Are You Offended By The C-Word?
Posted by: Amelia McDonell-Parry
Filed in:
news
2:50PM, Friday July 31st 2009
In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, singer Rob Thomas says c**t is his favorite word, explaining, “I say it only around men, but I love it. C**t is in Chaucer, in Shakespeare! I say, Let’s bring it back!”
In “The Great List Of Super Offensive Controversial Words,” c**t is probably in the top five. (Look, I can’t even write it in full here.) In fact, I would venture to say that for many people, it is number one. It’s in my top five, but not on the same list. C**t is one of my favorite swear words ever, though I use it fairly sparingly, and am always aware of my audience. (In other words, not in front of my mom.) I just like the way it sounds. However, my inclination is to be bothered by Thomas’ use, mainly because he’s a man. But why is that a problem? Women call men “dicks” all the time. So what’s the big deal with dudes using the c-word, and is it better or worse to use it only around other guys? I analyze this to death, after the jump…
First, let’s look at the definition.
–noun Slang: Vulgar.
- the vulva or vagina.
- Disparaging and Offensive.
- a woman.
- a contemptible person.
- sexual intercourse with a woman.
So, according to the dictionary, c**t is both a vulgar term for the vagina, an offensive insult for both a man and a woman, and another word for sexual intercourse (though I’ve never heard it used that way.) However, as Thomas pointed out, it has the Bard’s endorsement.
Using c**t as an insult implies there’s something negative about being a vagina, but the same goes for calling someone an a**hole (though, both men and women have those, so it’s not a gender specific insult), or a d**k. So why does c**t hold SO MUCH POWER? It IS just a word, but unlike the n-word or the f-word (f*g not f**k—so many stars up in this post!), it is not deeply rooted in some form of oppression, though some would certainly argue with me, given that it can have misogynistic undertones. John Ayto, editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Slang, wrote:
Ethnic slurs are regarded as the taboo ... N****r is far more taboo than f**k or even c**t. I think if a politician were to be heard off-camera saying f**k, it would be trivial, but if he said n****r, that would be the end of his career.
While Kate Allen at The F Word, wrote:
When used as a swearword, ‘c**t’ seems to convey profoundly misogynist connotations—that the ‘nastiest’ ‘dirtiest’ word someone could come up with was the word for a woman’s vagina shows a deep fear of women’s sexuality, argue those who object to its use.
So, for some, c**t is as low a blow as you can go. But for others it’s not. When Perez Hilton was trying to think of the right word to really insult Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, he went with f*ggot, despite the irony that he’s a gay man and Will is straight. He certainly got his share of s**t, from us included. Both the n-word and f*ggot have been “reclaimed” by some members of the Black and gay communities. The problem with Hilton’s use in particular though, was that he was still using f*ggot as an insult, which seemingly negates any reclaiming. I suspect we would have been even more up in arms if he had called him the n-word, because as a non-African American, that word should never, ever come out of his mouth, especially as an insult.
any women, including some feminists, have reclaimed c**t, and it was the subject of an essay in Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues.” But just like Hilton wouldn’t be able to use the n-word in ANY context without catching hell, is it okay for guys to “reclaim” (or “bring back,” as Thomas says) the c-word? Is it okay because he just says it around dudes—clearly aware of his audience—and thus there are no women in his company to offend (though announcing it as his fave word in a national magazine kind of negates that)? Or do you think words shouldn’t have so much power and we should all learn to lighten up a bit?
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Kiki T
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 01:58 pm: [report]
as if I didn’t hate that brain fart enough
not a fan of the word myself, but not offended by it either—but whatever, to have to make a statement like that just says one thing, “I’m an assh*le.”
likeOMGkbye
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:01 pm: [report]
I love the word. use it all the time (when appropriate concerning my audience and context of course) and find no deeper offense from it than any other word.
