To say that 'cunt' is inherently wrong is to imply that there is something inherently wrong with my genitalia. What else should I call it? My vag? Being sensitive to the feelings of others does not mean eliminating all slang terms for the vagina and never referring to it as a twat, muffin, pussy, or cunt in informal, private dialogue, literature, or art. I am all for women reclaiming the word cunt for personal use to refer in a loving and/or empowering way to vaginas.
However, I do think it is offensive to call someone a cunt as a slur. When used on a man it has the implication that to be associated with being like a vagina should offend them/the vagina is offensive (same reasoning as above), and to call it to a woman has both this connotation and the effect of demeaning her by equating her entire being with her vagina
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really? I haven't ever seen/hear of men getting really REALLY angry about the word "dick" being used like "cunt" might be by a woman. whereas, women HATE the c word.
I haven't ever seen/ heard of men getting really angry about women using the word "dick" the way that some men use "cunt"... whereas, women hate the c word.
There is definitely more of a social taboo against using the word 'cunt' than the word 'dick', and I think part of that taboo is cultural and part of it is historical; women have been historically the disenfranchised group and are more often victims of sexism or gender-specific violence.
However, if you examine why it is wrong to call people cunts, I think it also applies to calling people dicks. That is not to say that they are equally offensive in all areas of the world nor to imply that cunt is not a more offensive word most of the time, but I do think they are both - to a degree - offensive. Sort of how slurs against white people are offensive but not to the same degree as slurs against minorities are...But both are wrong, because you shouldn't slur anyone because of their racial identity.
I like the word cunt. XD (not as a slur, but as a reclaimed word to refer to my vagina)
I've always received 'profane language' differently because to me 'cunt' just means 'vagina'. One the one hand I can see the humor in insulting someone by comparing their face with genitalia (cuntface or dickface--pick one as you please), and on the other I know that we have a long history of negatively associating female connotations.
So while I personally don't think there's anything wrong with the word, I'm afraid that context overrides all other considerations.
I take it for granted that the word is harmless by itself, but that you can easily sort out those who use it in a sexist manner and those who do not. This is almost certainly naïve of me.
Though on second thought thinking someone's face looking like a human genital part is funny may be short-sighted of me; after all, what happens when we make first contact?
Above Vonheston reckons that the word is considered more socially acceptable in the UK. I wonder whether it's not actually seen as more offensive here because there's a greater chance that you will come across someone using it in an openly degrading and offensive way.
When words simply aren't used there comes a point where they simply appear quaint.
For example, the idea that "boy" is a racial slur in certain contexts is very hard to grasp here in the UK where our history played out a little differently.
Well, this is in Canada not the US, but there is a lot of diversity of opinion in this video and it might give you an idea of the North American view of the word. The Brits and the Aussie (i think she was Aussie?) in the vid seem to view it only as a very bad swear word, but you see there is more of an impression of it as a gendered-specific-insult amongst the North Americans:
In the UK, correct me if I am wrong, I see it as being something that is you called a man a 'cunt' it wouldn't sound strange. For example:
In the US, most people wouldn't use the word to refer to a guy, and i've never heard a guy refer to himself as a 'cunt' before. He might call himself a dick, a bastard, an asshole, etc, but not a cunt. Cunt is a slur used mainly here to refer to mean or otherwise 'nasty' women.
Context is everything. In the UK, it's a common and fairly mild insult. (Silly cunt.) In the Hew Hess Hay, them's fightin' words.
In America, "pussy" is a mild pejorative, although as Dan Savage's readers know, "scrotum" is a more descriptive word for someone who is weak, overly sensitive, and lacks volition.
And a observation: Americans say "vagina" when they mean "vulva." We don't even get the proper names right.
Well, I lived in Kempston, and certainly heard it in popular currency, though admittedly it was before you were born. My brother currently lives in South London - shall I check with him?
I think we are recognising, more often than in the past, the issues with certain offensive language. While the older generation will sigh at "political correctness", it is helping to promote a more liberal and polite society where offensive words like c*** aren't simply taken for granted as acceptable and "mild" insults.
Stewart Lee claims that back in the 70s (and I can barely believe this) the Tories had an election slogan "if you want a n***er for a neighbour, vote Labour". Things have most certainly changed.
I pretty much would have used this answer except I felt that it was too vague. What counts as "positive" usage of the word "c***"? I think I'd need more specific examples before I was prepared to except them as valid "positive uses". After all, it's not just a matter of what is said but the context in which it is said, including, to some extent, the audience for whom it is intended.
I was thinking about it a little bit more-- and I think that ANY word would hurt if used negatively. (duh) I have never been called a cunt, but I have been called a bitch, and man, it really hurt. so, at least for me, the word "bitch" is much more disparaging than the c word. i don't gasp any louder when someone calls someone a cunt vs. a bitch. and I don't think I have ever heard anyone call anyone a twat. it doesn't seem offensive at all, imo anyway.
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To say that 'cunt' is inherently wrong is to imply that there is something inherently wrong with my genitalia. What else should I call it? My vag? Being sensitive to the feelings of others does not mean eliminating all slang terms for the vagina and never referring to it as a twat, muffin, pussy, or cunt in informal, private dialogue, literature, or art. I am all for women reclaiming the word cunt for personal use to refer in a loving and/or empowering way to vaginas.
However, I do think it is offensive to call someone a cunt as a slur. When used on a man it has the implication that to be associated with being like a vagina should offend them/the vagina is offensive (same reasoning as above), and to call it to a woman has both this connotation and the effect of demeaning her by equating her entire being with her vagina ( ... )
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I haven't ever seen/ heard of men getting really angry about women using the word "dick" the way that some men use "cunt"... whereas, women hate the c word.
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However, if you examine why it is wrong to call people cunts, I think it also applies to calling people dicks. That is not to say that they are equally offensive in all areas of the world nor to imply that cunt is not a more offensive word most of the time, but I do think they are both - to a degree - offensive. Sort of how slurs against white people are offensive but not to the same degree as slurs against minorities are...But both are wrong, because you shouldn't slur anyone because of their racial identity.
I like the word cunt. XD (not as a slur, but as a reclaimed word to refer to my vagina)
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To be honest a "twat" to me is an "idiot." I have never really thought of it's other use. For some reason it's not quite so offensive.
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So while I personally don't think there's anything wrong with the word, I'm afraid that context overrides all other considerations.
I take it for granted that the word is harmless by itself, but that you can easily sort out those who use it in a sexist manner and those who do not. This is almost certainly naïve of me.
Though on second thought thinking someone's face looking like a human genital part is funny may be short-sighted of me; after all, what happens when we make first contact?
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When words simply aren't used there comes a point where they simply appear quaint.
For example, the idea that "boy" is a racial slur in certain contexts is very hard to grasp here in the UK where our history played out a little differently.
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In the UK, correct me if I am wrong, I see it as being something that is you called a man a 'cunt' it wouldn't sound strange. For example:
In the US, most people wouldn't use the word to refer to a guy, and i've never heard a guy refer to himself as a 'cunt' before. He might call himself a dick, a bastard, an asshole, etc, but not a cunt. Cunt is a slur used mainly here to refer to mean or otherwise 'nasty' women.
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In America, "pussy" is a mild pejorative, although as Dan Savage's readers know, "scrotum" is a more descriptive word for someone who is weak, overly sensitive, and lacks volition.
And a observation: Americans say "vagina" when they mean "vulva." We don't even get the proper names right.
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What area of the UK is that? :s *scratches head*
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Stewart Lee claims that back in the 70s (and I can barely believe this) the Tories had an election slogan "if you want a n***er for a neighbour, vote Labour". Things have most certainly changed.
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I pretty much would have used this answer except I felt that it was too vague. What counts as "positive" usage of the word "c***"? I think I'd need more specific examples before I was prepared to except them as valid "positive uses". After all, it's not just a matter of what is said but the context in which it is said, including, to some extent, the audience for whom it is intended.
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as far as I can tell, the book is geared toward straight women.
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You've got to admit though, that the taboo nature of the word is probably part of the appeal there. Do they use the f-word there too by any chance?
But yeah, I asked for an example of positive usage and you provided one. Good work. :)
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I was thinking about it a little bit more-- and I think that ANY word would hurt if used negatively. (duh) I have never been called a cunt, but I have been called a bitch, and man, it really hurt. so, at least for me, the word "bitch" is much more disparaging than the c word. i don't gasp any louder when someone calls someone a cunt vs. a bitch. and I don't think I have ever heard anyone call anyone a twat. it doesn't seem offensive at all, imo anyway.
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