# Cunt! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 25, 2002, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802 "2002-12-25T01:56:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/81 "2002-12-26T16:25:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by istara \* > \*\*I think this is grossly inaccurate and misrepresentative of **DDG’s** position. She has explicitly stated she is using various words here as part of an adult discussion. > > “a White woman throwing the “n” word around” suggests **DDG** is racist - or at best insensitive - which she is clearly not. \*\* **istara** , I don’t know what she clearly is, but it doesn’t matter, my statement is offered up so that it hopefully provoke some though on her part. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by catsix \* > **Nobody has yet answered how the word ‘cunt’ in and of itself is suggestive of that at all. Is anyone going to explain that?** _Pats foot on floor…_ Anybody? Somebody??? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/82 "2002-12-26T16:34:12Z")
> [@](#): > > istara, I don’t know what she clearly is You have made this is _overwhelmingly_ clear, to all of us. :rolleyes: You might go back to lurking for a while, get to know the people here a little better before you start spouting off egregiously stupid nonsense like I’m just a “white woman throwing the ‘n’ word around”, or that I’m a dullard with unexamined attitudes who needs to have her thought provoked on the subject of racism. Here’s a quarter, go buy yourself a clue. But, don’t buy any more assumptions, you’re already wayyyyy overstocked on those. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/83 "2002-12-26T16:51:09Z")
In a general sense, I find the word, “cunt” offensive. However, I did see the Vagina Monologues and thought the segment about “cunts” was hilarious. I don’t think it’s the word itself, but the way in which it’s used. But, if someone called me a “cunt” I’d be much more offended than if called a bitch or some other name. Not sure why, it just feels degrading. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/84 "2002-12-26T17:12:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duck Duck Goose \* > \*\*You have made this is _overwhelmingly_ clear, to all of us. :rolleyes: > > You might go back to lurking for a while, get to know the people here a little better before you start spouting off egregiously stupid nonsense like I’m just a “white woman throwing the ‘n’ word around”, or that I’m a dullard with unexamined attitudes who needs to have her thought provoked on the subject of racism. > > Here’s a quarter, go buy yourself a clue. But, don’t buy any more assumptions, you’re already wayyyyy overstocked on those. > > :rolleyes: \*\* Even if I knew you personally, **Duck Duck Goose** , which I don’t, I would call you out on it anyway. Call me names, roll your eyes, whatever… ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/85 "2002-12-26T19:10:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by catsix \* > \*\*Nobody yet has actually demonstrated that the word itself is what’s offensive or that it’s a ‘bad’ word. > \*\* And it’s no wonder, considering that this thread has been the subject of two, count 'em, two, continuing hijacks – your “but it doesn’t offend ME!” and **EasyPhil** ’s “but it isn’t as bad as some OTHER words!” If you keep trying to change the subject you should hardly be surprised that the OP hasn’t been answered to your satisfaction. > [@](#): > > \*\* > All that’s been heard from those who find it offensive so far is that ‘Well it just is. Because, um, it offends ME.’ \*\* Uh, yes. That’s why words are offensive. Because they offend people. A word that did not offend people would not be considered offensive. It’s pretty simple, really. The word isn’t offensive to _you_ because you don’t find it offensive, but it is _generally_ considered an offensive word because millions of women do. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Nobody has yet answered **how** the word ‘cunt’ in and of itself is suggestive of that at all. Is anyone going to explain that? \*\* It’s no wonder you’re confused. You seem to be under the impression that others find the word “in and of itself” offensive – as in, it is the combination of letters/sounds themselves, and not the meaning, connotation, or context that make a word offensive. I can see why that would be puzzling to you, since it is nonsensical, so it’s a good thing no one actually feels that way, isn’t it? The word “cunt” is suggestive of the idea “women are inferior” or at least “you are an inferior woman” because that is the way the word is used. You might as well ask why the word “red” is suggestive of something the color of this little guy :mad: . ---
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/86 "2002-12-26T19:15:39Z")
If **any** word offends you, you’re bringing your own baggage; if not, go to the next pit rant. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/87 "2002-12-26T19:41:41Z")
People have said that the word ‘cunt’ in and of itself is offensive. They’ve said that it is ‘much worse’ than being called a bitch and they don’t know why. Example: > [@](#): > > In a general sense, I find the word, “cunt” offensive. Someone saying that the word itself, in general, absent context at all is offensive. The ‘history’ has been brought up, but as of yet no specifics on what that history is or examples have been shown. I have asked twice now how the word ‘cunt’ is suggestive of " the idea “women are inferior” or at least “you are an inferior woman” because that is the way the word is used." since it is NOT always used as an insult. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/88 "2002-12-26T19:53:26Z")
