# Is "Dyke" derogatory? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 18, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108 "2011-08-18T02:53:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bosstrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Bosstrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstrain)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/21 "2011-08-18T17:37:43Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I’m surprised there’s been no “Dick Van” reference yet. > > The only Dick that a Dyke could like–Forbidden Hollywood There was, one comedian was sitting between two friends, who were also comedians, one male the other female, and he said: “Well, I must be Van” they asked “why” he answered “because I’m sitting between a Dick and a Dyke.” The way he pulled it off was so natural it tickled me all over, I don’t think it was planned, cause it caught both of them so off guard I thought he’d have to do the rest of the show by himself. I cannot remember for the life of me who was on stage, but I will never forget that moment, it was instantly classic. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/22 "2011-08-18T17:48:40Z")
If in doubt, use another word. Courtesy costs you nothing. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![grama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@grama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grama)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/23 "2011-08-18T18:11:08Z")
I’ve always been amuzed by your notions of “forbidden” words and being politically correct. Here in Chile ( at least in my experience) it’s almost always about intention, and almost never about words per se. I don’t mind anyone calling be a faggot (or it’s spanish equivalent), it’s the spirit in which it is said that would matter to me. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/24 "2011-08-18T18:17:21Z")
> [@grama](#): > > I’ve always been amuzed by your notions of “forbidden” words and being politically correct. Here in Chile ( at least in my experience) it’s almost always about intention, and almost never about words per se. I don’t mind anyone calling be a faggot (or it’s spanish equivalent), it’s the spirit in which it is said that would matter to me. Dyke is a word that’s known to be offensive, and that’s usually why people choose to use it. The taboo nature of the word and the intentions of the speaker are connected. Unless words in Spanish are completely meaningless, only acquiring meaning each time they’re spoken, that’s the way it’ll work in Spanish too. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/25 "2011-08-18T18:25:03Z")
> [@ryan](#): > > Yeah, generally. lesbians (gays in general?) can use it, much as a blacks can use “nigger”, but for those not within the group in question it is offensive. This is my take on it too. In Toronto when they have their annual “Pride Parade” they also have a “Dyke March.” I, as a straight white female, was all, “OMG you can’t use that word!” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![grama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@grama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grama)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/26 "2011-08-19T20:57:01Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Dyke is a word that’s known to be offensive, and that’s usually why people choose to use it. The taboo nature of the word and the intentions of the speaker are connected. Unless words in Spanish are completely meaningless, only acquiring meaning each time they’re spoken, that’s the way it’ll work in Spanish too. I get what you are saying, and sure, there are a lot of words that are objectively cataloged as insults, and that’s their only meaning, BUT, in most cases, almost with no exceptions, they can and **will** be used (in a friendly way) on anybody by anybody **all the time**. And my amusement is more about culture than it is about language, Argentinians for example “insult” each other way more often and way more strongly than we do 😉 ---
**Author:** ![grama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@grama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grama)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/27 "2011-08-19T21:03:32Z")
missed the edit windows: I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s always about context, to the question “is X word derogatory?” I will always answer “it depends”, 'cause in my opinion, no word and every word is derogatory, it all depends in who says it to whom, why, how, in which context, with which intention, etc… ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/28 "2011-08-19T21:23:47Z")
> [@grama](#): > > I get what you are saying, and sure, there are a lot of words that are objectively cataloged as insults, and that’s their only meaning, BUT, in most cases, almost with no exceptions, they can and **will** be used (in a friendly way) on anybody by anybody **all the time**. > > And my amusement is more about culture than it is about language, Argentinians for example “insult” each other way more often and way more strongly than we do 😉 People insulting their friends in English too - it’s kinda one of the signs that you’re good friends. But that doesn’t mean those words aren’t usually insults. ‘Dyke’ is a word that straight men and women can hardly ever use in a friendly insulting way because it’s just too loaded. Saying that it depends is a cop-out answer when you know full well that the word is used as an insult in majority of contexts. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/29 "2011-08-19T21:32:07Z")
