Why is cunt the rudest / nastiest word?

[ManlyBanisters]

I hope invisibleman doesn't mind me quoting him but I just saw this blog comment and it sparked a thought:

A bitch is a mean spirited woman. Manbitches are mean spirited men.

Cunts are reserved for those women who are really heartless...bitches who surpassed the bitch label and slipped into CUNT country. Manbitches who surpass being manbitch label...they transform themselves into
Cunty manbitches...Or Cuntass Supreme Pricks.

I get what he's saying and I'm not having a go at invisi at all. He certainly is far from being the only one who'd use a scale like that.

But I'm curious as to why 'cunt' is the ultimate insult? For a man or a woman?

Firstly, do you agree with that? Do you use cunt as the worse possible thing you can call someone? If so, why? Is it worse for a man or a woman to be called a cunt? (There's a cultural Nth American / European difference there that I'm already aware of.)

I use the word cunt quite a lot - mostly I use it to refer to my vagina - or to other women's vaginas. Sometimes I use it as an insult, but that's much rarer because the thing is, you see, I like my cunt. I like cunts generally. I think they are good things. I know there are a lot of cunt fans here - so why is cunt such a bad word?

Most people will agree that being called a 'prick' isn't nearly as bad as being called a 'cunt'. Why? Are male genitalia nicer than female genitalia? Surely the answer to that question is relative to the respondent and should vary for each of us.

Your ideas please, women and men of LPSG - what is it that has led us to view an allusion to the vagina as so much worse than an allusion to the penis?

NB: I know there are quite a lot of gay men (not all, but a significant number) out there who dislike vaginas and think they are yucky. Would those men please be so kind as to refrain from posting 'eeeeyooo, nasty, fishy, yucky, I'm going to hurl at the very thought' type posts. You are entitled to your opinions, far be it from me to shove my cunt down your throats :tongue:, but I somehow doubt that a male homosexual aversion to the vagina is the root cause of the subject I am posting on. Thanks for understanding.

 

[Gillette]

Why cunt you understand it?

I don't think the insult is due to what they're being labelled as so much as the sound of the word itself. Cunt, with both the "k" and the "t" sound, is more visceral sounding than vagina, vag, or pussy making the impact sharper.

It's easier to inject a venomous tone into a single syllable word particularly if it has harsh consonants in it. I think this has a lot to do with the popularity of "Fuck" as well.

Bitch is softer sounding word, it also ascribes a personality to the one being labelled.
Cunt reduces them to a body part denying them the personality aspect. That the body part is sexual is meant to make it filthier.

I'm sure if we had a single syllable word for anus that had the abrupt consonant sounds that it would quickly gain dominance as the insult of choice.

 

[HorsemanUK]

I hope invisibleman doesn't mind me quoting him but I just saw this blog comment and it sparked a thought:



I get what he's saying and I'm not having a go at invisi at all. He certainly is far from being the only one who'd use a scale like that.

But I'm curious as to why 'cunt' is the ultimate insult? For a man or a woman?

Firstly, do you agree with that? Do you use cunt as the worse possible thing you can call someone? If so, why? Is it worse for a man or a woman to be called a cunt? (There's a cultural Nth American / European difference there that I'm already aware of.)

I use the word cunt quite a lot - mostly I use it to refer to my vagina - or to other women's vaginas. Sometimes I use it as an insult, but that's much rarer because the thing is, you see, I like my cunt. I like cunts generally. I think they are good things. I know there are a lot of cunt fans here - so why is cunt such a bad word?

Most people will agree that being called a 'prick' isn't nearly as bad as being called a 'cunt'. Why? Are male genitalia nicer than female genitalia? Surely the answer to that question is relative to the respondent and should vary for each of us.

Your ideas please, women and men of LPSG - what is it that has led us to view an allusion to the vagina as so much worse than an allusion to the penis?

NB: I know there are quite a lot of gay men (not all, but a significant number) out there who dislike vaginas and think they are yucky. Would those men please be so kind as to refrain from posting 'eeeeyooo, nasty, fishy, yucky, I'm going to hurl at the very thought' type posts. You are entitled to your opinions, far be it from me to shove my cunt down your throats :tongue:, but I somehow doubt that a male homosexual aversion to the vagina is the root cause of the subject I am posting on. Thanks for understanding.

I use the word cunt quite alot sometimes as a insult and use it in agressive manner when im annoyed. Other times i just use the word in conversation for the fun of it but it not to mean offense. Maybe its just the North East of England but we use the word alot up here. Also i dont really agree thats its the number one most offensive word its a word lighten up. Women in England seem to use the word cunt alot more i think than other places for various reasons, its a horny word when used by women to refer to there vaginas I feel.

 

[HorsemanUK]

Why cunt you understand it?

