dreamdancer 0 #1 September 7, 2009 QuoteThe c-word is enjoying a rebirth. Doubly appropriate, given one of its main functions. There've been a few decades' of feminist effort to reclaim derogatory words -- much like with "queer" or the n-word -- including by uber feminist Germaine Greer, and by Inga Muscio, who wrote a whole book about it. But the word has only recently started surfacing tentatively, naughtily and giddily in ordinary North American conversation. It's questionable whether it's about feminism, the bored tendencies of pop culture denizens, always looking for new ways to impress and shock, or the sexualization of culture. Nonetheless, men and women I know are trying it out, of late. Dropping the c-bomb, then furtively glancing around to gauge impact and collateral damage. Trying to appear casual when they feel anything but. Magazines and newspapers are starting to use it, but still in hangman code (c---), or through hints and verbal gymnastics, similar to "He Who Should Not Be Named" in Harry Potter. And as you can see, though I'm all for treating the c-word as the equivalent, "dick," I still don’t feel right using the actual four letters here. Unless you're a Brit It's still "the rudest, crudest, most taboo term in the English language, the superstar of four-letter words," Kathleeen Deveny explains in a Newsweek piece. "It is a radioactive epithet, guaranteed to get you a trip to HR and maybe even a slap in the face. It was at the heart of the controversy over Lady Chatterley's Lover, and it helped get Tropic of Cancer banned. The plot of Atonement, Ian McEwan's lovely and devastating novel, pivots on the term. (In the movie, the word is never spoken, but the camera zooms in as the protagonist pounds it out on a typewriter.) When a book alleged that John McCain had once called his wife Cindy one, the outrage was bipartisan." Of course, this stigma doesn't exist over the pond. About a decade ago, when I was living in London, I heard a man call another man the c-word casually, which broke all the rules I knew. Man? Minor infraction? Joking? Teenage-like, I got a naïve thrill from the naughtiness. Then, I started to become almost immune to the word I heard it so much. And Newsweek reports usage is increasing even there: it's been used in The Guardian, the 188-year old British daily, 61 times this year. And a few weeks ago, it appeared for the first time on the cover. http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/142385/do_you_use_the_dirty_c%2A%2A%2A_word/stay away from moving propellers - they bite blue skies from thai sky adventures good solid response-provoking keyboarding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 0 #2 September 7, 2009 Quotethe Dirty C*** Word? "Communist"? I've seen a resurgence in its use in Speakers' Corner lately. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gkc1436 3 #3 September 7, 2009 Only in traffic.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lost_n_confuzd 0 #4 September 7, 2009 I say the c-word, cunt, quite often. Although not as frequently as the F-bomb or other four letter words. I usually use it on the same level as a justified "asshole", like when someone cuts you off while driving, or in this case when a women cuts me off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #5 September 7, 2009 cunt, succinct and powerful, is one of my favorite words. I use it sparingly, not because of its offense level, but because overuse will dilute its power. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tkhayes 115 #6 September 7, 2009 since we discovered that our bookkeeper was embezzling money, I have used it surprisingly often...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #7 September 7, 2009 ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trigger 0 #8 September 7, 2009 Use it alot, for example when i'm being verbally abused to the point where i'm considering violence i re-tort: Do you take me for some sort of c*$t The answer better be no, at that point. Or one of my favourites is the line ' Bag of c*$t ' As bad as it gets .CHOP WOOD COLLECT WATER. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #9 September 8, 2009 Well... I guess if even nuns use it... why not? I probably could somehow work it into my work day. ummmmm. No. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #10 September 8, 2009 I used to use it occasionally. Then I visited an English buddy and heard the foul word so frequently that I was taken aback the first couple of days or so. I was immune to its effect within 3 or 4 days. Interestingly, I never hear it from American men. But I certainly hear it from American women. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites