Is 'The C Word' Sexist?
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Would "dick", "jerk-off" and "bastard" be included in the negative implications list?Darken12 said:
No In the same sense cock or dick isn't sexist. **** Is just a word like any other Its meaning depends on its context.
Well, I live in Australia. Here it is not uncommon for good friends to call one another cunts on leisure. So it's safe to say that the word doesn't offend me, or any other Australians I know. I don't know why people would accuse it of being sexist though, it's no more sexist than any other "insult" or harsh word.
....I swear to god at the rate at which the "x words" campaigns are starting in the past month or so we are going to run out of words to actually use within a few years as every word will be taboo.
But for the topic on hand, **** is not sexist. Just like calling someone a dick, douche (which is usually used on guys ironically), or pussy (also used on guys)
But for the topic on hand, **** is not sexist. Just like calling someone a dick, douche (which is usually used on guys ironically), or pussy (also used on guys)
Using rude words pertaining to a person's genitals to insult them? Who would do that? A DICK that's who! A no good COCK! A real WIENER! A dirty PLONKER! A dumb WANKER! An asinine JACK-OFF! A stupid BELL-END! A sexist BONER!
I wish I wasn't a man, if I was a woman then at least there'd be no possible way for me to be sexist.
I wish I wasn't a man, if I was a woman then at least there'd be no possible way for me to be sexist.
We Norwegians have our own set of swears, so it's generally pretty uncommon for such English swears to be used in a heated conversation, or even a casual one. Some English swears have almost completely integrated themselves with the way Norwegians speak though, especially fuck and shit are common. Actually, they are likely more common among young people than Norwegian swears are.
I guess there is a divide, older people are far more restricted in their use of coarse language, while young people simply don't give a fuck (pun intended). The Norwegian equivalent of "****" has pretty much become a commonly used word to mean vagina, and isn't considered any more insulting than "dick". The words themselves are not considered insulting or hurtful, but they can certainly be used to insult and hurt if that is the intention.
I guess there is a divide, older people are far more restricted in their use of coarse language, while young people simply don't give a fuck (pun intended). The Norwegian equivalent of "****" has pretty much become a commonly used word to mean vagina, and isn't considered any more insulting than "dick". The words themselves are not considered insulting or hurtful, but they can certainly be used to insult and hurt if that is the intention.
With the same gravity or cultural weight? No. There's a tangible difference between slurs aimed at marginalised groups and slurs aimed at privileged groups, and while they are both based on prejudice, they do not carry the same weight or connotations. Slurs aimed at the LGBTQ+ community or at a person of colour are more harmful than a straight/cis person being called a "breeder" or a white person being called "cracker" or "white trash".Lonewolfm16 said:
Someone who is opposed to insults/cursing on the basis of prejudice alone would not use dick, jerk-off, bastard, cock or any slurs based on prejudice.
While those slurs might all share the same root (prejudice) and might be considered equivalent on the most elemental basis, it would be highly disingenuous to presume they have the same cultural/historical weight.
Makes sense, though I disagree with you on females being a "marginalized group" and males being privileged. But that is a conversation for another day, on a less specific forum.Darken12 said:
It seems that only cunts find the word "****" sexist so I don't care what those cunts think.
It's a lovely word in my opinion, it's so obscene it's hilarious.
I always believe if a word is terribly offensive just use it so much it loses its sting... then it becomes a happy word, a fun word, a word to unite others in harmony.
It's a lovely word in my opinion, it's so obscene it's hilarious.
I always believe if a word is terribly offensive just use it so much it loses its sting... then it becomes a happy word, a fun word, a word to unite others in harmony.
Its sexist and the amount it is used does not make it any less sexist. I had to spend over an hour educating a friend of mine as to why the use of the word "Gay" to mean "Anything not good" (See: "That's totally gay" or equivalent) is homophobic. Context is everything, true, and many people who use it, including myself, do not intend to be sexist in the slightest. However, it is still sexist.
One might as well argue that "******" is not homophobic because it is used by so many people in certain communities, or "******" is not racist for the same reason. Context is everything but content still matters. It is not even a question of whether or not you are offending the person you are calling a ****, it is a question of if others are finding your language offensive that are in earshot.
It is why I do not like eating out with my sisters. I swear a lot, although I try and limit this to when it is socially acceptable. I swear more around my sisters, they swear constantly. They have no issue with speaking the same as they do when at home as they do in public and I find it upsetting.
If I call someone a fucking ****** it does not mater at all if I meant "You very nice person who I love dearly", the term is homophobic REGARDLESS of intent. Same with calling someone a ****. The term is sexist, pure and simple, (As are terms like "Dick" but you know what, that argument is circular and pointless). The question is how much you care and do the people around you care?
For whilst I will not stand for the F word that I have typed multiple times during this post, I can call people cunts. And I do. I accept that it is sexist, I also accept that my close friends are all male and that no harm whatsoever is meant. However, I am still being sexist. Much like when I posted the words "Ding dong the ***** is dead" on FB, that was a sexist remark, it was a gendered insult. It was wrong.