I don't think the insult is due to what they're being labelled as so much as the sound of the word itself. Cunt, with both the "k" and the "t" sound, is more visceral sounding than vagina, vag, or pussy making the impact sharper.

It's easier to inject a venomous tone into a single syllable word particularly if it has harsh consonants in it. I think this has a lot to do with the popularity of "Fuck" as well.

Bitch is softer sounding word, it also ascribes a personality to the one being labelled.
Cunt reduces them to a body part denying them the personality aspect. That the body part is sexual is meant to make it filthier.

I'm sure if we had a single syllable word for anus that had the abrupt consonant sounds that it would quickly gain dominance as the insult of choice.

Lol anus, that word is too amusing to become a major insult.

 

[ManlyBanisters]

I use the word cunt quite alot sometimes as a insult and use it in agressive manner when im annoyed. Other times i just use the word in conversation for the fun of it but it not to mean offense. Maybe its just the North East of England but we use the word alot up here. Also i dont really agree thats its the number one most offensive word its a word lighten up. Women in England seem to use the word cunt alot more i think than other places for various reasons, its a horny word when used by women to refer to there vaginas I feel.

That's how I feel about the word myself. I'm sure there is a cultural difference - I'm just seeking to understand why, in some cultures / for some people, it is such a rude word.

For example - Have I Got News For You, from what I recall they beep out 'fuck' on BBC1 in the primetime slot but leave it in on the BBC2 repeat, right? But on the one occasion I recall a panel member saying 'cunt' it was beeped out on the BBC2 airing. The only time you ever hear cunt, even on British TV, is in movies and dramas, and the occasional late night comedy - it always gets beeped out of any non-scripted program. Obvioulsy the powers that be there see it as more likely to offend people. Why?

I agree - it is just a word. It should not be taboo - cock is not taboo, why is cunt?

 

[D_Jerry_Atric]

I do not really get this either.

 

[B_Nick8]

I know you don't mind it MB and that's fine but it's a word that's never come out of my mouth and one that I find offensive primarily because of the way others use it. It seems to me to be the most dismissive and reductive word people can use for women. And worse, there doesn't seem to be an equivalent for men; none of 'their' terms come close. Prick? Nope. Dick? Nah. Asshole? Gender neutral.

Partly it's the germanic sound of the word. And perhaps there's some weird, vestigial, prudish, respectful thing for women going on with me but I simply can't use it in good conscience (and it makes me crazy when my bf uses it particularly when some woman cuts him off in traffic; I can't help but think he's not coming from a good place there). I'll try to see it differently if you'd like, but I don't think I'll start using it any time soon.

 

[Drifterwood]

When's your birthday?

Amazon.com: Cunt Coloring Book: Tee Corinne: Books

 

[Enid]

Your ideas please, women and men of LPSG - what is it that has led us to view an allusion to the vagina as so much worse than an allusion to the penis?

This is a good question. Kind of makes me want to re-watch that George Carlin routine on the words you can't (cunt) say on TV.

I like the word "cunt" but don't use it derogatorily. If I'm upset with someone and want to call them something I usually use the word "jerk" or "asshole", regardless of gender. Or maybe I'll call someone a "total shit". I don't have a tiered system really.

I thought this was an interesting bit on the word cunt & censorship --

kagablog cunt & censorship


http://www.matthewhunt.com/cunt/index.html

 

[Pitbull]

When's your birthday?

Amazon.com: Cunt Coloring Book: Tee Corinne: Books

Drifterwood - How do you come up with this stuff?

And people who liked also bought:

Amazon.com: The Big Coloring Book of Vaginas: Morgan Hastings: Books

Amazon.com: The Bijou Cock Coloring Book: Steven Toushin: Books

Amazon.com: Pornogami: A Guide to the Ancient Art of Paper-Folding for Adults: Master Sugoi: Books

But what really got me was:

1.) Tell the Publisher! - I'd like to read this book on Kindle!

??? A coloring book on Kindle

and

2.) More Buying Choices - 29 USED and new from $5.95

Used coloring books are always a great choice

 

[Trouty]

I even have trouble typing the 'C' word (see what I mean :biggrin. For me it's really reserved for the very worst of insults (and my boss!). I doubt I would ever use the word with reference to a vagina when talking to a woman - I just can't do the dirty talk thing. I don't know why, just guess it's the way I was brought up.

 

[Not_Punny]

The rudest, nastiest word is "work."

 

[flame boy]

I think it may have something to do with the sound of the word. The harshness of the "t" can really make an impact if said by the right person. No idea why others consider it a bad word, I use it all the cunting time!

 

[Calboner]

I even have trouble typing the 'C' word (see what I mean :biggrin.

Ah, don't be such a pussy.

To be serious, though: the fact that the word "pussy," though mildly derisive, has not nearly so harsh a tone as "cunt," while the two terms have the same anatomical meaning, shows that that meaning does not explain why "cunt" is such a harsh word.

