Why is the c-word so bad?

[The Emerald World]

In my personal experience (I'm from America, by the way), the c-word ("cunt") seems to be a ruder, more inappropriate word to some people than any other. I've wondered about this. Why would it carry so much more weight than a word like "fuck"? Is it because the hard c sound makes it sound harsher? I've heard that some people think it's sexist or something, but I fail to see how that's any different than calling somebody a dick. I genuinely don't know why its use seems to be so heavily stigmatized compared to other words.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the matter. What do you think, NSG?

(I hope this thread doesn't count as excessive swearing)

[36 Camera Perspective]

It's most likely just arbitrary.

[Martune]

Well if you look at what the c-word means, then yeah, it is bad. It'd be the same as calling someone a "mean cat name here".

[36 Camera Perspective]

Well if you look at what the c-word means, then yeah, it is bad. It'd be the same as calling someone a "mean cat name here".

But there seems to be a stronger stigma around calling somebody a cunt than a pussy.

[Bressen]

i personally think that no words are bad on their own, but only become bad based on the context around them - with the case of cunt and dick, it's based on the context on insults.
as to why some people may be more inclined to be more insulted by the word cunt than the word dick, i'm not entirely sure. there's no doubt going to be social reasons behind it (which is just as vague as saying ''well, there's a reason).

imo words are words. live and let live.

[The Emerald World]

Well if you look at what the c-word means, then yeah, it is bad. It'd be the same as calling someone a "mean cat name here".

But by that logic, "twat" should be just as bad, but it doesn't really seem like that's the case.

[Schiltzberg]

The reason why it is so bad is because it is such a slang word and is very vulgar, since its definition is literally "a dirty vagina." To call someone this is very offensive, and it is probably the most vulgar word in the language.

[Northern Lolonia]

I played Soccer overseas, and picked up that word pretty easily...


Needless to say I don't see it as that bad, but my US Friends do. I think it's a culture thing.

[New haven america]

Well if you look at what the c-word means, then yeah, it is bad. It'd be the same as calling someone a "mean cat name here".

We have other words for vaginas, you know that right?

We also have other words for penises.

[New Clearland]

I am American and the only times I heard it used as a curse word are when I am watching British movies.

[Grinning Dragon]

In my personal experience (I'm from America, by the way), the c-word ("cunt") seems to be a ruder, more inappropriate word to some people than any other. I've wondered about this. Why would it carry so much more weight than a word like "fuck"? Is it because the hard c sound makes it sound harsher? I've heard that some people think it's sexist or something, but I fail to see how that's any different than calling somebody a dick. I genuinely don't know why its use seems to be so heavily stigmatized compared to other words.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the matter. What do you think, NSG?

(I hope this thread doesn't count as excessive swearing)

As an American, I have used the word cunt for around 30+ years. Out of all of my friends and family, there have only been two people who expressed displeasure on my usage of the word.

[Izweababa]

Well, I think its phonoaesthetics. There's probably a connection with how the word sounds which makes it more offensive.

[Anywhere Else But Here]

I suppose you need a hierarchy of swear words. One word has to be considered "the worst". If not cunt, then something else.

I don't think the word is particularly offensive or sexist, though.

[Martune]

Well if you look at what the c-word means, then yeah, it is bad. It'd be the same as calling someone a "mean cat name here".

We have other words for vaginas, you know that right?

We also have other words for penises.

What? Really?

[New haven america]

We have other words for vaginas, you know that right?

We also have other words for penises.

What? Really?

Vagina: Pussy, twat, axwound, cooter, gooch, etc...
Penis: Cock, dick, choad (Chode for a small penis), etc...

[Martune]

What? Really?

Vagina: Pussy, twat, axwound, cooter, gooch, etc...
Penis: Cock, dick, choad (Chode for a small penis), etc...

Y-yeah I know there are other words. Thanks for your help tho

[Anywhere Else But Here]

What? Really?

Vagina: Pussy, twat, axwound, cooter, gooch, etc...
Penis: Cock, dick, choad (Chode for a small penis), etc...

TIL something I would rather not have...

[Zhopgrad]

I've heard that some people think it's sexist or something, but I fail to see how that's any different than calling somebody a dick. I genuinely don't know why its use seems to be so heavily stigmatized compared to other words.

The Feminist Movement made the word a "word you c*nt say" because I am sure we all know what it refers to.
But in other places it is completely acceptable, in Australia I believe it's not even an insult, so say you are with your buddies in Australia, watching some sports game, and someone scores, your friends might say "Yea, Cunt! That's how you play Rugby!"
Or something like that, I apologize if I sound like an Idiot as I type this.

[New haven america]

Vagina: Pussy, twat, axwound, cooter, gooch, etc...
Penis: Cock, dick, choad (Chode for a small penis), etc...

TIL something I would rather not have...

Heheheh >:P

[Calladan]

In my personal experience (I'm from America, by the way), the c-word ("cunt") seems to be a ruder, more inappropriate word to some people than any other. I've wondered about this. Why would it carry so much more weight than a word like "fuck"? Is it because the hard c sound makes it sound harsher? I've heard that some people think it's sexist or something, but I fail to see how that's any different than calling somebody a dick. I genuinely don't know why its use seems to be so heavily stigmatized compared to other words.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the matter. What do you think, NSG?

(I hope this thread doesn't count as excessive swearing)

It's considered fairly offensive over in ehre in the UK as well. Most people avoid using it (at least in polite company, and even less polite company) and it is rarely used in films, while s**t, f**k, t**t and p*s*y are used with gay abandon.

I think it is just cultural.

On a side note - apparently using s**t in fanfic aimed at 13-15 year olds is now perfectly acceptable, which really surprised me. If I am writing anything for under 15s, I don't use anything stronger than "bastard", "bugger" or "crap". And definitely no s**t, f**k or c**t - actually, I don't think I have EVER used c**t in a fanfic - ever (at least not as far as I can remember, but I rarely write 18 rated fics).

But my point is even with swearing apparently becoming more common (and it really is - I was sat on the bus and a girl in a school uniform who I would guess was a 4th or 5th year, making her 15 or 16, ended every sentence with f**k or a variant thereof) the c-word is still far less used than most others.

[Internationalist Bastard]

It's a curse. You use it to curse

[Neutraligon]

For the same reason other non-religious words are considered bad, because it was used as an insult.

[The Holy Empire of the Spaghetti Monster]

Because swearwords are completely arbitrary.

[Cetacea]

I've heard that some people think it's sexist or something, but I fail to see how that's any different than calling somebody a dick. I genuinely don't know why its use seems to be so heavily stigmatized compared to other words.

The Feminist Movement made the word a "word you c*nt say" because I am sure we all know what it refers to.
But in other places it is completely acceptable, in Australia I believe it's not even an insult, so say you are with your buddies in Australia, watching some sports game, and someone scores, your friends might say "Yea, Cunt! That's how you play Rugby!"
Or something like that, I apologize if I sound like an Idiot as I type this.

Yeah nah, Use of vulgar insults as terms of endearment is part of the rites of Mateship and should not be taken as implying acceptability across the whole culture. So even though calling ones friends Cunt is quite common in the antipodes the words is still generally considered to be vulgar and not something you would call your mother.

Saying "You're a fucking good Mum" would be acceptable whereas saying "Mum, You're a fucking good Cunt" is likely to earn yourself a clip around the ear.

[Kanadorika]

Because you are not Scottish and people will frown upon you for trying to say the word cunt without using the clever wordplay the Scots have become known for.