*sam*
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:04 pm: [report]
“I analyze this to death, after the jump… ” seriously the only reason I read the whole article.
and I hate the “c-word”—mostly just b/c I don’t like the way it sounds… really nothing to do with its connotation… ranks right up there with ‘cooter’—which grosses me out b/c it sounds *so* redneck.
Riley
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:06 pm: [report]
I don’t even know the last time I’ve used it. I did date a girl that used it constantly, it came up very early and often.
Although I do think you should lighten up, words are words. As you said, d*ck isn’t taboo, it has made its way to primetime television.
Jessica Wakeman
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:11 pm: [report]
I also really like the c-word as an insult and I’m fine with men or women against men or women. I think that trying to sanitize the English language and ban words like b**ch, c**t, witch, hag, ladies, gentlemen, etc. is more about policing people’s thought than it is about protecting people. Freedom of expression, IMHO, is the feminist ideal and we can’t—nor should we want to—ban words from existence. Of course, there are appropriate and inappropriate times to say these words. However, I think our society suffers in general when there are things you’re “not allowed to say,” creatively or otherwise.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:11 pm: [report]
What begins with a C end’s with a T and has U & N in the middle?
And is really hairy?
Don’t know?
It’s a coconut.
megly
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:22 pm: [report]
I really love the c-word! It is one of my most favorite curse words (when audience appropriate, of course!)
@*sam* I agree about the other c-word, and its even worse down here b/c the rednecks say it loud and often.
SEMI-girl
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:23 pm: [report]
The c-word is worse than other similar words, like pussy or #&@$%, because we all consider it to be worse than those words. And I, for one, think that’s fantastic. Strong, offensive, unusual words are great for special situations. Ever notice how swear words are full of unusual collections of gutteral sounds that make them fun to say? The c-word is a great example of that. Insulting words in Yiddish are kind of the same way. I wouldn’t use the c-word all the time, or even some of the time, but for special circumstances it really is appropriate to call someone a c***. Like if a girl kisses my boyfriend, right before I slap a bitch.
SEMI-girl
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:24 pm: [report]
“a**hole” got censored above. Whoops.
fallenangel915
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:38 pm: [report]
I love the c-word. I try to incorporate it into my daily vernacular. Calling someone a “f**ker” or an “#&@$%” is fun, but calling someone a #&@$% is just…empowering.
dangerkirby
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:42 pm: [report]
I think that it is just a word. And I love using the word. So much, in fact, that I have it tatt’d on the inside of my lip. I truly do have a dirty mouth.
StephanieSays
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:44 pm: [report]
As in, “Rob Thomas’s sunglasses make him look like a c***”. Works for me!
joyy
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:46 pm: [report]
I wouldn’t say I love it, but I do use it when I feel it’s appropriate. If I really think someone is a cun7, I’ll call them or refer to them as such. As for the “but there’s no male equivalent” issue, I say oh the better reason to use it. A guy is going to get the message if you call him a cun7. Trust me.
GreenAura
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 02:53 pm: [report]
I don’t like the word. Not because of the connotations, but just because I don’t like the way it sounds. But, the worst of the worst is… wait for it… twat. I cringed just typing it!!
SomeGuy84
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 03:00 pm: [report]
In England, they use #&@$% quite often and as such it doesn’t hit as hard when used there as it does in the US. Maybe he picked it up there.
Guys know that if they’re in a fight with a girl (in the US) and want to pull out a word that’ll really hit hard they’ve got the c-word. With most girls, apparently not some of the previous posters, it will sting a lot worse than slut, bitch, or any other word I can think of.
Netty
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 03:03 pm: [report]
@ Cheeeese.
HAHAHAHA. What a fantastic joke.
#&@$% is just another bad word. I use it a lot. I use all bad words a lot. But if anyone called me a c!!!t or bitch or slut man or woman, I’d kick their ass.
Annika Harris
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 03:27 pm: [report]
I’m not offended when it’s used to describe a person, but if a guy referred to my lady parts as my c—t, I’d have a problem.
