# Hey Tomndebb, grow a pair already **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 8, 2009, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075 "2009-06-08T06:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/41 "2009-06-11T03:05:26Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > Generally, the rule on thread titles got relaxed a while back. The language rules regarding posts remain in place. > > [Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507985) > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11221820&postcount=171](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11221820&postcount=171) > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11099744&postcount=5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11099744&postcount=5) > > **Gfactor** > Pit Moderator Why is “cunt” automatically disallowed, while other vulgar terms like “prick” are subject to the “occasional use only rule”? ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/42 "2009-06-11T03:27:58Z")
These expressions were thought to be especially offensive. The choice was necessarily somewhat arbitrary. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/43 "2009-06-11T03:35:01Z")
Wow…I actually agree with **Carol Stream**. Help me…I feel dizzy. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/44 "2009-06-11T04:35:41Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wow…I actually agree with **Carol Stream**. Help me…I feel dizzy. One would think with the dozens of times that you’ve made that exact same joke you’d be used to it by now. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/45 "2009-06-11T05:33:12Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > These expressions were thought to be especially offensive. By whom? Refresh my memory. > [@](#): > > The choice was necessarily somewhat arbitrary. No shit. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/46 "2009-06-11T09:43:03Z")
Is there any point in rehashing this yet again? Ed is the boss and he has decided that certain words are verboten. End of story. You can accept that or you can move on. Pretty simple. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/47 "2009-06-11T20:30:25Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > I’m glad that you reposted the rule. It is actually different from what I remembered. Most of the time I don’t have a problem with refraining from directing those expressions at other posters. There are exceptions for the truly vile, but those folks are _usually_ drive-bys anyway. But I do need to curse at random sometimes. Like during the Iron Bowl. “\* Fuck Alabama!\* War Eagle!” etc. Just to emphasize, you can use any terms you’d like against non-posters, such as Alabama\* or Dick Cheney or Chyrsler or… There are terms you can’t use against posters. As to why “cunt” is not acceptable but “prick” is, luck of the draw. I think probably that “cunt” is more demeaning than “prick.” Being a prick has a certainly amount of je ne sais quoi to it. - Roll, Tide! ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/48 "2009-06-11T22:51:05Z")
I misread that at first, not seeing the ‘non’ in ‘non-posters’ and thought you were encouraging calling people a Dick Cheney… It puzzled me, then I thought it was appropriate. You farging Chrysler! ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/49 "2009-06-12T23:26:37Z")
I didn’t take Dex’s criticism personally since I was relying on someone else’s quote and since I agree with the seriousness of carelessly misquoting. And I forgot to thank him for the correction on your name. (Thanks, Dex!) I do think that I remember talking with you, DSeid, years ago in a thread about the difference in talking with mothers and with fathers on the phone when there is a little child care health problem at home. The mystery is solved! Pediatricians are another group that are up there with the angels! ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/50 "2009-06-13T00:09:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Q: Why is “cunt” automatically disallowed, while other vulgar terms like “prick” are subject to the “occasional use only rule”? > A: These expressions were thought to be especially offensive. > Q: By whom? Refresh my memory. A: Merriam-Webster, for one. [cunt](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cunt): _usually disparaging & obscene_ : woman [prick](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prick): _usually vulgar_ : a spiteful or contemptible man often having some authority IMHO “disparaging and obscene” would be worse than “vulgar”. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/51 "2009-06-13T02:57:01Z")
Why is it that woman parts are somehow more vulgar than those of a man? ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/52 "2009-06-13T07:02:30Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > A: Merriam-Webster, for one. > [cunt](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cunt): _usually disparaging & obscene_ : woman > [prick](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prick): _usually vulgar_ : a spiteful or contemptible man often having some authority > > IMHO “disparaging and obscene” would be worse than “vulgar”. hmm.. ok, but can anyone explain to me why “motherfucker” isn’t verboten? I mean c’mon! This is about as disgusting a compound word as there is. A child (assume son) is having sex with his MOTHER. Man, that is just wrong. Not to mention that he’s assumed to be plowing his “prick” into her “c\*nt”… no wait, I can’t say that… into her asshole. :dubious: Words offend only if you give them the power to offend. But if the above isn’t offensive, how can a word like cunt be? Didn’t Shakespeare use the word in The Twelfth Night? Ah, no worries. We had this discussion. