Another Way to Look at the Use of the "B" word to describe a man.

[MineralMan]

Use it on DU with reference to a woman, and the thread will be hidden by a jury.

Use it to define a man, and it is likely to be left on view.

Why? Because that word is treated as misogynistic when used to describe a woman. It is generally taken to mean that the woman in question is not a submissive person who keeps her opinions to herself. If a woman asserts herself, some will use that word to describe her.

When used to describe a man, it generally refers to a man who IS submissive and unassertive. Or one who is a coward.

That is why the word is seen by women as a slur on women in the first place, no matter how it is used. When applied to a woman, it means she is acting like a man. When applied to a man, it means that he is acting like the mistakenly stereotypical woman who is submissive and weak. In both cases, the word is insulting to women and reflects the attitudes of our patriarchal society.

It is an ugly word which actually describes a female dog, not human beings. That is the only use of the word that is not misogynistic.

[LakeArenal]

1. I think there is too much hysteria about words.

But I understand that words can be more hurtful than a slap. Still individual words are too often parsed and analyzed.

[MineralMan]

2. I'm not being hysterical in any way.

And, by the way, "hysterical" is also a slur against women. You can look that up, if you like. Here's a link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_hysteria

Given the number of insulting words available in the English language, a little thought will always find a suitable insult that is not gender-related, it seems to me.

Most people do not think about the underlying shades of meaning in the words they use, especially when using insulting words. They should think about that, I think.

[LakeArenal]

11. You prove my point. I'm talking individual words

It happens all the time. My point isn’t about the word hysteria. I didn’t call anyone hysterical. You took the word hysteria and immediately focused on the one word. Changed the word and then called it a slur.

[llmart]

19. +1

My son and I were watching a male comedian on TV and he was hilarious. At the end of the program we both said, "That show was absolutely hysterical."

It had nothing to do with a slur on women or a mental medical condition. We both knew what we both meant.

We all need to stop parsing every post and word on DU and focus on the big picture. Sometimes I get the impression that certain DUers are competitively trying to "outliberal" (I made that word up) each other in a way for them to feel superior in their liberalness.

[LakeArenal]

24. Yes.

[Jilly_in_VA]

30. Hear, hear!

I get really tired of having to "watch my language" and being told to do so every whipstitch because I
might offend someone". I understand the BIG OFFENDERS--the racial slurs, the ethnic slurs, that stuff. But come on, everyone, now everything is "offensive" to someone, it seems. I could probably pick a word to be offensive to me; I'm 79 and don't like being called "elderly" because I don't feel that way, but I'm not going to make a cause out of it.

Can we all stop being uptight about every single word?

[llmart]

41. Amen.

Or is that going to be a word that atheists will take me to task for? LOL (FYI, I'm an atheist).

I think we just add more fuel to the other side's fire and gives them more ways to attack us on social issues. Social issues are all they really have to go on and they take that and run with it. We've lived through their denigration of political correctness and now wokeness.

[FoxNewsSucks]

43. "Can we all stop being uptight about every single word?"

No shit. I've seen so many good posts removed, because of someone who probably didn't even get the point due to their rush to be "offended".

I've also seen other post remain in the same thread using the same word in the same context. The double standards need to go.

[Celerity]

104. I recall a thread where someone was whingeing on about the word 'sucks' being misogynistic

talk about pedantic nonsense taken to an absurd degree



it is that type of ridiculousness that will cost us elections if adopted as official messaging

another example

'fear shaming', mentioned negatively (and rightly so) by BannonsLiver (hat tip to them)

what the absolute fuckery is that all about?

that level of ludicrous word policing and openly infantilising (omg, now I am being anti infant! /sarc off) projection is the stuff of destroying our party

[BeerBarrelPolka]

105. +1

[FoxNewsSucks]

111. That's right,

and it just gives ammo to the MAGAts to call liberals "snowflakes".

But the worst is how it wastes time that should be spent thinking about actual problems.

[PatSeg]

66. Yes, it has gotten excessive

and it often feels like people are just listening to individual words, not what is actually being said. This can end up shutting down meaningful conversation.

We all have words that we are sensitive about, but most of us don't go around correcting others because of our own personal preferences. I tend to listen more to a person's intentions and meaning, not their vocabulary choice.

