Cunting Sainsbury's" was one of my fave thread titles too.

As for the misogyny thing, I take the point, but then dick or dickshaft or cock or wankstain are insults too, and they refer solely to men. I think women should reclaim "cunt" and use it more often.

Removed, yes, if it's offended someone in a particular context. But not banned altogether - tis just censorship.

Don't ban it.

Agree that swearing shouldn't be in thread titles.

Definitely think we should ban hun though!

Meant to say - although I hate it's use in certain applications, that doesn't mean I think it should be banned.

There are far more offensive words and phrases on mumsnet (only in my totally subjective opinion)

And I don't believe in censorship at all and as a feminist I think there is an argument for using it more so it goes back to being a descriptive word without the rude Victorianesque connotations.

Also agree with no swearing in titles - just so we have a choice for others not to see it.

no censorship, please.

complainers can go elsewhere.

Don't ban it.

Pointless.

I've been on chatrooms before where things have been banned and they just find other ways of writing it.
Like Kunnt.

JV Why do you dislike the word moist???

no censorship.

we all have agreed not to put swearing in thread titles and that is almost always stuck to.

we are supposed to be adults here, i think we should be able to cope with colourful language on a screen.

We are all adult on here so it's not like we haven't heard the word before, ok some people may find it offensive but if you start taking 'offensive' words from this site then it won't be the same mn that we all know and love.

If it is used against another mnetter in a very offensive way then by all means delete that message, but I think people on here will be outraged if their freedom on this site to express them selves is taken away or limited.

I don't like the word but int his kind of context I'd just ignore it. As a term of abuse, as like other offensive abusive remarks it's not on.

't want to see it in a thread title though. Mind you wouldn't really want any swearing in thread titles ideally as you never know who is watching the screen whilst it is on - DCs, MIL, boss, etc

What do we think about blasphemy in thread titles? I nearly wrote a blasphemous one yesterday but chickened out and just wrote a mildly blasphemous OP instead.

I'm a Christian and I don't believe in blasphemy - think the big guy is big enough and ugly enough to look after himself.

it almost seems like bad manners to put it in a thread title.

i think this new fangled technology lark has long since had the facility to swear words you type shit - it types .

this could be used for thrad titles only. we have the technology - we have the tech ...

I run a message board for my sixth form students. It has an automatic seary word censor, and I can set up the words that it edits

I make them amusing, as it amuses me!

all I can say is that it is a good thing we are not doing english and have to talk about Charles Dickens, as it would come out as Charles thingyens

oh nonononono don't ban it

if you do we shall be forced to start a cmapaign with banners

"MN unhand our cunts"

what was your thread title going to be policywonk?

PMSL MB

i think littleapin should get t-shirt made up to that effect franny

I don't use it and I thought it was a bit crude when I read it on the thread.

Bitch comes up automatically as Pregnant dog, and Slut comes up as Very friendly person.

Cunt, btw comes up as Girl Thingy.

But this is for students.

I think our cunts should be fairly free on MN

I have just posted on another thread that it is so nice to have cunt up one's sleeve

well you get what I meant anyway

As long as it isn't abusive then leave it. For what it's worth I thought it a rather apt description of the bus driver!