Also, I think the whole reclaiming of the n-word is just an excuse. There’s absolutely no instance when saying this word is appropriate, except to insult. The English language has at least 10 colorful words for every instance when the n-word could be used. This is one of my biggest pet peeves.
Coral
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 03:37 pm: [report]
It’s just a word and it shouldn’t really matter. I use the word and I don’t care when other people use it, people are so uptight and prudish sometimes.
@Cheese: What’s a four letter word for a woman that ends in ‘unt’?
Aunt.
JeeBee
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 03:57 pm: [report]
I’m defintely not offended by it. In fact, the C-word was used in Ireland and Scotland for decades as a term of endearment, it’s only the US that considers it to be a naughty word. I (as a female) for one love it and will continue to use it proudly. I say yes, let’s bring it back!
frankiebaby
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 03:59 pm: [report]
If you want some real history on the “C” word, read the book by Inga Muscio of the same namesake. As a matter of fact, the word vagina was, by historical reference, more offensive than the “c” word, as it’s literal meaning was “a sheath for a sword.” How’s that for derogatory?
http://www.ingalagringa.com/#&@$%/index.html
Sonic
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 04:06 pm: [report]
I can’t think of any particular reason I don’t say it since I don’t shy away from vulgar vocab, but I do agree that being called a c*nt can sting more than most other insults. I also don’t use the word “c*ck* on a daily basis though. I dunno, maybe both words just don’t roll off my tongue nicely.
Strangely enough though, I feel like either word can be used in a sexual context, like erotica, and be really arousing and appropriate.
Coral
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 04:07 pm: [report]
@frankiebaby: Historic Latin literature is quite vulgar in some sense. I remember reading/translating the Aeneid and there were many references of a man putting his sword into a woman’s sheath and such and the metaphorical meaning was obvious.
mousygirl
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 05:54 pm: [report]
i guess i am not offended by it if rob thomas uses it to refer to himself. yuck.
Ghirardelli
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 07:21 pm: [report]
I really don’t know why it’s such a bad word. I don’t like it either, but I am not offended by it. I just don’t ever use it. I prefer f*** or d*** to c***.
jpwong
wrote on July 31 2009 @ 10:20 pm: [report]
@frankiebaby:
I second you! Inga Muscio’s “#&@$%: A Declaration of Independence” changed my life!
Personally, I am surprised so many people here use it as a swear word. I love the word, not as a swear or insult, but for what it is: a word for your vagina! It is raw, sharp and gets to the point.
I definitely am against using it as an insult. If someone calls me one, I guess it doesn’t faze me, because I’m not one, but I have one. What would disturb me more is the fact that it is treated as an insult. It really annoys me when people use this word or “pussy” as an insult, because you are associating weakness and other negative traits with having a vagina.
The origins of the word come from spiritual worship and were used for highly respected women. I don’t know how it’s gotten to where it is now.
Let’s stop hating on women/vaginas and start embracing! Yea, I have a #&@$%- what of it?
As for Rob: I don’t agree with his logic. The fact that he uses the word as an insult and only around guys makes him seem ignorant and cowardly to me.
melissaann
wrote on August 1 2009 @ 01:01 am: [report]
Jpwong: C***t a declaration of independence changed my life too! I think they should teach that book in middle schools. It would change the way women are treated and would change the way they treat themselves. And it all starts with women admitting that we all have C**ts!
MissMissy
wrote on August 3 2009 @ 11:27 am: [report]
THIS is why I’m newly enamoured w/The Frisky. I was expecting women to be “outraged” by the use of the C-word… and I find women who are like me. Well close.
I love the C word. LOVE LOVE LOVE. My sister and I have read up on it and discovered somewhere that it was was a term used to insult intelligent women. Well, she and I, being brash, brassy broads, took that and ran. We embraced it and made the C-word our own. I even got it engraved in full caps on a liquor bottle label (remember when high-class liquor bottles had those metal labels?) and we made them into large necklace charms. Always a converstation starter.