I don't feel "elderly" either, but I understand that to someone in their twenties, thirties, or forties, that is what they see and at their age, I probably did as well. When I was in my fifties, I remember a very young employee referring to me as "old", which really threw me off. She meant it as a compliment though, as she didn't see me as acting or talking like an "old person".

Meanwhile, I'd like to carry on insightful, interesting conversations without feeling that my every word is up for scrutiny or censor. It would be nice if we spent more time actually listening to people, instead of always judging them.

[dalton99a]

49. Yeah, let's ban hysteria, hysterical, hysterically, ...

While the planet is burning and our democracy is hanging by a thread

WTF.

[llmart]

57. Exactly my point.

It's almost August and we have a fight against corruption from the GOP on our hands and a democracy to defend in any way possible. On a forum such as this and at this crucial time in history, we need to focus on coordinating all Democrats to find out what each of us can do to help elect more Democrats - LOTS more Democrats so we can get to work on the extremely important issues like climate change.

I believe that just recently Calimary had an excellent post about what we can be doing right now for Democrats. I bookmarked it myself because I can do more than the one thing I was already doing and I'm going down to my township hall and sign up for being a poll watcher. I'm in Michigan and it's been reported that Republicans in this state have gathered 800 people so far to be poll watchers throughout the state (or maybe it was poll workers/watchers, etc.). I haven't heard that there is a massive effort by Democrats to do the same.

[Celerity]

106. no more Def Leppard for you!

[dalton99a]

109. +1

[FoxNewsSucks]

112. Such a GREAT song!

I think it's their best.

[Celerity]

114. it is one of those 'HYPER 1980's' power ballad classics, lolol

this is actually probably my favourite DL song

and it has COWBELL

lol

DEF LEPPARD - "Let It Go" (Official Music Video)

and this song too

3 great remix videos (I am such a remix fangirl, lol)


Def Leppard - Photograph (KGM Sasha Extended Version) (the video is the dog's bollocks)

Def Leppard - Photograph (Extended Mix Re-Edit) (sledgehammer drums, love it!)

Def Leppard - Photograph (Long Wolf Remix)

[FoxNewsSucks]

115. Those were all excellent,

I've never seen any of them, thanks! I think I liked the first one best.

Photograph was my favorite, until Hysteria. And of course, Animal

I did get a laugh about the cowbell, because any time cowbell and rock songs comes up I think of this MOOOving performance

It's even relevant to this thread because there are always myopic prudes who are offended by the Bob & Tom show. And will likely be "offended" by seeing the term prudes.

[Celerity]

116. here is a wee bit different type of early 1980's tune with some serious cowbell, lol

Italian hardcore punk legends from 1983, on the Welcome To 1984 (a Maximumrocknroll compilation)

Raw Power - Fuck Authority

In 1983 they recorded a 19-track demo (sometimes referred as Brown Studio Tape) and two songs appeared in the Italian punk compilation, Raptus. The tape also included the song «Fuck authority», which appeared in Maximumrocknroll's international punk and hardcore compilation, Welcome to 1984.

[PatSeg]

68. Yes, when something is extremely funny,

I often call it "hysterical" and that has become a fairly common usage of the word.

[ms liberty]

62. I would like to Rec this whole subthread

[arlyellowdog]

3. I didn't know about this debate and I just used "bitch."

I was joking with my sister who is 73 (I’m 72) and she said something teasing me and I said, “Oh, my God, you’re such a bitch.” I’ve said it jokingly on texts to my brothers also. A funny insult word.

[MineralMan]

4. Whether a word is funny or not depends on who is hearing or reading it, I think.

Others might see it differently.

[FoxNewsSucks]

27. The problem is some don't consider context

there is an automatic knee-jerk "I'm offended" reaction even when there is clearly not an intended offensive use.

I find it disappointing that those same "offended" people will use words like "dick" or "Prick" when referring to a man.

I'm personally not offended by any of those words IF the context is the behavior of the individual being insulted. But the double-standard is annoying.

[llmart]

47. +1

Absolutely. Furthermore, I am not going to apologize for a post that I made a couple years ago when I called Trump a prick.