Most of our insults are insulting. That is sorta the point of insults. Denying that the term being discussed is not sexist based on either intent or proliferation is utterly, UTTERLY pointless, for all of the arguments made above.
Unless you intend to indicate that the F word or the N word used above are not racist or homophobic. In which case you are quite simply wrong.
One might as well argue that "******" is not homophobic because it is used by so many people in certain communities, or "******" is not racist for the same reason. Context is everything but content still matters. It is not even a question of whether or not you are offending the person you are calling a ****, it is a question of if others are finding your language offensive that are in earshot.
It is why I do not like eating out with my sisters. I swear a lot, although I try and limit this to when it is socially acceptable. I swear more around my sisters, they swear constantly. They have no issue with speaking the same as they do when at home as they do in public and I find it upsetting.
Ah, This argument. It is a word with baggage. Like I said, context matters, but context does not change the content. Intent matters, but intent is not everything. If you totally and utterly accidentally buy stolen goods you can still be arrested for handling them, even if that was not your intent, for ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law.FalloutJack said:
If I call someone a fucking ****** it does not mater at all if I meant "You very nice person who I love dearly", the term is homophobic REGARDLESS of intent. Same with calling someone a ****. The term is sexist, pure and simple, (As are terms like "Dick" but you know what, that argument is circular and pointless). The question is how much you care and do the people around you care?
For whilst I will not stand for the F word that I have typed multiple times during this post, I can call people cunts. And I do. I accept that it is sexist, I also accept that my close friends are all male and that no harm whatsoever is meant. However, I am still being sexist. Much like when I posted the words "Ding dong the ***** is dead" on FB, that was a sexist remark, it was a gendered insult. It was wrong.
Most of our insults are insulting. That is sorta the point of insults. Denying that the term being discussed is not sexist based on either intent or proliferation is utterly, UTTERLY pointless, for all of the arguments made above.
Unless you intend to indicate that the F word or the N word used above are not racist or homophobic. In which case you are quite simply wrong.
I used to use the word **** a lot in my guild/clan/team. Some American users (and only Americans) found it really hard to deal with.
So as a compromise I invented the word 'cuntpuncher' to replace it, and now it's all good.
So as a compromise I invented the word 'cuntpuncher' to replace it, and now it's all good.
I'm not really sure, but it sure as hell is an absolutely hideous example of language. It just sounds wrong, my vocal cords just actively protest whenever I say it, and that has nothing to do with what it means.
Whether or not it's really 'sexist' I think is kind of up for debate, but it's still a pretty severe insult and don't be surprised if a woman slaps you if you call her one.
Whether or not it's really 'sexist' I think is kind of up for debate, but it's still a pretty severe insult and don't be surprised if a woman slaps you if you call her one.
Only really sexist because of how it's used, and what it implies. It's used to demean people, and when used that way, it implies cunts are demeaning, so someone who has one is thereby put down. That's where the sexism comes from.
And I guess people call each other dicks too, but dick is hardly considered a real, hurtful insult by most people, and is often said in more joking terms. Either way, both are technically sexist, just as using 'lame' or 'retarded' is ablest.
And I guess people call each other dicks too, but dick is hardly considered a real, hurtful insult by most people, and is often said in more joking terms. Either way, both are technically sexist, just as using 'lame' or 'retarded' is ablest.
I'd say yes and since you asked here's why. When used on a woman it's a rather dehumanising way to imply that all someone is is their genitals. Reducing a person to an orifice. When used on men it generally gets worse and often quite misogynistic. Comparing men to female genitals as an insult you're implicitly implying that being a woman or having female genitals is something less then being a man or worse. Also potentially that what ever action the man is doing is not "manly" and is somehow feminine and they shouldn't do it. This is often an incredibly sexist form of gender policing that men do to each other.
Opposing arguments I dislike immensely.
It's just a word/sound. Ok then you have no problem with me calling you a serial child rapist right? Those are also just words. Words represent things, ideas, actions and concepts through our usage of them have meaning and effects.
Dick vs ****. Dick has a much softer meaning then **** and isn't used the same way. I also don't like it and I don't suggest using either of them.
Opposing arguments I dislike immensely.
It's just a word/sound. Ok then you have no problem with me calling you a serial child rapist right? Those are also just words. Words represent things, ideas, actions and concepts through our usage of them have meaning and effects.
Dick vs ****. Dick has a much softer meaning then **** and isn't used the same way. I also don't like it and I don't suggest using either of them.
in britain it can also depend on where you grew up. round where i live **** is on a par with git or bastard its barely classed as a swear word "aaa you cheeky ****" said with a laugh in the voice is how i normally hear it (that or something similar) with it being switchable with git or bastard to mean the same thing.
i dont know if its a class thing, its pretty poor round here, or a london thing but i was really supprised when i first heard someone take real offence to the word.
it might be the differnt ways you can say it as round here you dont really say the T at the end so its a lot softer maybe that takes some of the sting out of it im not sure.
i dont know if its a class thing, its pretty poor round here, or a london thing but i was really supprised when i first heard someone take real offence to the word.
it might be the differnt ways you can say it as round here you dont really say the T at the end so its a lot softer maybe that takes some of the sting out of it im not sure.