# Explain the use of the word "whore" in this context **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 2, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124 "2007-08-02T14:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/1 "2007-08-02T14:20:00Z")
Sometimes we hear the word “whore” in the context of someone trying to commandeer or obsessively attempt to obtain something. We sometimes call those people [“attention whores”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=8839272&postcount=11), “time whores”, or “food whores.” I have tried to construct a meaningful metaphor in my mind about this, but after considerable thought, I do not understand why the word “whore” should apply in this context. “To whore” means to sell one’s self or ideals in the process of attaining something else. In this context, no one is compromising themselves; the term is used to describe someone who is fixated on something. _Hoard[er]_ seems more appropriate. Any explanations? ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/2 "2007-08-02T14:24:50Z")
I guess that it means someone who would do anything to get their “thing”. An attention whore is not afraid of putting themselves out as long as they are talked about. Just as a whore would do anything as long as you pay. [/WAG] ---
**Author:** ![late664](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c89c15/32.png) [@late664](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/late664)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/3 "2007-08-02T14:29:59Z")
Nowadays, so many thing’s got multiple (and in many ways, incorrect) meanings. The word “whore”… can, and are often used as an alternative to “slut” as well, implying that a person has alot of sex, without shame or humiliation. This is when you apply the word “whore” to something like “attention whore” kinda makes more sense. Then maybe you are asking HOW that came about… but, then it’s like asking how “phat” is “cool”, or “ill” is “good”. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/4 "2007-08-02T14:30:38Z")
I’m not familiar with time whore or food whore. As I understand attention whore, it means a willingness to go through any and all kinds of degradation to gain attention. That lines up with the traditional money whores and dope whores, who are willing to stoop to commercial sex to get what they want. That’s my impression. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/5 "2007-08-02T15:14:49Z")
It may have started with “crack whore”, someone who will do anything to support their drug habit. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/6 "2007-08-02T15:18:15Z")
[QUOTE=AskNott] I’m not familiar with time whore or food whore. As I understand attention whore, it means a willingness to go through any and all kinds of degradation to gain attention. That lines up with the traditional money whores and dope whores, who are willing to stoop to commercial sex to get what they want. That’s my impression. [/QUOTE] I think this is the correct analogy. A “whore” in this sense is someone who will do anything whatever for some commodity they crave, whether money, crack, or attention. From Merriam-Webster: > [@](#): > > Main Entry: whore > Pronunciation: 'hor, 'hur > Function: noun > Etymology: Middle English hore, from Old English hOre; akin to Old Norse hOra whore, hOrr adulterer, Latin carus dear – more at CHARITY > 1 : a woman who engages in sexual acts for money : PROSTITUTE; also : a promiscuous or immoral woman > 2 : a male who engages in sexual acts for money > 3 : a venal or unscrupulous person Definition 3 is the one that is applicable here. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/7 "2007-08-02T15:39:46Z")
[QUOTE=mks57] It may have started with “crack whore”, someone who will do anything to support their drug habit. [/QUOTE] I don’t know if it makes much of a difference, but I always read “crack whore” as a women who made money as a whore and then used the money to buy crack. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/8 "2007-08-02T15:50:49Z")
I always read “crack whore” as a person who will have sex not in exchange for money but in exchange for crack. ---
**Author:** ![zelie\_zelerton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/59ef9b/32.png) [@zelie\_zelerton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zelie_zelerton)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/9 "2007-08-02T15:51:24Z")
[QUOTE=UncleRojelio] I don’t know if it makes much of a difference, but I always read “crack whore” as a women who made money as a whore and then used the money to buy crack. [/QUOTE] Aren’t you both saying the same thing? A woman who will do anything (i.e. act as a prostitute) to make money in order to sustain a drug habit. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/10 "2007-08-02T16:09:42Z")
[QUOTE=zelie zelerton] Aren’t you both saying the same thing? A woman who will do anything (i.e. act as a prostitute) to make money in order to sustain a drug habit. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but a blow job in exchange for crack is one thing, painting a house in exchange for crack is something I just can’t see. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/11 "2007-08-02T16:11:46Z")
[QUOTE=UncleRojelio] Yeah, but a blow job in exchange for crack is one thing, painting a house in exchange for crack is something I just can’t see. [/QUOTE] But that’s just good time management. Giving a blow job is a lot quicker than painting a house. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-use-of-the-word-whore-in-this-context/414124/12 "2007-08-02T16:13:33Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] Giving a blow job is a lot quicker than painting a house. [/QUOTE] Sez you.