[PatSeg]

71. Yes, I think we need to take into consideration

a person's intention before we pass judgment on the use of certain words. I have had words said to me in the cruelest context imaginable, but I have heard and even used those same words without any problem at all. It was the intention that made the difference.

There are a handful of words that I've never used and never will, as I can think of no harmless intention that would apply.

[Ms. Toad]

113. Using a gendered word as an insult is offensive. Period.

(1) please provide examples of those same "offended" people using dick or prick to refer to a man. For example, I have never referred to a man using a gendered slur.

(2) using gendered/race/etc. terms as insults when those terms are inherently connected to the dominant class is not the same as using a gendered term connected to a historically discriminated against class. Are you offended by the double standard which allows colleges to create affirmative action plans to increase the number of minorities when historical discrimination can be shown - but not to increase the number of white men at the same colleges? It isn't a double standard when the gender of the insulting term is female (or when the race of the insulting term is a minority)

It doesn't matter if you are personally insulted, using bitch as an insult is misogyny. The TOS prohibit misogyny, so I expect not to encounter it here - and to have it condemned when it is used.

[FoxNewsSucks]

117. No. Not always.

Sometimes the gender-identifiable word has no more significance than simply identifying who the bad-behaver is - the male or the female. It is not the point, and has the same use as saying the person in the blue shirt is the one who punched me. As opposed to the person in the red shirt.

It is NOT always about whether they are male or female, but which person the insulter is talking about.

I'll acknowledge that I've never seen you call a guy a "dick" or "prick", but I've also never seen you object to that. If you have, I apologize for missing it.

Using gendered terminology to insult BECAUSE of gender is indeed wrong, but that's not always the case and it doesn't help things to react to every use as if it were.

[Ms. Toad]

120. See point #2 in my original post.

I don't comment about people using white as an insult, either.

Calling Josh Hawley, specifically, a bitch (since that is what seemed to start this recent spate of misogyny) is calling him a weak, cowardly woman. That is the reason that word is being used - because it is associated with stereotypical traits asociated with women - running away from a threat.

Using a female-identified word as an insult IS misogynistic. It is not a neutral description of someone (otherwise it wouldn't be an insult). Specifically, with the word "bitch" - when directed at men is used to bring them "down" to women's level - to imply they are not real men. When directed at women, it is to call out women who are being assertive - i.e. not being silent, not deferring to the men in the room, etc.

[quickesst]

44. I think the wholesale condemnation of certain words..

.... and subsequent wholesale condemnation of those who use them, are short-sighted, overly rigid in their beliefs, and should concentrate more on context, rather than their own narrow view of what certain words convey.
There are certain situations where certain words are used in a mutually humorous situations that occur with male to female, female to male, male to male, or female to female. Believe me, if anyone who takes offense at certain words no matter the context were to butt into a humorous situation occurring between two consenting parties, they would probably be told In not so PC words, to " go f__k themselves", but if another man called my wife a b****, he would find himself staring up at the ceiling in a daze, and wondering what just happened. If a woman were to call my wife a b****, well, she would take care of that herself, and I would just stay out of the way.
There are certain words and phrases, given the size of the population, and the diversity of individuals, that will never be accepted under a specific, or narrow definition. It is an uphill battle for the wrong reasons, and the top of the hill is nowhere in sight.

[BlackSkimmer]

85. Yes, and I've heard a black man use the n word to another black man. Neither was offended.

But just try saying that as a white person to a black person.

When people call a man the b word not in jest, it is meant to infer that they are like a woman, and not in a good way.

There's a world of difference, and you know it.

[BannonsLiver]

90. Surely you corrected the man on his usage of the n word?

[BlackSkimmer]

101. Oh, of course.

Immediately and with feeling.

[BannonsLiver]

102. ...

[BlackSkimmer]

103. Back atcha.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

5. Unless a woman uses it of course ...

I can hardly think of a woman in my life who has never referred to some other woman (and sometimes men) as a bitch. My grandma's generation, no, but they're long passed.

I guess when a woman says it, they don't mean 'not a submissive person who keeps her opinions to herself', they mean 'this chick was mean to me/bugs me in some way'.

So it's entirely different, and obviously no man could EVER use it in the same way as women use it, entirely acceptably, on a regular basis.

