Is it sexist to use the word "balls" or "cojones" ...

[NurseJackie]

Is it sexist to use the word "balls" (or "ballsy'') or "cojones" when referring to someone's courage? What about when specifically referring to a woman's courage?



PS: Speaking of balls, have you seen those plastic "truck-nuts" things that some folks like to hang from the trailer hitch of their pick-up trucks (mostly)?

At first I was like: "Huh? What the hell is that?"... then: "it looks like, NO! It can't be!"... then: "OMG, it is! That's stupid!" and finally "My husband better not ever try to hang one of those on his truck if he knows what's good for him!"

[Chemisse]

1. I like to use the word 'huevos' for women.

Because I like the sentiment behind cojones but want to counteract its sexist aspect.

[NurseJackie]

2. I like that! Thanks!

[Lucky Luciano]

7. I think in Mexico they say "Huevos" as slang for balls. nt

[Chemisse]

13. Hmmm, I don't know how to interpret that.

Does that make it sexist if it is used on women or sexist that it is used on men?

[Lucky Luciano]

15. Mind blown...

[Foolacious]

23. Correct. N/T

[lunatica]

31. You beat me too it.

[forgotmylogin]

35. "Huevos" actually translates to "eggs"

As in huevos rancheros.

It also is a less-common euphemism for testicles, so is actually kind of perfect to use to represent "ballsiness" for men or women.

[Lucky Luciano]

40. Yes of course it means eggs...but it seems the common slang for balls too!

[Tipperary]

3. It is "cojones."

Not cajones. Different meaning.

[NurseJackie]

5. Thanks. (But glad it was clear in context.)

I'll fix it in a minute.

[irisblue]

4. I like & use Titanium Ovaries. YMMV

[LibFarmer]

6. I have called women with courage those words

and never thought of it as sexist.

I think the literal meaning is lost after long term usage in colloquial domain.

There are many words that are similar like "Trump has sh*t all over the constitution" or "Republicans have f*cked the oath of office."

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. For me, it depends on the audience.

[marble falls]

9. It may not be sexist but it is a comment on mindless bravado as opposed to principipled ...

courage.

Truck nuts are usually installed by dicks. I hope that isn't sexist.

[NurseJackie]

10. Yes... who lack driving skills and courtesy.

Truck nuts are usually installed by dicks. I hope that isn't sexist.

Yes... who lack driving skills and courtesy.

A somewhat genteel "church lady" friend of mine surprised me when those things first started showing up... I was riding with her and we were at a stop-light behind one of those jacked-up trucks with truck nuts hanging at eye-level. She laughed and said (as if he could hear her) "Sorry about your penis size!"

[marble falls]

11. She calls 'em as she sees 'em. Honesty is refreshing.

[Celerity]

12. an even more horrid truck trend

is wrong with some in our nation!!

[NurseJackie]

14. Jesus.

WTF is wrong with some in our nation!!

I know! What a sad sad commentary it is when grotesque violence against women is considered to be humorous or something to ridicule. The message is clear:

"Hey everyone! Look at me! It looks like I've bound and gagged and beat a woman and tossed her in the back of my truck! Look at that! Oh don't be so sensitive! She ain't dead! She's just raped and tired!"

"By the way, I suppose you've already figured out that I'm overcompensating because I'm an incel with a very a small penis."

Jesus, I hate people sometimes!

[Blue_Tires]

20. I didn't think it was possible for me to find something

more offensive than the Confederate Navy Jack, but this is it...

[marble falls]

24. I think these drivers are telling us a lot more about themselves than they think.

[NewJeffCT]

16. I'm a guy and I think it is sexist

why are balls associated with bravery?

Why can't we stick with gender neutral terms like "backbone" or "spine" or "guts" ?

[forgotmylogin]

37. Some words actually have a better mouthfeel...no pun intended.

As a writer, I am sometimes conflicted between an offensive term with great rhythm, and risking being offensive, in both writing and everyday, casual cursing.

Some words are more cathartic to grind between your teeth than others. I especially waver using bitch, motherfucker, and goddamn.

