The dirtiest word

[NotWise]

I searched and was surprised to find nothing on the subject. Maybe I needed to try harder.

My main interest is in the word "cunt" which has a long-standing reputation as the dirtiest word in the English language. More specifically, I wonder how women react to it when it is applied to the girlie parts, not to the woman. I did a broader Google search several months ago on a related subject that brought up some opinions and I was surprised by the result.

How does the audience here react? Are there other words/dirtier words that the audience is sensitive too?

 

[MagicaPractica]

Hmmm, I don't recall ever having anyone react to my use of particular words, such as cunt. Comments are usually more general.

 

[LadyVer]

I searched and was surprised to find nothing on the subject. Maybe I needed to try harder.

My main interest is in the word "cunt" which has a long-standing reputation as the dirtiest word in the English language. More specifically, I wonder how women react to it when it is applied to the girlie parts, not to the woman. I did a broader Google search several months ago on a related subject that brought up some opinions and I was surprised by the result.

How does the audience here react? Are there other words/dirtier words that the audience is sensitive too?

I'm wondering why cunt is the dirtiest word in the English language. Not that I'm a fan of the word because it's primarily used to put women down, for various reasons. Using it in erotica is a different issue. I've been wondering lately what the worst thing a man can be called, that would absolutely drive him insane. I haven't come up with anything yet. I'm willing to be enlightened, though.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I rarely use it. I don't really like it for what it is meant for, degrading a lady. I have found that a female protag might use it herself and it reads right that way, but I don't think I have ever had a male protag use it. Maybe a male villain, who then got the shit kicked out of him.

 

[NotWise]

I've been wondering lately what the worst thing a man can be called, that would absolutely drive him insane. I haven't come up with anything yet. I'm willing to be enlightened, though.

I think 'cunt' was considered a very dirty word because it was an anglo-saxon name for the female genitals, but was sometimes used to refer to the woman, rather than than body parts. It wasn't always considered to be that dirty and well-known authors have used it.

If you apply that same concept to men it totally doesn't have the same effect. Calling a man a dick or a prick is a pretty mild insult.

'Pussy' is often used in the same way and the googling I did suggests that it is at least as offensive as 'cunt', because it has become so over-used.

At least locally, calling a man a fag is pretty polarizing. More generally, words that call his character into question can be pretty strong. 'Coward', for instance.

 

[NotWise]

I rarely use it. I don't really like it for what it is meant for, degrading a lady.

I don't think that was the original use of the word, but it came to be used that way. I've also heard 'pussy' and 'slit' used in exactly the same way. No doubt there are others.

 

[sr71plt]

For starters, do you have some sort of source citation on cunt being the dirtiest word? I can imagine a lot more insulting and repulsive combined-word choices for a cunt and other sex-related words. But I see no reason to give it much thought if I haven't seen anything supporting your premise.

We've recently had a thread trying to establish that cunt shouldn't be used. I use it as a straightforward description as opposed to what I feel is the juvenile, bimboish "pussy." To each his/her own.

 

[Carnevil9]

Living in the US, I find that most women are very offended by the word. Unless you happen to be fucking them at the moment, in which case it seems to be okay. US men seem to consider it a strong profanity, but nothing outrageous.

But, the Englishmen I know seem to toss it around pretty casually, referring to both blokes and broads.

 

[jaF0]

I find 'gun' or 'firearm' to be more offensive.

 

[NotWise]

I find 'gun' or 'firearm' to be more offensive.

You would offend someone by calling them a firearm?

 

[NotWise]

US men seem to consider it a strong profanity, but nothing outrageous.

But, the Englishmen I know seem to toss it around pretty casually, referring to both blokes and broads.

I don't think I've heard a man use 'cunt' verbally in 40 years. Maybe I live in a genteel environment. It was common when I was in high school more than 40 years ago. It seems to have been squelched soon after that.

My usage is US, and I think the "dirtiest word' label is also US.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't think I've heard a man use 'cunt' verbally in 40 years. Maybe I live in a genteel environment. It was common when I was in high school more than 40 years ago. It seems to have been squelched soon after that.

