# Most forceful term of abuse in the English language? Warning: bad words. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 14, 2009, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718 "2009-06-14T07:03:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/21 "2009-06-14T15:56:52Z")
My students (mostly black) call each other “nigger” as a term of endearment or just a general epithet. Cunt is an offensive word still here in the UK; it’s not used much on television and would never be printed in the paper. I wouldn’t use it around any child, to my parents or to people I knew were easily offended. However with my friends and partner, we use it freely, including to refer to each other in a lighthearted way, as well as to refer to people who actually are cunts. This is similar to most other foul language. It is IME more frequently used to talk about a man than a woman here. I know of no feminist (and I do know a fair few) who finds it more offensive than any other word purely on the basis of it also referring to a part of the female body. I’m not sure I could come up with a single word which was the most offensive; it depends on intent and context. If my partner calls me a silly cunt, I know it’s said with love. If one of my students calls me a silly cunt, they’ll be suspended from school. Female. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/22 "2009-06-14T16:40:32Z")
Definitely “cunt” and “nigger.” With “cunt,” it somewhat depends on the audience and target. “Cunt” as used by British English speakers (seemed especially prevalent in Scotland) directed towards men didn’t really register at all on my offense meter (it can even be used as a sort-of jocular term of affection), but in an American context directed at a woman, it’s pretty much as bad as you can get. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/23 "2009-06-14T17:00:22Z")
Unclefucker. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/24 "2009-06-14T17:09:10Z")
What’s the difference between a clever pygmy and a female jogger? Well, the clever pygmy is a cunning runt. Sorry, just couldn’t resist. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/25 "2009-06-14T17:10:24Z")
Whenever a girl says, “You’re a fucking asshole” to me I always say, “You’re a cunt. We’re neighbors!” No matter what she thinks of me, she’ll chuckle later. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/26 "2009-06-14T19:03:52Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I remember a few years ago someone on these boards (Askia, maybe?) made the suggestion that the most offensive thing you could call a white American was “racist.” It’s an interesting idea: other than “pedophile,” I have a hard time thinking of a term I’d be more insulted by. I’m pretty sure that it was me who said this, although it’s entirely possible that the late Askia also said it at a different time. I think if I recall correctly, what I said was that “racist” is today what “communist” was during the McCarthy years - a bombshell that can destroy someone’s career and reputation. Not so much that it’s offensive, as if the word cuts viscerally to the core of someone’s feelings, as that it is an accusation similar to that of “heretic” during the Inquisition. [QUOTE=Hyperelastic] The best contemporary definition of racism I’ve heard is “Someone who is winning an argument with a liberal.” [/QUOTE] It was Peter Brimelow who said that, I think. ---
**Author:** ![alexandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@alexandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alexandra)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/27 "2009-06-14T19:16:07Z")
Nigger is far more offensive. I also can’t really get past someone saying something like Paki, or faggot, etc. I can get past someone saying cunt because I’ve said it myself. Female, British. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/28 "2009-06-14T19:44:08Z")
I’ve never really understood why “cunt” should be considered any more insulting that “asshole” or “dick/prick”…(U.S. female here). It’s a body part, and a rather nice one at that 😃 (I sometimes write erotica and use the term frequently, and it is used among lovers in an erotic, affectionate manner all the time) I consider myself a “feminist” (more of a “humanist”, but definately a supporter of equal rights and respect regardless of sex) and the logic of women allowing the word “cunt” to offend them or be widely considered a horrible sexist slur has always eluded me; if any response other than mild bemusement is required, how about a reclaiming of the term as the descriptive, positive word it once was and should be? (sort of in the way I think Blacks have reclaimed “nigger” and the way Gays have reclaimed “queer” and “faggot”, althought in neither case has it yet become acceptable for OTHERS to use those terms towards Blacks or Gays, but maybe it should…why should those words have any more power than any other? Why not take it as a compliment, even if that is not the intention? Make the “assholes” trying to use those words as weapons find a new word to hurl;) Why should we allow a term for our genitalia to have power as a SLUR? I am personally PROUD of my “cunt”, and see nothing whatsoever wrong with it as a body part, so WHY should I be offended to be called one? There is some debate over the origin and history of the word itself, but most agree it is a very old word and was originally simply an anatomical term. One linguist I once read stated that it was, in fact, the root of the word “country” (which makes a sort of sense, seeing as how a “people”, people in general, literally come from that particular part of the human anatomy. :dubious:) I think there are many far more offensive terms out there, but I think it is highly subjective which is most offensive, depending on who is saying it to whom and the context. (“nigger” or “cunt” or “bitch” or “dick” or “asshole” can be a term of endearment OR a violent attack, depending…once saw an interview with Keith Richards and Johnny Depp in which Richards referred to Depp as an “asshole” and Depp laughingly agreed. And among friends, any such term can be used in jest without offending anyone; “Hey, bitch, what are you up to tonight?” :)) I agree that I would be far more offended if someone called me a “racist” or a “pedophile” or a “slob” or some other attack relating to my actual behavior or habits. But then I outgrew the use of and sting of name-calling by about 12 or so. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/29 "2009-06-14T20:45:16Z")