 

[invisibleman]

I hope invisibleman doesn't mind me quoting him but I just saw this blog comment and it sparked a thought:

"EUREKA, Invisibleman is a cunt for saying all those cunty things about those bitches and cunts!!!!":wink: (Not original quote. Invisi is kidding all the LPSG post readin' beyotches.)

I get what he's saying and I'm not having a go at invisi at all. He certainly is far from being the only one who'd use a scale like that.

I learned a lot in my studies about prejudices and derogatory language that words can lose power especially when you twist them around and use them against the user. Let's just say that my life experience-- people used to toss a many derogatories around and I just get creative with the derogatory retorts.

Return them back to the sender even better than it was sent to you--I always say. So, whenever anyone feels the need to call women "bitches" and "cunts"...turn it around on them...get creative...call them "mancunted motherbitches". Soon, you will be writing dialogue for Quentin Tarantino screenplays and creating some outrageous gangsta rap lyrics.

But I'm curious as to why 'cunt' is the ultimate insult? For a man or a woman?

Because they do not possess Tongue Fu or MMA (Mouth Martial Arts). First of all, you have to deflect the power of the word expressed. Like if some person calls you a derogatory...you laugh at the person while remaining calm. And if the person can use the word...you can use it back at them. But always send it back to the user even better than it was sent to you.

Example: Let's say you were walking and you stepped on Queen Elizabeth's toes by accident and she called you a...

QE: Oi!!!You fuckin' cunt! Bloody watch where you fuckin' goin'.

ManlyBanisters: (amused knowing TONGUE FU skills...laughs at her.) Oh, I am sorry...

(QE is relaxed thinking that she has power over Manly...)

ManlyBanisters: (continues) ...sorry that you have big mancunted feet. And bitch, I am not your fuckin' cunt. (And Manly curtsies...and walks on.)

Firstly, do you agree with that? Do you use cunt as the worse possible thing you can call someone?

No. Cunt is not the worst possible word. I think there are worst words. But the same rules apply to every derogatory out there. If so, why? Is it worse for a man or a woman to be called a cunt? (There's a cultural Nth American / European difference there that I'm already aware of.)

I use the word cunt quite a lot - mostly I use it to refer to my vagina - or to other women's vaginas. Sometimes I use it as an insult (That is Crotchity Tiger/ Hidden Drag Queen TONGUE FU style) , but
that's much rarer because the thing is, you see, I like my cunt. I like cunts generally. I think they are good things. I know there are a lot of cunt fans here - so why is cunt such a bad word?

Most people will agree that being called a 'prick' isn't nearly as bad as being called a 'cunt'. Why? Are male genitalia nicer than female genitalia?
I like looking at them both. Surely the answer to that question is relative to the respondent and should vary for each of us.

Your ideas please, women and men of LPSG - what is it that has led us to view an allusion to the vagina as so much worse than an allusion to the penis?

NB: I know there are quite a lot of gay men (not all, but a significant number) out there who dislike vaginas and think they are yucky. Would those men please be so kind as to refrain from posting 'eeeeyooo, nasty, fishy, yucky, I'm going to hurl at the very thought' type posts. You are entitled to your opinions, far be it from me to shove my cunt down your throats :tongue:, but I somehow doubt that a male homosexual aversion to the vagina is the root cause of the subject I am posting on. Thanks for understanding.


Maybe people have pussy envy. I don't.

 

[psidom]

i think Cunt and Fuck are on the same level of nasty.

but we say fuck wayyyy more than cunt.
my girl calls her pussy a cunt, i dig it,
it is different when i call it a cunt though.

she is open to that as long as my voice rings right.

:smile:

i think what makes it so degrading is that it kind of represents,
a gouge or a gash.

it gives a graphic image of a very mature and unique pussy.
what some may think is "loose" or untidy. lol.

 

[D_Cock_Hudson]

It is probably the nastiest word- language changes over time so it may be replaced at some point. Swearwords about women's parts generally are.

 

[D_Ted Riding Hooded]

There was a programme about this on the BBC television series 'Balderdash & Piffle' a couple of years ago. Germaine Greer discussed the origins of the word, the way it's changed over the years, etc..

 

[StrictlyAvg]

Old but relevant - the home counties accent seems to give the word a bit of a ring, dunno why!

This bloke came up to me

With a posher accent it definitely doesn't sound the same

 

[Tattooed Goddess]

i'll admit cunt has never bothered me much. I didnt even know how insulting it was until i became an adult. Pussy was a horrible word to me until i came to lpsg. Now i realize there is almost no better word when sex talking with someone. It just doesnt sound as cool to say "I would love to feel your balls slapping against my kitty"

As much as people hate the word Vagina i am surprised some of you havent been referred to as one yet.