And here I have to resort to quoting myself: > [@](#): > > CERTAIN words, backed by CERTAIN attitudes in CERTAIN context might offend CERTAIN people. How is that so hard to understand? Why is that some words are insulting and others not? Go figure, your guess is as good as mine. Words are like that, they have the silly tendency on taking on the meaning that people asign to them. It just happened that “cunt” is found offensive instead of the word “lady” for example. The wonders of language. Maybe you need someone much smarter than myself to explain you that **catsix**. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/89 "2002-12-26T20:08:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lamia \* > And it’s no wonder, considering that this thread has been the subject of two, count 'em, two, continuing hijacks – your “but it doesn’t offend ME!” and **EasyPhil** ’s “but it isn’t as bad as some OTHER words!” If you keep trying to change the subject you should hardly be surprised that the OP hasn’t been answered to your satisfaction. You must be a little light headed from orbiting the earth **Lamai** , my point, which you missed, is that it isn’t the same as the “n” word, contrary to what another poster asserted. An if you don’t believe that, try starting a thread here in the pit with just that word with an exclamation point and you’ll see what I mean. The OP hasn’t been answered because no one has an answer yet. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/90 "2002-12-26T20:27:14Z")
Not it isn’t the same as the word nigger, for two reasons: 1. Social convention apparently has it that it is less serious insulting a person for her/his skin tone than insulting him/her for his/her gender. If you start a thread with the title “Women are inferior” you’d be flamed, kicked, insulted, spit at but MOST PROBABLY not banned. Things would be different if you change “women” for your preferred ethnic group. Double standard? you bet. 2. You are not offended by the word cunt. Same for **catsix** (obviously for different reasons). Many posters, men and women have told you that they consider the world offensive. Why? because it has an offensive connotation. Does it sound convoluted? I am sure, the nuisances of language. What means one thing for some people doensn’t necessarily mean the same for others (fag in UK, fag in US). BTW, why do you find nigger offensive? Some blacks use it to refer to themselves or other blacks, therefore (following your line of thought) if SOME don’t find it offensive then it shouln’t be offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/91 "2002-12-26T20:28:33Z")
It should have been: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by **Mighty\_Girl** \* > > 1. Social convention apparently has it that it is **more** serious insulting a person for her/his skin tone than insulting him/her for his/her gender. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/92 "2002-12-26T20:36:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by catsix \* > \*\*Yes, **spooje** , on a daily basis. > > Pretty much like every other word that’s ever been used to describe genetalia of either gender. \*\* I’m curious… when you hear the word used, is the user referring to the whole person (or the personality of that person), or just to a person’s genitalia? ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/93 "2002-12-26T20:40:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mighty\_Girl \* > \*\*Not it isn’t the same as the word “n”, for two reasons: > > 1. Social convention apparently has it that it is less serious insulting a person for her/his skin tone than insulting him/her for his/her gender. If you start a thread with the title “Women are inferior” you’d be flamed, kicked, insulted, spit at but MOST PROBABLY not banned. Things would be different if you change “women” for your preferred ethnic group. Double standard? you bet. > > 2. You are not offended by the word cunt. Same for **catsix** (obviously for different reasons). Many posters, men and women have told you that they consider the world offensive. Why? because it has an offensive connotation. Does it sound convoluted? I am sure, the nuisances of language. What means one thing for some people doensn’t necessarily mean the same for others (fag in UK, fag in US). > > BTW, why do you find “n” offensive? Some blacks use it to refer to themselves or other blacks, therefore (following your line of thought) if SOME don’t find it offensive then it shouln’t be offensive. \*\* Since the “n” word is a word that was used to denigrate my ancestors that were brought here as slaves and also used to denigrate their descendents who were also slaves until of course slaverly stopped being legal in this country(unless you’re duly convicted of a crime), I find it to be a term that I don’t need to use to refer to anyone, because it embodies the history of the treatment of people of african descent that were brought to this country and their descendants. Whites shouted this word with glee as they watched the lynching, burning and castration of Black men. I’m sure you get my point. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/94 "2002-12-26T20:44:21Z")
