# God What a..... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844 "2003-03-12T16:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/1 "2003-03-12T16:07:35Z")
I’ve been doing some thinking about word usage and it seems to me that there may be a difference between how men and women use the term “bitch”. It seems to be a bit harsher when a man uses it then a woman…is this accurate, or is it just a perception. How do you use the term? Is it offensive to you. Please discuss among yourselves. It seems that among the straight men I know that it is used as a slightly more polite alternative to C\*\*t, with many of the same inflections and meanings(I can’t really speak for gay men, but it does seem to have a different usage with them) …while women tend to soften the term. Just curious…Keith ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/2 "2003-03-12T16:18:31Z")
In Ireland, for ladies, people use the word “wagon”. I know nothing about its etymology, but it’s derogatory without being as bad as bitch. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/3 "2003-03-12T16:20:25Z")
I’ve just re-read the OP and realised I was utterly off-topic. Just ignore me. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/4 "2003-03-12T16:21:14Z")
“God, what a wagon” or “I like the way that bitch’s rear is wagon”? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/5 "2003-03-12T17:26:16Z")
Again with the butt-oriented comments, Lieu?😉 But, back to the OP. I have female acquaintances who use “bitch” and “girlfriend” interchangeably. But usually when I hear a guy use it, he’s saying that a woman is a nasty, surly, unpleasant hag. I don’t know why there’s such a difference in how it comes off, but there always seems to be a bit more venom when guys say it. ---
**Author:** ![Gulo\_gulo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/6 "2003-03-12T22:59:05Z")
Maybe it’s because I hang around with a lot of outspoken women, but I don’t consider “bitch” an insult. When I get called “bitch” by someone trying to get under my skin, I find it laughable. It usually means that I had the nerve to speak my mind or stand up for myself and/or my beliefs and that is the only retort they can come up with. Male or female, it doesn’t matter. I do think that men use it more as an insult then women do, but personally it has no effect on me. But, as usual, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/7 "2003-03-13T05:22:06Z")
For some reason, in my town, “bitch” is a gender-neutral term, applied to males and females alike. It’s not unusual to hear, “God, he’s such a bitch!” Around here, “bitch” is a word which means a “bad thing” rather than its more traditional usage, such as in “Cleaning the house is a bitch!” or “That computer is a bitch to use.” ---
**Author:** ![plain\_jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@plain\_jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plain_jane)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/8 "2003-03-13T05:30:08Z")
I have a love/hate relationship with the word “bitch”. I do bridle at its usage as an insult, but my reaction is stronger when a man uses it as a put-down. On the other hand, when a man calls me a bitch, I figure it says something about him and it’s generally when I’m behaving in an assertive manner that I get called that. Also, I’ve noticed men only call other men bitches when they mean to say a man is like a woman or in a lesser position. That’s why men saying it bothers me more. Most women I know say “bitch” in an abstract way–sometimes, it’s more an expression of envy than contempt. (ie, “skinny bitch.”) “Bitch” used in a joking manner is fine by me. To my knowledge, I’ve never had a woman call me a bitch and mean it as an insult, but I’ve had plenty of men call me a bitch for many reasons (like turning down a stranger’s random offer for sex, arguing with a boyfriend, or refusing to break the rules for a customer). ---
**Author:** ![Ender\_Will](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Ender\_Will](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ender_Will)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/9 "2003-03-13T09:02:09Z")
At least among my friends, all straight males, “bitch” is used far more as a verb or generic insult than one specific to women, but women are more likely to be refered to as a bitch, though I can’t recall a single occasion of actually calling a woman a bitch to her face. Lemme try and clarify a little here… VERB- “Quit bitching” GENERIC INSULT- someone (Party A) does something someone else (Party B) doesn’t like. Party B calls Party A a “BITCH!” GENERIC INSULT APPLIED TO A WOMAN- Driving through a parking lot, someone (who happens to be female) is in the way. “Get out the way bitch!” This is said with the windows up, at a low enough volume nobody outside the car hears. Now that I’m thinking about it, if a man does something to piss us off, he’s an “asshole.” A woman does the same thing, she’s a “bitch” But bitch can be applied to men, it’s probably more (supposed to be, anywhay) insulting. In the OP, the term c\*\*t was mentioned. I for one will NOT call _anyone_ this, even jokingly. Actually, I can’t recall ever having said the word. Don’t know why I find it so mind-bogglingly offensive, as I curse wildly during normal conversation. I have actually offended and shocked sailors…true fact ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-what-a/160844/10 "2003-03-13T20:26:52Z")
My experience and usage: When used as to a woman, it means she’s a nag, inconsiderate, or has unreasonable expectations. (E.g., "bitch on wheels) It’s a rather mild epithet, and can be used jokingly. When used as to a man, it means he’s a sissy and/or a whiner, i.e., that he’s being a “woman.” It is rather stronger when used as to a man than as to a woman, but it is also much more likely to be used in jest. –Cliffy