C**t as a derogative term.

[Billie18]

Makes my blood boil every time I hear it uses as a derogative term.

I don’t mind it as a swearie word, it’s often used as a colloquialism

It doesn't bother me in the slightest to be honest? Maybe it would if it was aimed at me specifically, but probably not.

In Irish and Scottish slang it’s a colloquialism and pretty much in everyday parlance
And it’s not offensive because it doesn’t refer to female anatomy

Thats interesting. - what does it refer to in scotland and ireland?

I always remember germaine greer talking about it when i was younger andvsaying it was a good word because it was a womans anatomy on its own terms rather than geing a swords sheath

Ok, so did he see that cunt Maguire today? Did you see your mate?cunt cunt is used like a conjunctive adverb

A quick listen to franke Boyle you’ll get it.

I don't mind it so much unless shouted as an insult, particularly aimed at a woman (the same way I wouldn't like "you fucker" etc.)

It seems quite common to be used almost affectionately in a bantery sort of way.

Don't mind it. And during hetro sex I prefer the man to reference a vagina as a cunt rather than pussy 🤮

@WouldstrokeTomHardy

Don't mind it. And during hetro sex I prefer the man to reference a vagina as a cunt rather than pussy 🤮

Ha, agree!

It doesn't bother me as an insult, as we also say "prick", "bell end", "dick", "dickhead" etc. In the context of insults, they are just words to me and I don't really associate them strongly with the anatomical meanings.

I think it's great to use as an insult, if the person saying it has one! I can't stand men saying it.

I would prefer to be called a cunt than a Karen. There is honesty in the former misogyny. Also prefer cunt than cis. Similar reasons

It's just awful and the one swear word I can't abide. To be honest I'm very judgmental of people who use it as part of normal every day language? Comes across as uncouth and uneducated and attention seeking

I find it unpleasant and shocking and misogynistic, but I think that's because I'm not British and it's not as widely used where I grew up. Obviously it's different for UK natives.

@HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee

Ok, so did he see that cunt Maguire today? Did you see your mate?cunt cunt is used like a conjunctive adverb A quick listen to franke Boyle you’ll get it.

It’s also used instead of body in anybody... so, any cunt going to the shop isn’t polite, but it isn’t horrifying either.

Also people can be good cunts, which is a compliment.

It’s always men that are called cunts in that jokey bantery way actually...

It can be used any old way, what cunt sent me that text?whos that mad cunt you were talking to

There’s nothing uncouth,uneducated or attention seeking about naturalistic use of language @ivfbeenbusy
If it offends your middle class sensibilities that’s going tittu and demonstrably illustrates your lack of understanding about language and dialect.Imposing a modern mannered interpretation upon use of the word cunt as uneducated actually marks you out as uneducated in linguistics and culture
You simply cannot diminish Irish and Scottish linguistics with a pithy comment about manners

If it offends your middle class sensibilities that’s tough titty and demonstrably illustrates your lack of understanding about language and dialect

It's just a word. They're all just words.

You can call someone a pebble and put so much vile hatred behind it that it's nasty and abusive. You call call someone a string of the most hated words in the English Language and mean it with affection.

Mind you I told DD1 she could use the work fuck in her school creative writing as long as it was in context like a teenage character using it as emphasis (she'd come to ask me if it was a real word so I got my dictionary out and we looked up a few words and why we might or might not use them). At the time she was 8yo and tragically she didn't us it.

Cunt, pussy, twat, fanny used as insults are no more offensive than dick, cock, knob, dick for brains (thanks DNephew for teaching me that gem).

No, cunt isn’t always an insult. It’s a common colloquialism that’s not an insult

@HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee

If it offends your middle class sensibilities that’s tough titty and demonstrably illustrates your lack of understanding about language and dialect

My offense has nothing to do with reference to a body part it has to do with a specifically female body part being used to signify something generally derogative. f C**t was used to signify something great or good I would be fine with it.

I kind of know what you mean, the fact that in England at least, it's the 'worst' swear word says a lot.

Swear words are interesting and in general show the hierarchy. When men are insulted, the insults tend to relate to an inability to get laid or to women they are related to. There's also a lot which refer to being penetrated as if that is the worst thing possible (homophobic/ misogynistic).

Words like dick, cock, nob are considered quite mild (although can be delivered with aplomb ).

When women are insulted it's generally comparing them to animals. Or that they get laid too easily.

I find it all v interesting.

On cunt. I believe the word used to be just a normal word, years and years ago. The fact it has been become 'the worst'. Says more about society than anything else.

I think looking at swearing in general through a feminist lens is interesting.

I also used to have a visceral reaction to it like you, OP. and I do not generally use it. It's been watered down in impact over the last 20 years or so I'd say though.

So yes I get you OP.

The idea that in society the word cunt is no more offensive than the word dick is simply not true in my neck of the woods (London). I accept in other places is carries less weight.

The other thing I have always found odd is that fuck is considered strong. And yet sod it, and bugger, round here, are considered very mild. I mean there's no logic to this stuff!

I’m not answering you billie, I ammended a typo I’m replying to @ivfbeenbusy

I think Scroobius Pip nails it with these lyrics:

If I say "Fuck" a lot, well then I may gain more attention
If I say "Cunt", well then with some of you there will be tension
I find this interesting, 'cause in the end they are just words
You give them power when you cower, man, it's so absurd.

The power around language is a really interesting discussion point. I often refer to myself as a TRF but report people who call women that on social media. I’ve been called a cnt on social media by men before and it’s pretty shocking but only really demonstrates their misogyny so no sleep lost.

Meh. It’s just the old Saxon word for vagina. It became a term of disparagement when the Normans invaded. Harold’s men chanted to William the Bastards men “Out Out Yon Cunt” before the battle of Hastings. Ever since then, it’s been a way of punching up- oppressed Saxon to Norman overlord down though the ages to East Londoner to West Londoner.