Agree with **BigT** – I can use it with a friend of the muff-diving persuasion, if I’m friends with her, but otherwise, no way. Think about the big dyke ass-kicking you’d get if you mentioned it in reference to a woman you only knew casually or her friends or jokingly to a random man in front of her. Then you’ll know what a woman’s pain is. Cause they’re all big and strong, of course! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/30 "2011-08-19T22:23:33Z")
> [@grama](#): > > I’ve always been amuzed by your notions of “forbidden” words and being politically correct. Here in Chile ( at least in my experience) it’s almost always about intention, and almost never about words per se. I don’t mind anyone calling be a faggot (or it’s spanish equivalent), it’s the spirit in which it is said that would matter to me. This is, in fact, exactly how it works in English. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/31 "2011-08-19T22:37:48Z")
I often refer to myself as one in a reclaiming sort of fashion, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![YaraMateo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/58f4c7/32.png) [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/32 "2011-08-20T18:37:18Z")
I have to say I LOVE how everyone bitching about this isn’t lesbian. The lone lesbian (to answer so far) doesn’t have a problem with this. P.S. I know I started this thread was made because of a post I made. So, OP thanks for being an passive aggressive douche bag about it. ---
**Author:** ![YaraMateo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/58f4c7/32.png) [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/33 "2011-08-20T18:38:19Z")
I don’t give a shit if I get in trouble or banned. I’m tired of the Dope being a place for butt hurt overly PC people. If I have to watch everyone word I use because someone MIGHT be offended, then I’d rather not be a member. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/34 "2011-08-20T19:00:46Z")
> [@Blake](#): > > Hence feminine lesbians become “lady dykes” and “baby dikes”. My understanding was that “baby dyke” referred specifically to newly out lesbians who get all caught up in the politics of it, with the implication that they are tiresome bores on the subject and who will be much better company once they calm down some. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/35 "2011-08-20T21:13:20Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > I have to say I LOVE how everyone bitching about this isn’t lesbian. The lone lesbian (to answer so far) doesn’t have a problem with this. > > P.S. I know I started this thread was made because of a post I made. So, OP thanks for being an passive aggressive douche bag about it. Take the personal insults to The BBQ Pit where they belong. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/36 "2011-08-20T21:26:21Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > I have to say I LOVE how everyone bitching about this isn’t lesbian. The lone lesbian (to answer so far) doesn’t have a problem with this. You seem to making some large assumptions about the genders and sexual orientations of the participants to this thread. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/37 "2011-08-20T21:33:32Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > I have to say I LOVE how everyone bitching about this isn’t lesbian. The lone lesbian (to answer so far) doesn’t have a problem with this. > > P.S. I know I started this thread was made because of a post I made. So, OP thanks for being an passive aggressive douche bag about it. Your magical lesbian-detecting senses are defective. I know what you mean about people who aren’t the minority getting defensive on others’ behalf, but really, when you _are_ a minority your voice is going to disappear into the ether if the majority don’t back you up. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/38 "2011-08-20T21:42:09Z")
**In my humble opinion** , it’s offensive. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/39 "2011-08-20T21:50:13Z")
Context, context, context… I have friends I can say things to like “Gawd, you’re such a bitch” or “Sometimes you can be a dumbass/flaming fag/weirdo/prick/dyke” or whatever. But they’re friends, or at least people I can say such things to in jest. However I am a straight person and never would I use terms like “dyke” or “fag” to describe someone unless for some reason I thought they’d be OK with it and there was a reason to use such a word. IMHO, it’s offensive as a descriptive term. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108/40 "2011-08-20T21:58:44Z")
I also don’t see anyone “bitching” about the word. “Dyke” is a derogatory term for a lesbian. That’s not a complaint, it’s a statement of fact. Fuck, it’s part of the word’s [dictionary definition.](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dyke) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dyke-derogatory/593108.md?page=3)