Why does MN allow such sexist language?

[wordfactory]

I've just read the Cherie Blair thread and I'm shocked at some of the sexist language.

Ugly pig. Sanctimonious bitch. Evil cow.

Why is this ok?

Why can we not use the 'n' word here on MN, but posters can use outright sexist langauage? And why do posters ignore it, just because it supports their case?

Ha ha!

Because I have challenged the use of particularly horrible language on the CB thread, I have been described as having 'delicate sensibilities'. I think that's the equivalent of the anti-feminists telling feminists to 'calm down', 'get a grip' or 'get a sense of humour', isn't it?!

I really can't believe some of the language on that thread. It's just unnecessary.

I suppose part of the problem is that sometimes it's hard to know what is sexist language. Obviously stuff like bitch and slut and harpy are. But people use twat and wanker to describe both sexes and I am more or less happy for those to be used.

And ugly, oh my GOD I am sick of women being called ugly. But it is one of those words that can be used for both sexes, so I don't think you can ban it. The issue there is more that we have to fight for women to not just be seen in terms of their looks.

BIWI

CALM DOWN DEAR

Most swearing is sexist. Even the usual foul language directed at men basically attacks their mother - bastard, son of a bitch etc etc. Or likens them to female genitalia.

I find the word "bitch" to be abhorrent and misogynist and will not let it be uttered in my house

I do too, but the context (and maybe the generation) for the use of the word 'bitch' matters?

In an (increasingly) rare moment these days, my wife and my two teenage daughters and me were all in the living room at the same time recently. My wife asked me to fetch something for her, but before I could the 16 year old said "He aint your biatch mum!"

The three of them thought this was pretty funny, I just thought it was a sign of the times and a change in the common usage of a word, which does happen.

Doesn't that usage come from men's prisons where to be somebody's 'bitch' is to be used (i.e. fucked) as a substitute for a woman?

It does Pube. It's like saying "you're so shit, you're a woman". Pretty horrible.

I believe so. Usage changes so fast from what they see in the media. Already they are describing something as 'Dope' (meaning it's really good) just because less than a month ago they all saw Will.i.am describing acts on The Voice as Dope.

I doubt my daughter was thinking of the prison usage when she said it. She's saying what other kids say, who copy what their favourite TV personalities say. Who in turn listen to other TV usage (often USA). Who got it from lyrics of black rap artists. Who 'might' be singing about real life usuage in prisons in USA. From years ago. And lots of other words in everyday language that we would be shocked by, you know what I'm sayin'!

Um ... no I'm not sure what you're saying. Are you saying it's OK to use offensive words because it's just what the youngsters say nowadays?

If either of my DC referred to somebody as being somebody's 'bitch' I'd make sure they knew it was offensive and why.

Sorry, my bad. 'you know what I'm sayin' was a failed attepmt to impersonate the phrase that is used to fill space in conversations, requires no answer.

My daughter meant 'don't be lazy mum' and that was the usage she meant. Not as an offensive word. It was said and was taken as humour. Bears no relation to how I have heard Bitch used in my life.

This "language changing" thing rally pisses me off. It only ever seems to get used when the language is changing for the worse- retreating further into misogyny, homophobia and sexism.

No, the word "gay" has not changed it's meaning to "pathetic". You are using the word "gay" to mean pathetic because you think gay people are pathetic.

No, the word "bitch" has a not changed it's meaning to "woman". It means exactly what is has always meant- but there are no longer the social constraints that prevented it being used. You are using the word to mean woman because you think of women as bitches.

It is still offensive, just because "the kids" use it. It still means a woman. You don't get men saying to other men "oh, you're such a bitch". They say "you're a wanker/dickhead/cock" - so it IS still associated with women.

Sexism & ageism are the last unlegislated bastions of prejudice in this country. That's against men as well as women, btw.

I am a prolific swearer in RL as well as on t'internet and am a completely equal-opportunities insulter. I'd have to make up loads of other words if I weren't allowed to use any existing sexist epithets. Speaking as a lazy old caah, I'd rather not make this effort :)

Crazy old feminist witch over & out.

Oh, but YRC, I do call men bitches if they're being bitchy!

God, I must be old! The word "Gay" has changed it's meaning to "homosexual" for me , not "pathetic"... Late 70's or thereabouts, I would guess...

Bitch is all about comparing someone to an irritable female dog on heat - ie ready to be f*cked. Yes, sometimes used about men. It is derogative and imo diminishing to women.

Calling someone "your bitch" implies to me that they are your unhappy sex slave. Nice.

The fact that this word is in common parlance does not in my view make it an acceptable word to use, any more than "spaz" for instance is acceptable.

Bitchiness is when a female dog on heat fights off another female dog to get the male to have sex with her

IME when a man is called a bitch, he's usually gay.

My favourite equal-opportunity insults are arsehole (everybody's got one) and wanker (almost everybody is one).