From [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) > [@](#): > > cunt > n. Vulgar Slang > The female genital organs. > Sexual intercourse with a woman. > > _Offensive_. Used as a **disparaging term** for a woman. > Used as a disparaging term for a person one dislikes or finds extremely disagreeable. (bolding mine) I am sure you get my point. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/95 "2002-12-26T20:46:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by catsix \* > \*\* > I have asked twice now how the word ‘cunt’ is suggestive of " the idea “women are inferior” or at least “you are an inferior woman” because that is the way the word is used." since it is NOT always used as an insult. \*\* But it almost always is. It is certainly used as an insult far more frequently than words that might otherwise be considered roughly equivelant terms. I said that myself in my very first post in this thread. If the word “cunt” were never used as an insult, or rarely used as an insult, or used as an insult no more often than in a positive or neutral way, then things would be different. Perhaps this is the case in whatever social circles you travel in, so you and your aquaintances don’t perceive the word as an insult. Fine. That’s lovely for all of you, but you must realize that this is not a common state of affairs and that most English-speaking women are not in your situation. The OP, I remind you once more, is about why “cunt” is generally perceived to be a very serious insult. The answer is, because that is the way the word is most commonly used. As you have reminded us ad nauseum there are exceptions to this, but they are unusual – so unusual that many women have _never_ heard the word “cunt” spoken as anything _but_ a dire insult. I’d like to emphasize the phrase “many women” here, and remind you that “many women” does not mean “ **catsix** ” or even “all the women **catsix** ” knows. This isn’t about _you_, a concept you have apparently had great difficulty grasping both here and in every other thread I’ve ever noticed you participating in. Everything is not about you, and your personal views are not always relevant. This thread, for example, began with a question about women _in general_, and _in general_ English-speaking women consider the word “cunt” to be extremely offensive. You are free to think that it is a great word. You are free to think that “red” means “blue” for all I care. But if you have any desire to communicate with other people then you must recognize that words have commonly accepted meanings and connotations, and that the ones associated with “cunt” are primarily negative. This has not always been true and it may not be true in the future, but it is true right now, whether you like it or not. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EasyPhil \* > \*\* > You must be a little light headed from orbiting the earth Lamai, my point, which you missed, is that it isn’t the same as the “n” word, contrary to what another poster asserted. \*\* And my point, which you missed (along with the proper spelling of my name), is that your discussion of this matter is a hijack. Continue to discuss it if you like; it’s no crime to distract people from the original topic or to change the subject. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/96 "2002-12-26T20:47:10Z")
**Ethilrist** : Depends on context. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/97 "2002-12-26T20:59:57Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by **Ethilrist** _ > > I’m curious… when you hear the word used, is the user referring to the whole person (or the personality of that person), or just to a person’s genitalia? > > \*Originally posted by **catsix** > \*Depends on context. So, **catsix** , when referring to the personnality of said person, was it meant as a compliment? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/98 "2002-12-26T21:13:29Z")
**catsix:** Do you hear the word ‘cunt’ used to refer to people on a daily basis? If so, does your previous statement mean that you have never heard it used in a negative way? ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/99 "2002-12-26T21:35:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EasyPhil \* > \*\*How old are you **Blalron**? \*\* I turned 18 a few months ago. Perhaps I just haven’t rented enough movies yet. How old are you, old man? What era are you talking about? I’ve seen 70’s and 80’s porno flicks and even then “cunt” wasn’t really used at all. Maybe you live in a different country. I could imagine that cunt might be used much more in England or Australia or Canada than in the states, maybe that makes a difference. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802/100 "2002-12-26T22:07:10Z")
> [@](#): > > **Mighty\_Girl** asked: > So, catsix, when referring to the personnality of said person, was it meant as a compliment? Again it depends on the context. If one of the people in my circle of friends said ‘Damn Six, you’re bein a cunt today,’ then they’re kidding around and it isn’t a big deal. If someone calls me a cunt because I grabbed the last box of doughnut holes at the grocery store, then they’re probably a cunt themselves and it’s of no consequence. > [@](#): > > and **Ethilrist** asked: > catsix: Do you hear the word ‘cunt’ used to refer to people on a daily basis? If so, does your previous statement mean that you have never heard it used in a negative way? Among my friends? Sure, we call each other that all the time when we’re joking around. And yes, I’ve heard it in a negative way as I’ve heard other words such as ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’ used in a negative way. Course we’ve also used ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’ when just joking around, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cunt/144802.md?page=6)