# What's the difference between calling a poster a c\*\*t and...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-calling-a-poster-a-c-t-and/688718>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [May 19, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-calling-a-poster-a-c-t-and/688718 "2014-05-19T06:50:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 4

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**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:** [May 19, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-calling-a-poster-a-c-t-and/688718/61 "2014-05-19T18:15:37Z")

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> [@jsgoddess](#):
>
> That’s exactly my point. If you insult a man by saying he’s got female body parts, that’s misogynistic. You cannot insult a woman by saying she’s got female body parts.

You’re not “saying she’s got female body parts” as though you’re using some _neutral_ term without history and social context, now are you? You’re using a word that when used against a woman, was a vile insult. In fact, it’s a lot _less_ of an insult used against a man, in some places.

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**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-calling-a-poster-a-c-t-and/688718/62 "2014-05-19T18:16:55Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> You’re not “saying she’s got female body parts” as though you’re using some _neutral_ term without history and social context, now are you?

The fact that you privilege the word does not require me to do so. It simply doesn’t.

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**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:** [May 19, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-calling-a-poster-a-c-t-and/688718/63 "2014-05-19T18:20:26Z")

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> [@jsgoddess](#):
>
> The fact that you privilege the word does not require me to do so. It simply doesn’t.

What I privilege is irrelevant - I’m quite happy to use the word in a positive context, like I said.

What matters to me is the intent behind its use in that thread, where it clearly _was_ intended as part of an insult.

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**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:** [May 19, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-calling-a-poster-a-c-t-and/688718/64 "2014-05-19T18:23:27Z")

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The subject of the specific semantic delineations between misogynistic and non-misogynistic uses of gendered vulgarities is interesting, but not really appropriate to this forum. Could make a heck of a GD.

Since the OP’s questions have been answered, and he seems satisfied with them, I’m going to close this thread.

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