I've taken to using the word 'dick' when describing females who are being really mean.

Just so people know that I 'know the rules'.

Which is to say ... pejoratives specific to MALES ... pretty much A-OK in all cases.

[MineralMan]

9. It's quite easy to avoid using all of those gender-related insults,

it seems to me.

And speaking of "dick," my middle name is Richard. That is what people called me in my youth, since I share my full name with my father. So, I was "Richard" to prevent misunderstandings I have always objected to being called "Dick." That dates back to when I was 5 years old and a neighbor woman called me "Dickie." I said, quite pointedly, "My name is Richard!" At 5 years old, I knew that calling someone a "dick" was an insult, and wouldn't have it.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

25. What does the PC Guidebook say about using it in a context like this ...

"Steve wasn't really mad, he just wanted something to bitch about"

Where the context makes it quite clear that it refers to 'complaining', which is an accepted definition of the word.

Is the verb form just as horrific as the noun form, used as a direct insult?

Am I signaling my lack of virtue if I use it in this capacity from time to time?

[MineralMan]

46. Think about the use of it as a verb.

It's the same thing, really. There are many suitable synonyms that can be used instead.

Again, it is used because it fits the stereotype some have of women as whiny complainers. That's why it's used in that way.

How about using "complaining" or "grousing" or whatever other synonym? Shades of meaning.

[llmart]

50. Jaysus...

we're not writing a PhD thesis on our DU posts. Some of us don't have the time or inclination to sit around and ponder everything we post on DU, with a thesaurus and dictionary on hand to make sure we have found the perfect word to express our outrage.

[LakeArenal]

70. ✔️

[Jilly_in_VA]

87. My whole point earlier

Can we just STOP being offended over every little word?Jaysus, people! Get a grip already.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

91. +1

[inthewind21]

127. Words

That's all they are. Words. Words which can, and have changed in meaning and use over time. I for one can find plenty to be offended over without having to hang on every word spoken. I highly recommend Netflix "The history of swear words" See how they started, what they originally meant, how that meaning changed over time and how they were used then and now. This tenancy to take EVERYTHING to extremes is completely unproductive and serves no purpose. Just ask the Me Too movement what going overboard gets you.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

135. I

I couldn't agree more.

[Polybius]

118. I didn't even know that dick meant penis when you were a kid

I would have thought that that slang term didn't start until the late 60's.

[MineralMan]

124. It did, though.

That has been around for a very long time.

[milestogo]

6. Look at the way the military uses it.

You call a male soldier a bitch, you are insulting him. He's weak and inferior. In other words, he's a woman. And its not because of how he is acting. Its because the greatest insult to a military man is to call him a woman. So, over and over, the military reinforces the idea that women are inferior.

[MineralMan]

10. Yes. Exactly.

[Sympthsical]

7. Was there a sale on charcoal fluid?

[MineralMan]

14. I don't know. I never use it.

I don't like the smell.

[Sympthsical]

17. As a kid, I always liked to see how high I could get the flames

So I'm always happy to see when someone else likes that, too.

[Croney]

8. +1

[Bobstandard]

12. OP makes a great point

Both usages are pretty indefensible.

I heard it used positively once. On a walk one day my Kerry Blue Terrier, one of a notoriously loud breed, was yap, yap, yapping at just about anything when we ran into a woman walking three Kerrie’s of her own. We stopped to chat. Regarding my dog Mimi admiringly, in a broad English accent she said, “oh and she’s a mouthy bitch, isn’t she?”

[mucifer]

13. Sometimes words like bitch can be empowering. It depends how you use it . I have a

t shirt that says

Feminist
She Devil
Vegan

If it had a line on it for bitch I would have bought it .

I remember being at the women's march and someone offered me a vegan leaflet and I pointed to the shirt I was wearing and she started cracking up.

[ecstatic]

15. I've referred to mitch as Moscow's B...

I apologize if that offended anyone, but damn, don't we have more pressing concerns right now? We can resume all the handwringing and circular firing when our democracy is secure.

[MineralMan]

16. Not handwringing, and I'm not telling anyone what to do or not do.

I'm simply explaining why many people object to that word. You can make of what I wrote whatever you wish, of course.