[Depends if you live in the US or not.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508876) ---
**Author:** ![gustp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gustp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gustp)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/30 "2009-06-15T00:04:10Z")
In different societies there are of course different sensibilities. I was brought up in Toronto the good in the 50’s. It was a bastion of the WASP culture. There were a lot of Orangemen in Toronto and the term they used for Roman Catholics was very offensive . Mik or Miks in the plural. The reason it was so offensive was that labeling someone as a Mik ment that he was somehow less of a human being and beneath contempt in anything he might say or do. We used very few racial slurs in Toronto at that time but MIK was common. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/31 "2009-06-15T00:28:33Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Where do females stand on the word “twat”? As in “You are such a goddamn twat!” as an insult? I think it’s a [pretty great church](http://www.twatchurch.co.cc/). ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/32 "2009-06-15T00:29:43Z")
I can see why some get offended by the word “cunt.” It’s not the word but the meaning behind it. Like the girl being called a “cunt” is nothing more than her “cunt.” However, I think the worse thing you can call a guy is a “bitch.” This may seem stupid, but to insult another guys “manliness” (can’t think of another word) is pretty judgemental and insulting and no one wants that. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/33 "2009-06-15T00:39:09Z")
> [@Scotty Mo](#): > > I can see why some get offended by the word “cunt.” It’s not the word but the meaning behind it. Like the girl being called a “cunt” is nothing more than her “cunt.” > > However, I think the worse thing you can call a guy is a “bitch.” This may seem stupid, but to insult another guys “manliness” (can’t think of another word) is pretty judgemental and insulting and no one wants that. Of course this, too, has degrees. “Stop being such a little bitch” is pretty bad when used on a guy, “who’s the man now, bitch!?” Is a lot more of a lighthearted taunt. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/34 "2009-06-15T18:31:43Z")
Racial epithets are the most difficult to accept. Black Bastard, or Fucking Black Bastard, Fucking Pakki Bastard, there is no endearing way to say these things, the intent is always abuse. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/35 "2009-06-15T18:57:09Z")
White American female here… “Cunt” doesn’t bother me. It’s way vulgar, and it’s not a word I use very often at all. In fact, I would only use, to myself, about a stranger who is particularly dumb, like a traffic issue. I would never say it out loud to them. I am more offended by terms like “the old lady” and “the ball and chain” for some reason. I guess vulgarity doesn’t bother me as much as plain old sexism. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/36 "2009-06-15T19:33:33Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And _may_ very well join the hate speech pantheon in that context. Does that seem right? Yep. Like nigger and faggot, it’s not so much that you’re a certain type of woman (or black person, or gay person), it’s that there’s something shameful and negative in being a woman (or black, or gay) and having a vagina/cunt at all. That being said, I agree that it’s all about context. I toss around ‘cunt’ enough to make some people uncomfortable (well, the non-British ones), but have been called a bitch and had it sting for weeks. And I am a bitch. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/37 "2009-06-15T23:03:41Z")
I’m a Yank. No one I know uses the word “cunt” for much of anything. At least not around me. I know it from the British usage, & don’t see it as offensive. Shit-for-brains, that’s pretty abusive. And people actually use it. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/38 "2009-06-15T23:10:33Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Even the racial slurs for other ethnic groups - hebe, wop, spic, mick - are thrown around in an amicable way as terms of endearment among guys who work together or are close friends. But I have _never_ heard “nigger” used in this way, which to me is a testament to its vulgarity. I have ONLY heard that word used with the most derisive and hateful sincerity; there is no conceivable way it could be used in a friendly context. Wow. You obviously know no urban black men under 40. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/39 "2009-06-15T23:22:40Z")
Put it another way. I don’t use “cunt” as a term of abuse. It’s pretty much an anatomical term in my mind. If I wanted to insult a woman, I wouldn’t use a term that means vulva. I guess the vulva is neither negative nor a good analogy for a horrible person to me. I do use “dick” & sometimes “prick” for men, though–even though it makes little sense either. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718/40 "2009-06-16T01:59:28Z")
I suspect that with insults, delivery is everything. “Boy,” or “Miss” - said with just the worst air of dismissal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-forceful-term-of-abuse-in-the-english-language-warning-bad-words/499718.md?page=3)