Words only have the power you give them, and if someone calls me a C-U-Next-Tuesday, and I say, “...And?” the wind it out of their sails. I win. And I don’t mind, either, if it’s refering to the lady parts, especially in the down and dirty times. Brown-Chicken-Brown-Cooooooowwwwwww!
Silver_Stag
wrote on August 3 2009 @ 07:51 pm: [report]
As someone that is very deeply involved with my community’s annual production of The Vagina Monologues, I felt compelled to create an account to specifically comment on this topic. In Eve Ensler’s piece she advocates for the reclaiming of the word by using it in the context of feminism and female sexuality, all the while being proud of saying it. She also writes the piece so that it flows off the tip of the tongue and has an awesome rhythm, but that’s beside the point.
For myself, I do not like using the word except in reference to the VM piece simply because of it’s context in mainstream society. I do find it completely vulgar and unecessary when used as an insult, and even in the best of times it can come across as quite a shock.
I am very much in support of reclaiming it and revising the connotations assocaited with the word, but I think until society can accept these changes I’ll refrain from using it.
HermannM
wrote on August 4 2009 @ 01:28 pm: [report]
I grew with people telling me that “sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me.” That is a lie. As a kid, I used to fight in school and I have learned to recover from an ass-woopin. But verbal attacks hurt much worse, strike much deeper and last much longer. Why is that?
The mind processes information via one of three filters; cerebral, emotional or primal. When someone I know and trust refers to me as a “N*gg*r”, I rarely, if ever, take offense because I process the term through a cerebral filter (he or she grew up with the word and doesn’t now better) or emotional filter (its a term of endearment). But when a stranger, especially a white stranger, uses the term, I process it through a primal filter. My sense of identity seems under attack and my “fight or flight” defenses start to kick in. The same thing happens with the words B*tch, C*nt, Sp*c, Wh*p”, F*gg*t and K*ke for women, Latinos, Italians, Gays and Jews, respectively. It’s human nature.
The issue is not about black vs white, man vs woman, ethnic vs assimilated. It’s about friends and strangers, how close we are to each other, or rather, how close we perceive ourselves to be. New York was once a melting pot but now it’s just a tossed salad. We are all in the same bowl but very few of us actually interact with one another. If we could find a way to close the cultural/ emotional gaps that exist between us, then maybe we can get to a point when “words will never hurt us.” Times are changing and we may actually get there, but I’m not holding my breath.
writergirl
wrote on August 5 2009 @ 03:45 pm: [report]
I don’t like the word. Never have. I don’t think I’ve ever even uttered it.
In the same vein, I’m not inclined to use the term “d*ck” to insult a man and have NEVER uttered the N-word, either.
I don’t like any of them. I guess on some level I find them exceedingly insulting, so that’s why. But what’s more, I think that calling someone one of those words depletes your own intellegence. In my mind, you should have to go there—that low—to insult someone if necessary. And yet, I had no problem calling the woman who almost hit me because she was texting and driving and holding a tea cup dog on her lap a “stupid b*tch.” Go figure.
Shasta
wrote on August 6 2009 @ 03:58 pm: [report]
@MissyMiss - I agree that words have the power you give them. Look at the word f***. It’s ubiquitous and has become a beige, utilitarian word. No big whoop.
Not sure about the “C” word. So if a guy calls me one, is that the worst he can say about me and…what exactly is he saying about me?
I’ve never been sure. Probably because I’ve never been called one.
MissMissy
wrote on August 6 2009 @ 04:15 pm: [report]
@Shasta - If that’s the worst he can say, I’d say it’s more a reflection on him. I’d be WAY more offended if he called me a racist homophobe, because a) it’s untrue, and b) those are TERRIBLE things.