[ismnotwasm]

18. Bitch is used very casually among younger groups of people

Without rancor. It’s meaning changes, it can be negative or positive depending on who it using it. I’ve seen women activists say things like “And that’s why you don’t get no bitches dawg” —when referring to terrible men and misogynistic behavior. The speaker is not using either word “‘bitches” or “dawg” to degrade, but to describe a situation.

When using it as a misogynistic/homophobic reference, as you’ve said here, another word should be used probably. I like “potato”, personally.

My female German Shepherd likes water and mud puddles I let her cool down after activity in a couple favorites she has. I got her some bling that says “Muddy Bitch” in hot pink. It’s technically the truth lol.

[Jerry2144]

20. I hate it when I am forced to think

I've used that term to describe complaining about something petty. similar to "piss and moan" about something. But you're right, even in that connotation or context it is demeaning, degrading, and potentially misogynistic since it is negative. I guess griping would be the best word to substitute.

Thanks for opening my eyes - another word I shall strike from my use. I don't even like to use it for a female canine.

[MineralMan]

35. Thanks. Thinking take effort,

but is generally worthwhile, I believe.

[Walleye]

21. Part of the problem for our side as we obsess over a little things like figures of speech

Do you want to hear misogyny listen to what Matt Gaetz said the other night. A lot of it is in the intent, not the words. I find there is much more misogyny in the Supreme Court ruling and they didn’t use any offensive words

[MineralMan]

37. Well, figures of speech carry a great deal of meaning.

They subtly affect our thinking in ways we don't always recognize.

[Walleye]

51. That's a good point.

[IjustDontlikeRepugs]

55. My jaw dropped when I saw that video of Gaetz!

He’s an asshole. Is that word still ok? Lol

[Walleye]

60. You better believe it. There are still way too many think that way and talk that way.

Just using the odd offensive word is not our problem. Women know real misogyny when we see it

[Talitha]

79. "He's an asshole."

Hey, you hurt my sphincter's feelings!

[IjustDontlikeRepugs]

81. Hahahaha

I’m sorry. I’m a pain in the ass.

[madinmaryland]

132. Everyone has an asshole (and an opinion) so nothing

wrong with that!

[G_j]

22. thank you

[MineralMan]

26. My pleasure.

[BannonsLiver]

23. Setting aside the B word for a moment.

Is mocking Hawley for running away “fear shaming” him? He was in fear for his life and took appropriate action by running away. Should people mock that?

[FoxNewsSucks]

29. Had he not incited the mob that then put him in fear, he wouldn't have been mocked.

[BannonsLiver]

31. Agreed

Though I don’t see that distinction being made by those who are attempting to make the fear shaming point in the other thread.

[FoxNewsSucks]

39. I must not have gotten to that one yet.

[inthewind21]

128. NO

It's not "fear shaming" when you get mocked for creating your disaster. What's with all this "shaming" BS? And we wonder why dems are labeled s snowflakes offended by EVERYTHING.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

130. Totally

Some of these responses are pollyanna and sickening. The pomposity and arrogance has made me not want to come here anymore. I'd rather be called a bad name then be shot in the freaking head. There are some delusional people on this site without a doubt that have not experienced what real threats and violence are all about.

I apologize if I offended anyone, but I've dealt with real violence my whole life including being shot.

[BannonsLiver]

131. Ask the people who are pushing it.

I’m in the “pretty much anything goes” camp when it comes to attacking modern trumpublicans.

[MineralMan]

32. He's being mocked because he espouses "manliness" and "masculinity."

He ran like a coward. He could have walked across that hallway in safety. He is a hypocrite. "like a bitch" are entirely the wrong words to use to describe what he did.

It's like saying some man made some other man "his bitch." In saying that, what someone is implying that the second man was made into a subservient sex slave. Again, it insults women in general, and reveals that the person speaking thinks that is the role of a woman.

Words carry a lot of meaning. That makes it important to think about the words we use, it seems to me.

[Elessar Zappa]

34. "Fear shaming"?

Did someone say that on this site?

[Jilly_in_VA]

89. He's lily-livered

Now I'm gonna mock one of the most important organs in your body!

[BannonsLiver]

93. Hey!

I’m offended!