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/53 "2009-06-13T12:40:27Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > … > Words offend only if you give them the power to offend. But if the above isn’t offensive, how can a word like cunt be? Didn’t Shakespeare use the word in The Twelfth Night? [Not exactly.](http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Cunt/) > [@](#): > > Although Shakespeare doesn’t use the word explicitly (or with derogatory meaning) in his plays, he still has fun with it, using word play to sneak it in. In Act III, Scene 2, of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, as the castle’s residents are settling in to watch the play-within-the-play, Hamlet asks Ophelia, “Lady, shall I lie in your lap?” Ophelia of course, replies,“No, my lord.” Hamlet, feigning shock, says, “Do you think I meant country matters?” Then, to drive home the point that the accent is definitely on the first syllable of “country,” Shakespeare has Hamlet say, “That’s a fair thought, to lie between maids’ legs.”… > > … Also see Twelfth Night (Act II Scene V) “there be her very C’s, her U’s, and her T’s: and thus makes she her great P’s.” His audience wasn’t always so highbrow and a good implied dirty joke getting past the censors was always a bit o fun. And he understood the difference between calling someone a cunt and merely dancing around insinuating it mattered. The latter was more fun, potentially even clever, and was within the rules. Even if the queen wasn’t always so happy about it. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/54 "2009-06-13T13:09:30Z")
I’ve seen posters violate the rules since they changed and use some of these words against me – more than one person and in more than one thread. It didn’t bother me and I didn’t report it. Their words have nothing to do with who I am or what happens to me. If I were a child or particularly vulnerable, that might be a different matter. Or if I were part of an oppressed group and someone was spewing hate speech, that would give me pause. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/55 "2009-06-13T14:22:14Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Not to mention that he’s assumed to be plowing his “prick” into her “c\*nt”… no wait, I can’t say that… into her asshole. I’m surprised that so many people fail to understand the rule. You can use the word cunt in a sentence like you just did. You cannot use it to insult another poster. You can relax now. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/56 "2009-06-14T02:45:45Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > I’m surprised that so many people fail to understand the rule. You can use the word cunt in a sentence like you just did. You cannot use it to insult another poster. You can relax now. Really? Thank you, **Arnold**! Seriously, I thought typing cunt was against the rules of the board. So it’s usage _directed at another poster_ that’s the only restriction. That makes my stay much more pleasurable on the board. I learn something new everyday out here. Ain’t life a motherfucker!? SFP Who never typed “cunt” on these boards before all the brew-ha-ha. Now, watch this thread die. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/57 "2009-06-14T05:47:42Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > hmm.. ok, but can anyone explain to me why “motherfucker” isn’t verboten? I mean c’mon! This is about as disgusting a compound word as there is. A child (assume son) is having sex with his MOTHER. Man, that is just wrong. Not to mention that he’s assumed to be plowing his “prick” into her “c\*nt”… no wait, I can’t say that… into her asshole. :dubious: > > Words offend only if you give them the power to offend. But if the above isn’t offensive, how can a word like cunt be? Didn’t Shakespeare use the word in The Twelfth Night? > > Ah, no worries. We had this discussion. Their literal meanings are irrelevant. Cunt is generally acknowledged to be the most forceful term of abuse in the English language. Motherfucker is mild by comparison. The monosyllabic abruptness adds to its power, something shared with fuck of course but that term has lost much of its shock value due to constant overuse. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/58 "2009-06-14T06:41:05Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > … Cunt is generally acknowledged to be the most forceful term of abuse in the English language. … Really? Honestly I had never thought so and still do not. Pretty damn mild to me. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/59 "2009-06-14T07:05:51Z")
A poll on the question is now in IMHO [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=521043) for anyone interested. As noted there, please keep discussion on the rule itself out of that thread. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075/60 "2009-06-14T07:48:27Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Really? > > Honestly I had never thought so and still do not. Pretty damn mild to me. Generally acknowledged I said. I’m interested though, which one word swear term do you consider more forceful? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-tomndebb-grow-a-pair-already/499075.md?page=4)