Call me a C*%& ... yeah, ok. That’s me. And ... I’ve responded this way a handful of times and it’s always so rewarding to see them stutter and stumble away. I just bat my eyelashes and blow kisses. A C-U-Next-Tuesday, betcher arse.
retro chic
wrote on August 6 2009 @ 05:27 pm: [report]
Yes… except when I use it… in my mind. The few times I uttered it years ago, cool as a cucumber, it was to or about a guy. The worst thing you can call a man – is a “woman” (particularly her bits). Flames and mushroom clouds for miles around. tee-hee. But, I really have no use for the word. Phrasing everyday language in tone and content is far more satisfying…
leavesleavetrees
wrote on August 6 2009 @ 11:37 pm: [report]
For some reason “p***y” is way worse in my mind. I really think it has to do with the sound of the word though. Well… actually I’m not sure. When used as a word synonymous with wimp, I don’t mind “pussy” but when used to refer to a vagina, I hate it. C**t, I don’t hear nearly as much, but if some one seriously, with a straight face, referred to their or my vagina as a c**t or p***y, I would want to slap them.
Titi
wrote on August 6 2009 @ 11:51 pm: [report]
@frankiebaby and JPwong:
#&@$% is my favorite book! I love the word after reading it. It’s life-changing. Inga Muscio is a genius.
Also, who the f*ck cares what a has-been like Rob Thomas says?
cherikee
wrote on August 10 2009 @ 04:51 pm: [report]
The only vulgar thing about that word is the fact that it is censored. (See Above)
dagss
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 02:26 pm: [report]
^ This thank you cherikee. When will we grow up (especially online) and not put a buncha #$%@^&* to represent a word we all know and love (or hate)? #&@$%!!!
dagss
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 03:06 pm: [report]
F@#$%^&$%#UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU&^*(#$##%ÌCCCCCCCCCC&%$#@@%^KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Cori L
wrote on August 13 2009 @ 12:29 pm: [report]
#&@$% is a GREAT word! I especially love the sound of it when spoken by someone from the UK or Scottland.
I don’t let the word offend me like I used to. I heard a wise woman point out that “words” only carry as much power as one allows them to have. Makes perfect sense. #&@$%.
Daytona
wrote on August 15 2009 @ 02:14 pm: [report]
JMHO here, I think that word is one of the worst words that could have ever been introduced into our language.
I believe that is the ultimate insult to whom ever you are talking about when using it as an adjective/noun.
I take great offense to that even being spoken in my presence. If a group of males want to talk like that to each other than power to them, but just leave me out of the conversation and have respect to not let me hear you say it.
I know there are alot of harsh words out there and I agree, words are just words. Like when we were taught alot younger that “Sticks and Stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me”, well it hurts my ears and it is just plain offensive.
This is not a racial slur like the “N” word. I don’t agree with that either, but this one is gender related. It can’t be compared to the “N” word. If you are caucasion then it is ok for the African American population to call you a “cracker or bisquit” or something like that. They even call each other that “N” word. You never hear another female going around and slapping a high five and saying to each other,“Hey “c**t”! What’s going on?” I hope that isn’t the case any way.
I am not wanting this to go into debate, so please don’t respond with he said, she said and whatever. I am just commenting on my opinion of the word in question here.
Everyone have a wonderful weekend!
rrsassy21
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 03:57 pm: [report]
hearing someone say this word is like fingernails on a blackboard… it just sounds terrible.
snap
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 04:01 pm: [report]
incredibly offensive.
Ginger
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 04:06 pm: [report]
I have a guy friend who, like me, only uses the word an an insult if it’s modified. He’s dead serious when he tells people this too because (And he uses the actual word, not ‘they’ in his speech) “They are not bad. They are beautiful things and we should not treat them like a bad thing. Some are. I would not want to stick my d*** in a diseased one, or a dirty one. So if you call someone that you should put a word with negative connotations in front of it. That way stupid people don’t get confused about how awesome they are.”
I’ve always thought he summed it up nicely.