[BeerBarrelPolka]

94. LOL

[madinmaryland]

133. Go have another bottle of scotch!

[BannonsLiver]

134. Don't tempt me with a good time.

[Ziggysmom]

28. Hey there MM. I'd like to share a great paper on the topic, with many points to consider 🤓

Below is a link to the JMU paper. I've come to especially agree with these paragraphs in the conclusion:

"The normalizing of bitch indicates the lack of imagination that results from living under conditions of entrenched inequalities. Why is “bitch” a preferred tool of women’s empowerment? That women would rather call themselves or other women bitches—rather than feminists—suggests that domination and subordination have become the only legitimate options in U.S. society. Even if women who proclaim themselves “bitches” could be taken seriously, that would hardly be a feminist solu- tion; we’d have women divided into the categories of “bitches” (honorary men) and “doormats” (all other women). Sound familiar?
A woman who enjoys the honorary status of man by using “bitch” may have fun with “the girls” or win temporary acceptance from “the guys.” But this individual gain ultimately is part of a collective loss for women. That women use “bitch” re- inforces the idea that women are essentially different from men, and in a negative way: men may act like jerks, but women are “bitches.” And only men who act “like women” (members of the subordinate category) will be accused of “bitching.” Wom- en using men’s pejoratives for women is flattering to men; at the same time, those terms legitimate sexist ideas about women."

https://www.jmu.edu/socanth/sociology/wm_library/ezzell.reclaiming_critical_analysis.pdf

[MineralMan]

33. Very good. Thanks!

[FoxNewsSucks]

36. Like "Jello" "Bandaid" or "Kleenex"

Widespread common use has lessened the meaning of The B-Word.

As with most words, I wish people would look at the entire context before automatically being "offended". And those who are offended should also refrain from calling men "dicks" or other gender terms. If they're genuinely offended, that is.

[MineralMan]

40. I agree that we should be very careful about using gender-related insults.

Wouldn't hurt if we did that.

[ForgedCrank]

38. Although I

find the use of such words to be quite insensitive, it tells me more about the person using it than the person they are referring to with such words.
They are generally either someone I wouldn't care to be around, or simply someone who hasn't really given this much thought.

[MineralMan]

42. Exactly. Which is why eliminating such loaded insults

from what we say is a good idea. There are always better words one can use to insult someone.

[imaginary girl]

45. +1

[Triloon]

48. The anti-vulgarity society is up

bright and early on it's Sunday morning patrol.
Here they are with their aloof and superior attitude, arrogantly believing that lesser persons need the meanings of common words explained.
Yes, insults are insulting. Duh.

[dalton99a]

53. Democrats must purify themselves to perfection and wear 100% certified pure clothes

before they can wrestle with pigs

The F-word can only be used once in a PG-13 movie.

I propose a similar quota: One bad word per annum per member

[MineralMan]

54. Thanks for contributing to the thread.

[Triloon]

97. No Problem.

Always happy to help.

[BannonsLiver]

63. +1

What I find fascinating is the very intense, visceral reaction to a word…followed by yet another very lengthy thread about the word.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

86. +1

[radicalleft]

122. Virtue Signalling at it's finest...

Something that the OP is very proficient at...

[inthewind21]

129. Bingo

[panader0]

52. Besides referring to women, men or female dogs, it can mean something difficult,

such as "climbing that steep hill was a real bitch."

[MineralMan]

56. Yes, it is also used in that way.

Why? I have no idea. I'll think about that.

[Red Mountain]

58. It's hard to insult anybody these days

without being offensive. Sigh.

[MineralMan]

59. Not really, if you think about it a bit.

[ProfessorGAC]

61. Priggish Lecturing (nt)

[MineralMan]

73. I see. Oh, well...

[Hugh_Lebowski]

78. Fair warning ... non-PC speech is referenced in this post. This stuff is not for the timid.

When my hip, young, and openly gay next door neighbor wants me to come over for a cigarette and chat, he'll text me, and it often goes something like this ..

Ryan: F*g?
Me: Mmmm yeah, I'd love to come over for a f*g!
Ryan: I bet you would, sl*t!
Me: You wish, bish!

It's just between the two of us in a private communication, how we talk sometimes to amuse ourselves.

Bearing in mind that I'm hetero-flexible myself ... do I need to refuse to engage in this way, out of like principle or something?