"Goddammit" especially affords a wonderful optional pause for emphasis in the middle that "damn" does not.

"Bitch" when used non-derogatorily is especially fun. "Get in the car, bitches! We're going shopping."

"Shut the fuck up!" is so good to say as an exclamation of surprise, it evolved the rhythmic euphemism "shut the front door!" which can be used anywhere. I have also heard "motherlover" in place of it's equivalent.

"Bastard!" and "dick!" are also great to say as non-directed curses without being meant literally.

[dawg day]

17. Betty White pointed out that balls are actually very fragile

she said something like, why do we talked about balls as meaning strength and courage, when they're easily hurt must be protected at all times.

In contrast, she said, pussies are considered a term for weakness, when in fact they're really strong and give birth to seven or eight pound babies, without much complaint, and then are willing to do it again.

Let's face it, balls are weak, pussies are strong.

[NurseJackie]

18. That's fantastic!

[John Fante]

26. That's probably why the phrase "brass balls" is used.

To denote how impervious to pain (and thus tougher) these pair of balls are from the others. Lol

[Blue_Tires]

19. Last I checked, ovaries are spherical-shaped

so why can't they be "balls" too??


(I've been asking this question on DU for 15 years and nobody has ever answered...)

[forgotmylogin]

39. As above "huevos" means "eggs" and can be a euphemism for "balls" so it can be everything!

Funny how eggs and balls are both fragile and vulnerable items but can mean the opposite idiomatically!

[Nuggets]

21. No I don't think it's sexist

but I do like
comedian Hal Sparks:


“Hey you need to grow a pair. Grow a pair, Bro.” It’s when someone calls you weak, but they associate it with a lack of testicles. Which is weird, because testicles are the most sensitive things in the world. If you suddenly just grew a pair, you’d be a lot more vulnerable. If you want to be tough, you should lose a pair. If you want to be real tough, you should grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.”

I hate the truck balls, whats the purpose?

[NurseJackie]

22. Overcompensating?

I hate the truck balls, whats the purpose?

Overcompensating?

[leftyladyfrommo]

25. I think it is.why would women need to grow

balls when they are stronger than men in almost every way except physical strength.

[John Fante]

27. I normally use the term in a negative sense.

Like, "he has the balls to spout that bullshit?". For women, I switch the word to "nerve".

I don't think it's sexist necessarily.

[Kurt V.]

28. Improve your vocabulary. fixed.

[marylandblue]

29. I don't think it's sexist, but I say "gonads" just in case someone disagrees.

I also say "grow a pair."

[912gdm]

41. I bet you do

so woke

[marylandblue]

43. And I'll bet you are only this snide because you have nothing better to do at 3:25 AM

Last edited Thu May 9, 2019, 10:35 AM - Edit history (1)

May I suggest you surf the web for porn instead like normal insomniacs?

[GemDigger]

30. I think of that now when I use it but it can be used in so many ways. I use a z for guts/courage.

He/they has/have no ballz.

She has bigger ballz than most men I know. (My favorite)

[TheBlackAdder]

32. No way! Even Ash says so!

.

Starting at 1:46

"When danger calls, you must have the balls of an ox, or a bear or any large mammal!"

.

[femmedem]

33. Yes, but I don't offense or think much about it. I take people's intent into account.

Why ruin a good conversation by saying, "Hey, off topic, but why do you equate courage with masculinity?" People who use the phrase don't generally mean it to be sexist, and I don't think using it indicates that the person is likely to be sexist. I think it just means people aren't thinking about the phrase's literal meaning.

I say guts, spine or backbone. Usually spine.

[lame54]

34. Please don't take my balls

[misanthrope]

36. What's wrong with "backbone" or "nerve?"

"Spine" and others will suffice as well.

[NurseJackie]

38. I don't know. I read on DU that "Warren had balls" and so I asked the group.

I wouldn't have even thought of it otherwise.

[Skittles]

42. YES

male body parts are not required for courage - and wtf, balls are like THE most delicate body part of all!!!!!!