# Should we ban misogynism in the Pit? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 9, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329 "2020-06-09T23:03:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/21 "2020-06-10T22:37:59Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So= let us abolish the Pit \*as a place with special rules. \*The Pit should have the exact same rules as the rest of the board. It should be a place of rants, not racism, Misogyny, bullying or yes- not even personal insults. At some point in the past 20 years, the Pit went from a forum in which personal insults are allowed to a forum in which personal insults are encouraged. I prefer the former. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/22 "2020-06-10T23:19:12Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > At some point in the past 20 years, the Pit went from a forum in which personal insults are allowed to a forum in which personal insults are encouraged. I prefer the former. I don’t know. I have been posting here for 11 years (after having lurked for three years), and I have the feeling that the language was juicier and the frequency of insults higher back then. I have posted hundreds of times in the pit, and though often being confrontational, I’ve maybe used expletives against another poster two or three times, and have never been insulted as far as I remember. I have the impression that the current pit is tamer than formerly. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/23 "2020-06-10T23:21:21Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Same. > > Was a prolific user of the word “cunt” in the Pit after it came back, haven’t used it for a little while now, can’t say I’d miss it (or the me that thought that was OK). > > I am not in favour of dropping _all_ special rules for the Pit, though. It should be the place where we can call out trolls. Or offer _personal_ insults to other posters. Nice! OK, calling out trolls, but maybe we can call the POST trolling. Like "Hey, **livingunderabridge** this post, and this post and this post look a lot like trolling to me, care to explain? A nicer way of calling them a troll. And maybe get away from personal insults for a bit, see what happens? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/24 "2020-06-11T00:09:10Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I don’t know. I have been posting here for 11 years (after having lurked for three years), and I have the feeling that the language was juicier and the frequency of insults higher back then. I have posted hundreds of times in the pit, and though often being confrontational, I’ve maybe used expletives against another poster two or three times, and have never been insulted as far as I remember. I have the impression that the current pit is tamer than formerly. I’m referring to when **Lynn Bodoni** was the Pit mod and tried to keep a lid on trolling. Now-a-days, it’s the only forum here which allows (a certain amout of) trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/25 "2020-06-11T00:23:52Z")
Is “misogynism” a word? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/26 "2020-06-11T03:31:09Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Is “misogynism” a word? A perfectly cromulent word that embiggens us all. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/27 "2020-06-11T03:36:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > A perfectly cromulent word that embiggens us all. In that case I wish to know the finer points of the distinction between"misogynism" and “misogyny” so that I can nitpick the hell out it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/28 "2020-06-11T04:45:18Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > In that case I wish to know the finer points of the distinction between"misogynism" and “misogyny” so that I can nitpick the hell out it. Two more letters and a I instead of a Y. :p:p:p ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/29 "2020-06-11T10:58:10Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Nice! > > OK, calling out trolls, but maybe we can call the POST trolling. Like "Hey, **livingunderabridge** this post, and this post and this post look a lot like trolling to me, care to explain? A nicer way of calling them a troll. That’s the exact same as just calling them a troll, only with more work for me. Naah, pass. > [@](#): > > And maybe get away from personal insults for a bit, see what happens? No, am good, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/30 "2020-06-11T11:00:45Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > In that case I wish to know the finer points of the distinction between"misogynism" and “misogyny” so that I can nitpick the hell out it. I think Misogynism is when you elevate you run-of-the-mill misogyny to a full-fledged belief system. I think the OP just missed out on the correct capitalization. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/31 "2020-06-11T17:26:40Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I think Misogynism is when you elevate you run-of-the-mill misogyny to a full-fledged belief system. Then those threads would be more about witnessing and should be in _ **Great Debates** _. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/32 "2020-06-11T17:57:41Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Then those threads would be more about witnessing and should be in _ **Great Debates** _. Can’t be in GD - against the new rules against thrice-told tales. ---
**Author:** ![road\_lobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@road\_lobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/road_lobo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/33 "2020-06-13T08:25:19Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Is “misogynism” a word? We can’t use the word “sexism” anymore. Gender macht frei. ---
**Author:** ![road\_lobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@road\_lobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/road_lobo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/34 "2020-06-13T10:49:26Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > No, I do not believe an explicit statement is required. Misogyny can be implied, too. > > Here is a hypothetical example from the linked thread, > In a thread about mall shopping, out of the blue, “Stop by Starbucks. Bitches love Starbucks.” > I think it’s intentional [misogyny]. The implication is that all women are bitches. > > ~Max “Bitches love X” is a meme that’s older than dirt: “In this context, the label “bitches” is used as a mass noun to address any group of audience or viewers, regardless of gender.” Cite: [Bitches Love Smiley Faces | Know Your Meme](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bitches-love-smiley-faces) Everything is not always about you, bitches. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/35 "2020-06-13T11:00:28Z")
When denigrating a class of people is permitted, and that class has other options than enduring it, they will leave. Want that? Want the Dope to be a white male discussion board? Then yes, allowing misogyny is a great idea. So is allowing racism, homophobia, and all the rest of it. Go for it, bitches. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/36 "2020-06-13T14:34:01Z")
The OP has done a brilliant job of changing my mind. I am now much more vehemently opposed to misogynism, misogyny, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and jerkiness. Thanks, **Max** \*!\* (Seriously, was this a ham-fisted false flag? Makes more sense than someone actually believing that dissing all females is something we should all embrace here…) ps, can someone Mod Note that **Aristotle** guy? Man, is he behind the times. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/37 "2020-06-13T15:38:42Z")
\*\*Max S. \*\*, once again, your ham-fisted and bizarre positions on what constitutes racism and misogyny leave me perplexed as to what you are trying to accomplish. My position is that racism and sexism have no place on the board. One could conceivably debate, say, the validity of women and children first, or physical performance standards for jobs, without running afoul of the rule. But actively denigrating women as a class should be verboten the same way racism should be. > [@road\_lobo](#): > > “Bitches love X” is a meme that’s older than dirt: “In this context, the label “bitches” is used as a mass noun to address any group of audience or viewers, regardless of gender.” > > Cite: [Bitches Love Smiley Faces | Know Your Meme](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bitches-love-smiley-faces) > > Everything is not always about you, bitches. Funny that while your cite does _say_ the use is regardless of gender, all the descriptions of the origin of the meme specifically address women. > [@](#): > > The template “Bitches Love X” is derived from a quote in the episode “Let’s Nab Oprah” in the first season of the animated TV seriesThe Boondocks.[1]The episode originally aired on February 12th, 2006, as part ofCartoon Network’sAdult Swimprogramming block. In the episode, the character Ed Wuncler III[19](voiced by comedian Charlie Murphy) comments on texting a woman with the line “I sent that bitch a smiley face, bitches love smiley faces.” > [@](#): > > It was repeated again on the Wu Tang Corps forum[3]on February 19th, 2007. The phrase was given as a piece of advice on how to court someone via texting on thePhantasy Star OnlineForums[21]on March 7th and on theBody Building Forums[22]on July 1st. > [@](#): > > The phrase was used in a set of image macros featuring stock photographs[2]of a man and a woman sitting at desks (shown above) on the humor site My Confined Space[4]on June 10th, 2007. > [@](#): > > On May 8th,YouTubeMatt Lobster uploaded a comedy skit video titled “Bitches Love Toast”, which opens with a man advising his friend to give the girlfriend a toast for their anniversary gift. > [@](#): > > **Usage: Bitch vs. Bitches** > > While the word “bitch” still carries an insulting tone in most circumstances, its plural noun form has been increasingly used as a casual way to address one’s close friends, associates and even families, with connotation similar to that of “fellas.” Such non-derogatory use of “bitches” in plural form was first documented onUrban Dictionary[17]in early 2005: > > Originally used to describe women; now a days literally can be said to any1 …anytime …anyplace for any reason. For example: > > “wutup bitches!” > “u guys r bitches!” > “it’s celebration, bitches!” > > When the word is used as an insult, it sets apart an individual, conveying feelings of hostility. When used in this plural form, the sentiment can be one of good humor to refer to a group of close friends and associates. While there are exceptions to this application[18], the context of the situation can affect the meaning of the word “bitches.” This is ridiculous. Addressing friends and associates as “bitches” is done using the fact “bitch” _is_ an insult. It’s being used in a good-natured easy of banter and traded insults between friends. That means the acrimony isn’t there, but it’s still a reference to the insulting nature of the word. It is not “non-derogatory”, it is just without hostility. It is not a neutral word. Also, older than dirt must be relative. That page says the phrase originated in 2007. That’s like, yesterday. [/old fart] ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/38 "2020-06-13T17:31:56Z")
**Moderator Warning** > [@road\_lobo](#): > > We can’t use the word “sexism” anymore. Gender macht frei. I don’t know why you thought it would be a good idea to make a Nazi reference in ATMB, but that will earn you a warning. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/39 "2020-06-13T17:36:35Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@road\_lobo](#): > > “Bitches love X” is a meme that’s older than dirt: “In this context, the label “bitches” is used as a mass noun to address any group of audience or viewers, regardless of gender.” > > Cite: [Bitches Love Smiley Faces | Know Your Meme](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bitches-love-smiley-faces) > > Everything is not always about you, bitches. Just because you found it in a meme on the internet does not mean it is acceptable here. Referring to women as “bitches” is actionable here on the SDMB. This is the second time that you have referred to women as bitches in this thread. I’ll make this a note instead of a warning since I just gave you another warning, but don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329/40 "2020-06-14T12:38:07Z")
It’s not already banned on this site that leans far to the left of Sanders? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-misogynism-in-the-pit/855329.md?page=3)