Or maybe practice self-flagellation (or similar penance) afterwards?

[BeerBarrelPolka]

88. +1

[bahboo]

64. if you have gay friends...

you will hear the term bitch used extensively...and creatively.

[BannonsLiver]

80. Of course.

Have heard it many times. My guess is those who are most invested in telling people they can’t use this word don’t have a lot of gay friends, though. And if they do, you know they sure as hell aren’t correcting them when they say it.

[LiberalFighter]

65. In Hawley's case I would go with weenie. It implies more that he is scared.

The b doesn't do that.

[BannonsLiver]

67. You can bet someone would find weenie offensive.

In another thread someone attempted to make the case “suck” is offensive. As in “this movie sucks”.

[PatSeg]

74. Ah, I found someone who is offended!!!

[LiberalFighter]

75. Dachsy would trample Hawley

[PatSeg]

77. Ha, ha, ha!!!

[Jilly_in_VA]

92. So would George Conway's corgis

[rownesheck]

69. What I am getting out of this thread

is that you must be the most cool headed and relaxed person. Your responses to everyone who isn't necessarily in agreement with you seem so calm and measured.

I wish I was like that. I'm usually quick to anger.

Oh, and I'm one who doesn't necessarily agree, but I can see your point. And I'll take it into consideration.

[MineralMan]

72. Some agree with my opinions. Others disagree.

That's fine with me. I learn from everyone and I'm not in a popularity contest here.

It's the discussion that interests me, so...

Thanks for your kind words.

[gay texan]

76. I remember it during the custom van craze!

Man, check out the bitchin' paint on that Chevy G10!!!

[LakeArenal]

107. Or your bitchin' Camaro.

[gay texan]

110. Man....

Awesome van! get some side pipes, some Cragar ss rims, with some T/A's and youll have one bitchin sled!


I miss those days.....

[Iggo]

82. Can't always read the room before throwing out fighting words.

And when you don’t, your message gets gobbled up by the thing that will kill our movement, the Democrats’ weapon of choice for suicide: The Tone Argument.

So have at it, kids!

[jalan48]

83. I think about the seriousness of climate change and then read how offended some are by this

word, and all I can do is shake my head in disbelief.

[MineralMan]

98. I can do more than one thing at a time.

[Celerity]

108. +1000

the OTT word policing (such as people going off about how the word 'sucks' is misogynistic) is an insidious distraction by design

it is a divide et impera gambit launched from within

[BlackSkimmer]

84. Thank you.

Those who use it know exactly what it means.

[MineralMan]

99. Yes. You're right.

[nini]

95. I've never understood why it matters what word is used in an insult

I don’t necessarily pre-think the exact words I’m using when insulting someone.

An insult is an insult and the worse thing I do is throw in lots of f bombs etc. 🙂

I don’t insult someone who doesn’t deserve it and that’s my only rule really. If someone calls me a bitch my reply is a thank you for the compliment. Pisses them off they don’t get to me. I know I have thicker skin than most though.

[MineralMan]

100. Language is a habit.

People use words without thinking. More's the pity.

[nini]

126. True, and I know I don't speak for all women

and wouldn't dream of doing that.

My take is I don't want to be looked on as some fragile female that can be offended by someone's words - that is giving someone power over me in my opinion. Again I have a tougher skin than most.

I had this discussion with a coworker once and she is not as tough as I am so she didn't agree with me. And that's ok because our early years were different etc. One's upbringing etc. plays a part in all this stuff and it's not a one size fits all view.

That being said,, yes we should all be more aware of different opinions - including myself.

[edbermac]

119. I'd use the B word to describe MTG and Josh Hawley

When dealing with Republicans I just can’t help but curse.

[William769]

121. It's a slur whether used on a man or a woman.

PERIOD!

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

123. Yup.

End of story.

[MineralMan]

125. Exactly.

[MerryBlooms]

136. Do you remember the few folks using "Rhonda", when referring

To Ron DeSantis? I sure do. I remember them being told it was offensive, but they doubled down, week after week, until one or two got hidden. Then the other guy, slinked quietly off, and pretended he never used that slur. Do you remember? I sure do. These posts have quietly sunsetted into never happened land. But I remember.