My usage is US, and I think the "dirtiest word' label is also US.

Still haven't cited any source on this.

I guess you don't watch TV if you haven't heard the word used in 40 years.

I think you're pushing a personal opinion as some sort of universal one.

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

I don't think I've heard a man use 'cunt' verbally in 40 years. Maybe I live in a genteel environment. It was common when I was in high school more than 40 years ago. It seems to have been squelched soon after that.

My usage is US, and I think the "dirtiest word' label is also US.

Living in NZ and working in the hospitality industry it gets thrown around like nobody's business. I believe cunt (or coont i think it was pronounced?) was originally an anglo-saxon work for vagina as cock is original anglo-saxon word for penis.

 

[NotWise]

Still haven't cited any source on this

I think you can Google that yourself. I'm not pushing the idea. I used 'cunt' in the first story I posted and have it in my second. I was wondering if it might offend my audience.

 

[sr71plt]

I think you can Google that yourself. I'm not pushing the idea. I used 'cunt' in the first story I posted and have it in my second. I was wondering if it might offend my audience.

No, I think if you make it a premise for your posting here, you can and should cite your sources, not send me off to to establish your premise.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

I'd opt for the word 'nigger'. 'Cunt' is acceptable in some parts of the world, but calling someone a nigger brands you as a fool everywhere.

 

[SamScribble]

In my stamping ground – London and the southern counties – cunt seems to be pretty acceptable, especially among the more educated classes, if you are describing a woman’s vulva as a cunt. But it's not so acceptable - in fact it can be downright offensive - if you are calling the woman ‘a cunt’.

And, as for ‘offending your audience’, talk to JBJ. I suspect that he might say that if you’re not offending your audience, you’re not trying hard enough.

 

[NotWise]

calling someone a nigger brands you as a fool everywhere.

Agree. That word can get you killed in some contexts.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

For a word to be 'dirty', it has to do two things... Offending people is easy (if somewhat simpleminded), but polarizing people is much more powerful. Create a divide. Make sure that the two sides HATE one another.

In America, that means Abortion, homosexuality, and race. Abortion doesn't yield much. Slut maybe. But Faggot and Nigger... Those words have power. Evil power, but real power nevertheless.

 

[LadyVer]

For a word to be 'dirty', it has to do two things... Offending people is easy (if somewhat simpleminded), but polarizing people is much more powerful. Create a divide. Make sure that the two sides HATE one another.

In America, that means Abortion, homosexuality, and race. Abortion doesn't yield much. Slut maybe. But Faggot and Nigger... Those words have power. Evil power, but real power nevertheless.

This is an erotica forum. I can understand discussing words like cunt because this is a word that is used specifically to offend women, while at the same time it's used in erotica dialogue and narration. If you think abortion, and the women who choose abortion, or have to have them, aren't on the hate radar with nigger and faggot, you are naive. And to change the topic from dirty words to generally offensive as hell is just as naive.

 

[NotWise]

Oh gosh. I may have found a question that shouldn't be asked.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I find 'gun' or 'firearm' to be more offensive.

Figures.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

LadyVer... The words I mention have been used in this forum many times unfortunately. Indeed, there are a couple of posters who have made a habit of using both words just to get under people's skin. That's why I point out that these words are 'dirty' and have power. Much more than the anatomical words that we use here.

Context.

 

[Hypoxia]

IMHO the most offensive words project unbounded arrogance. 'Cunt' as a pejorative shows the (likely male) speaker's arrogant disregard of women, all women, not just his target. 'Christian' as in "I'm not perfect, just saved" projects an ideology-based arrogance, as does most right-wing ranting. Any word that dehumanizes and diminishes the target is dirty.

 

[LadyVer]

LadyVer... The words I mention have been used in this forum many times unfortunately. Indeed, there are a couple of posters who have made a habit of using both words just to get under people's skin. That's why I point out that these words are 'dirty' and have power. Much more than the anatomical words that we use here.

Context.

Well, I'm sure the word "cow" would be included in the newly defined dirty word list.