The C word - and I don’t means COVID or Christmas!

Atqui

Gagajo Don’t we all moderate our language according to the occasion . I m sure my AC use F* at home but don’t say it in front of the children or me. ( although I use it at home).
I don’t know why being offended by a word perpetuates a patriarchal ideology.

I think you may have misunderstood, Atwui. The word itself has nothing to do with patriarchy. It is the way in which the word has come to be used as the most offensive insult that reveals the attitudes to women of those who use it.

Why is a word for a woman’s sex organs be deemed obscene? Why is the word referred to by initials? Why is it such a taboo? In a society in which women were respected as equals, and in which there was not so much endemic misogyny, the word would not have such power.

Gagajo Don’t we all moderate our language according to the occasion . I m sure my AC use F* at home but don’t say it in front of the children or me. ( although I use it at home).
I don’t know why being offended by a word perpetuates a patriarchal ideology.

No absolutely loath the word and hate it when I’ve heard it in a film or play. I’m no prude and can and will drop the occasional F word but that’s about it, same with DH, and like Ellan’s dad the worst I heard at home from my father was damn!

One of the girls in my office used it during a row with another colleague! I was gobsmacked to say the least. Vile word!

Exactly Doodledog. Patriarchy has turned a word that describes female genitalia into the rudest word in English. NOT a coincidence.

I don't use it either, but not because I am offended by it. Mostly I don't use it because I would get in trouble at work if I did.

All this being offended by a word that means a fanny is just perpetuating the dominant misogynistic ideology, that female genitalia are somehow disgusting.

When speaking the C word in everyday language ( rather than in a sexual manner ) the order of the letters it contains cannot be spoken in a way that sounds pleasant , if we were to put an R after the C we would get the word Crunt which sounds quite inoffensive , however it would lack the emotional implication of the original , which seems to be universally understood.!

I don't mind the word - as others have said, it's just a word. What I do mind is that it's used as the ultimate insult. That says such a lot about the patriarchal society we live in, and the position of women within it.

What is worse, IMO, is when people say that they never usually say it, but on this occasion (ie when something or someone is really really, really beyond the pale) they will make an exception. To me, that shows a total lack of understanding of the issue.

A number of younger friends of mine have 'reclaimed' the word, but I can't get on board with that either. Maybe in 10 years time it will no longer be 'the most offensive insult in the language', but until that happens I won't be using it.

Suzie is stalking me. She thinks I dont know.
I think we are interested in similar topics, feminism and other topics that irritate people.

Atqui

Been meaning to ask - what does OoRoo mean?

It means toodle pip or similar in Australian.
It's been discussed several times and I'm still not sure...

Galaxy

Your post has made me smile fanny.

Thank you Galaxy
I do feel that I'm slightly misunderstood on here.
Do you and Suzie go around as a pair in here?
As an aside; I heard Annie from Carnforth on O'Brien's show yesterday. I was very pleased to hear from her. I realise that this is a bit niche.

It was known as the worst word in the English language, re sixteenth century references to Catherine Howard and Francis Dereham, yet now it is slipping into common usage.

Extremely uncouth to use it.

Fanny I often wondered about the origin of your username, so thanks for the interesting info. Do you have the Titian locks ?

Been meaning to ask - what does OoRoo mean?

Your post has made me smile fanny.

Oh just stop it Rufus

a whole new innuendo there
I don't know what you mean!
Now I'm all fired up being a Night Owl, but I really must get some sleep, not wishing to be rude.
It's now May Day, (and Labour Day!) so;
"Pinch, punch first day of the Month and no returns!"

I seem to recall one about "spitting" and also "first lot runaway! I can't be going mad 'cos I had a successful brain scan recently!
Oh well
OoRoo!

I'll let you into a secret Rufus...
?
It's not my real name!
Fanny was a Pre-Raphaelite muse and in the parlance of the day, something of a 'stunner'.
I wanted my username to be a bit special to me; and also be a bit memorable.
I didn't actually give it all that much thought at the time, but I'm really glad that I chose it now.
It wasn't Fanny's real name either - I believe that she was born Sarah Cox, so you've got a whole new innuendo there...

most men are careful how they use it
"Pussy!"
Reminds me of a sea-side postcard I saw on Blackpool promenade many, many years ago; funny how some things stick in the brain, or where-ever!
Two ladies talking, one holding a cat and saying " Ever since we got married all he wants to do is stay home and play with my pussy!"! Sorry if you feel demeaned!

Now where was I? Qh yes!.
Fanny C. You're playing hard to get! You know what I meant. If not, I'll visit you on Night Owls in the wee small hours and I'll explain. Guaranteed to prevent you from nodding off!
Incidentally, I guess the girls at school had great fun with your name!? That euphemism must be obsolete by now!
Cheers

Katie59 ^ it is not a word anyone would use to describe that part of your anatomy, ^
except Miriam Margolyes ?

In common language a man might call another a Dick or Dickhead or many other mild insults and that would probably be laughed off. Calling someone a C* is the most offensive insult you can make, it is fighting talk, so most men are careful how they use it. Its unfortunate that it also describes genitalia, but that is the way it has evolved, it is not a word anyone would use to describe that part of your anatomy, personally I like pussy.

Nope, I still don't understand what you mean R***s

have I got the wrong end of the stick
Fanny C.
You most definitely have! I've got the other, right, end and as far as I can tell (male intuition) a majority of the messages are focussed on the word being used as an insult and intended to shock!
In my experience it's often preceded with "stupid"
I should know having been a recipient at times, would you believe!!
Please; no asterisks in any reply!
Here's to your Good Health;
OoRoo

Rufus the use of the c word is very much a feminist issue, that's why it is being discussed here.
Do you not approve, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Not too long ago my account was suspended for telling jokes, some of the traditional "dumb blonde" variety, which some readers thought funny.
However, I was charged with "demeaning women"!
It seems to me that some women here are making a better fist of demeaning themselves than I ever did.
We all know it's an insulting word so why am I being told by some repeatedly that they never even use it at home? Nor do we, but neither do I feel any need to publicise that.
Why continue to dwell on the topic; , asterisks don't change a thing!
OoRoo

Grumppa