# Why is that bitch sexist and that bastard isn't? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 17, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623 "2016-06-17T17:21:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/1 "2016-06-17T17:21:40Z")
If you’re angry with a man you can refer to him as “that sorry ass bastard”. No problem. Men and women can say it. Refer to a woman as that fucking bitch and (if you’re a man) people call you a sexist. Women can call each other bitches. Why? You’re using curse words in both examples. Referring to someone you strongly dislike. Obviously you don’t say it directly to them. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/2 "2016-06-17T17:26:53Z")
The difference is that “bitch” has strong sexual connotations, whereas “bastard” doesn’t. And who says you don’t say it directly to them? ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/3 "2016-06-17T17:29:16Z")
Because women are too often called bitches simply for sticking up for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/4 "2016-06-17T17:36:51Z")
I don’t think that bastard is usually an attempt at putting someone down based specifically on their gender, or at least I don’t think it’s commonly perceived as such. But, of course, it really depends on the context. “Bastard” can be used with sexist connotations and “bitch” can be used without them, but generally speaking, that’s not the case. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/5 "2016-06-17T17:36:55Z")
Might start a fight if you said that to somebody’s face. 😃 Seems like these words no longer carry their original meaning. Bastard is a illegitimate child. But used as a curse word it no longer implies that you think their mother was unmarried. Bitch is the same. It’s a curse word. No one is suggesting that person is a female dog. It can even apply to objects. Getting my pc upgraded was a bitch. Or, Jack bitches about his job all the time. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/6 "2016-06-17T17:37:38Z")
“bastard” is an archaic term for a child born to unmarried parents, regardless of gender. “Bitch” is the term for a female dog. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/7 "2016-06-17T17:40:05Z")
I use “cunts” as my derogatory term of choice for people I don’t like, regardless of their sex/gender/color/creed. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/8 "2016-06-17T18:01:01Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > Because women are too often called bitches simply for sticking up for themselves. Basically. A woman who is a “bitch” is unpleasant in a way that is specifically related to her behaving in an opposite fashion to that which is “expected” for her gender: She’s being assertive, aggressive, bossy or dominant. Interestingly, you can also call a man a bitch, as in “I made him my bitch”, but then it means that he’s behaving opposite to the expectations for \*his \*gender: You’ve made him submissive to you, and he’s now whimpering in a corner. > [@jz78817](#): > > “bastard” is an archaic term for a child born to unmarried parents, regardless of gender. Which is why I can’t even use it as an insult, and it actually bugs me whenever I see it (yes, I am bugged quite a lot). You’re suggesting that this person’s parents were unmarried? Um, OK. So? Whatever, dude. > [@kayaker](#): > > I use “cunts” as my derogatory term of choice for people I don’t like, regardless of their sex/gender/color/creed. As I’ve complained before, I’ve never understood why “cunt” is supposed to be an insult. Personally, I love cunts. And. yes, I’m running a bit short in the insult department as a result of all this. I get by with “asshole” these days. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/9 "2016-06-17T18:05:36Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > And. yes, I’m running a bit short in the insult department as a result of all this. I get by with “asshole” these days. What’s wrong with “fucktard”? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/10 "2016-06-17T18:06:45Z")
So when you call someone a “son of bitch”, are you actually taking exception with his mother? ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/11 "2016-06-17T18:15:12Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So when you call someone a “son of bitch”, are you actually taking exception with his mother? I’ve always figured that it’s a roundabout way of accusing a man of behaving like a female-style bitch, which otherwise wouldn’t make sense: You’re suggesting that he has inherited his mother’s bitchy qualities. Or, yeah, maybe you’re just straight up insulting his mother. > [@kayaker](#): > > What’s wrong with “fucktard”? Well, some of my best friends are fucktards. So, there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/12 "2016-06-17T18:16:16Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > As I’ve complained before, I’ve never understood why “cunt” is supposed to be an insult. Personally, I love cunts. “Cunt” has nothing to do with anatomy, anymore than “Dick” or “Pecker”. The English language is beautiful in its fluid grace. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/13 "2016-06-17T18:21:59Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > “Cunt” has nothing to do with anatomy, anymore than “Dick” or “Pecker”. > > The English language is beautiful in its fluid grace. I once knew a Dick Pecker. Cunt remember what ever happened to the son of a bitch. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/14 "2016-06-17T19:52:55Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So when you call someone a “son of bitch”, are you actually taking exception with his mother? Y’know, I always thought that it’s a shitty insult because it’s not insulting the intended target but someone completely different (their mom) who generally is completely uninvolved in the conflict. How’s that fair? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/15 "2016-06-17T20:25:40Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > Which is why I can’t even use [bastard] as an insult, and it actually bugs me whenever I see it (yes, I am bugged quite a lot). You’re suggesting that this person’s parents were unmarried? Um, OK. So? Whatever, dude. While there was a time when its literal meaning was a significant insult, currently it means the person is mean-spirited or somesuch. It’s a mistake to construe the present-day insult to actually mean born out of wedlock. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/16 "2016-06-17T20:31:14Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So when you call someone a “son of bitch”, are you actually taking exception with his mother? Originally, it was insulting both him and his mother by calling them dogs, which in certain time/place settings was a significant insult. Now it’s just another way of calling someone a bastard (see my above post). Again, it’s a mistake to interpret the current sense as the literal meaning of the phrase. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/17 "2016-06-17T21:23:01Z")
Honestly I wouldn’t spend time with people who used either term. I don’t like being cussed at or being around people who throw around cuss words. It shows extremely poor taste. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/18 "2016-06-17T21:25:27Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Honestly I wouldn’t spend time with people who used either term. I don’t like being cussed at or being around people who throw around cuss words. It shows extremely poor taste. Oh, quit your bitchin’. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/19 "2016-06-17T22:58:45Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Honestly I wouldn’t spend time with people who used either term. I don’t like being cussed at or being around people who throw around cuss words. It shows extremely poor taste. What the fuck are you doing hanging around here, then? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623/20 "2016-06-17T23:16:01Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So when you call someone a “son of bitch”, are you actually taking exception with his mother? It seems to suggest that bitchiness is somehow hereditary. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-bitch-sexist-and-that-bastard-isnt/757623.md?page=2)