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The empressof all

(29,106 posts)
76. Well consider the product.
Thu Jan 10, 2013, 07:17 PM
Jan 2013

It was originally created to address female genitalia that was thought to be dirty or diseased. I personally think at it's core it's sexist although an individuals intent in using it may not be so because they may be unaware of the history.

For example the term Rule of Thumb is a pretty mainstream term but it's origin is based upon the belief that English law allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick so long as it is was no thicker than his thumb.

So personally, I wince at the term and may think a little poorly of someone who feels they need to use the term in their self expression...it's drifting too far into the mainstream to castigate anyone for using it.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

yes, the politically correct insult is "colostomy bag". unblock Jan 2013 #1
but "colostomy bag" doesn't roll off the tongue. NightWatcher Jan 2013 #12
And if it does, you're kinkier than I ever imagined.... n/t TygrBright Jan 2013 #21
LOL!!!! phleshdef Jan 2013 #45
Colostomy bag is something very different WhoIsNumberNone Jan 2013 #41
uh, unblock Jan 2013 #67
I think it is sort of sexist. LisaLynne Jan 2013 #2
Weird Story... Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #15
Wow, that is a weird (and funny) story. LisaLynne Jan 2013 #16
LOL! OneGrassRoot Jan 2013 #28
That's hilarious! SheilaT Jan 2013 #31
I suppose it depends on your cultural touchstones. MADem Jan 2013 #3
"cultural touchstones" KansDem Jan 2013 #58
I've only ever heard the term used for a man Freddie Jan 2013 #4
Well, that's sort of the point.... TygrBright Jan 2013 #7
Girly boy... loyalsister Jan 2013 #13
I believe 90% of people using those terms don't even know what "douche" means. Nt pkdu Jan 2013 #5
yep relayerbob Jan 2013 #22
same thought here nt Voice for Peace Jan 2013 #29
+1 uponit7771 Jan 2013 #60
exactly abelenkpe Jan 2013 #66
Hahaha, rec'd just because! babylonsister Jan 2013 #6
does anyone douche anymore? BainsBane Jan 2013 #8
yes loyalsister Jan 2013 #9
Every so often I come upon a thread that reminds me once again enough Jan 2013 #10
The real question is whether "douchebass" is an insult... madinmaryland Jan 2013 #11
I heard it on ESPN (I think) the other day. bluedigger Jan 2013 #14
I hear SNAFU on TV news all the time WhoIsNumberNone Jan 2013 #43
Really? bluedigger Jan 2013 #46
I'm happy to say.. sendero Jan 2013 #17
During my tenure as a moderator, I consistently supported removing it. NYC_SKP Jan 2013 #18
i never saw it that way but who am i to be the arbiter of definition. dionysus Jan 2013 #19
My intention isn't sexist.. Lokey Jan 2013 #20
THAT'S the one I was trying to think of! "Douche canoe!" TygrBright Jan 2013 #23
Douche is also 'shower' or 'to shower.' BadgerKid Jan 2013 #24
A post-edit window correction: TygrBright Jan 2013 #25
There is no edit window on DU3. Skinner Jan 2013 #26
ooo, learn something new about DU.... LOVE it! TygrBright Jan 2013 #39
Right, otherwise it would be... geardaddy Jan 2013 #71
Yanno, I kinda like that. It sounds splendidly dirty and insulting! TygrBright Jan 2013 #73
Yeah, me too! geardaddy Jan 2013 #84
Why, if we tried, we could turn this thread into a bouche-o-rama! n/t TygrBright Jan 2013 #85
Indeed. geardaddy Jan 2013 #87
I don't know. It's not an expression I ever use. MineralMan Jan 2013 #27
Google Image the term "douchebag" jpak Jan 2013 #30
So...much...orange... Iggo Jan 2013 #34
I use it quite frequently... OneGrassRoot Jan 2013 #32
A douchebag is what you use to squirt tblue Jan 2013 #33
Many years ago on a trip to Paris, SheilaT Jan 2013 #35
I quit watching Jon Stewart because of incessant 'douchebag' insults Dems to Win Jan 2013 #36
This message was self-deleted by its author Ed Suspicious Jan 2013 #54
You mean like "idiot?" Gormy Cuss Jan 2013 #75
All I know is that you're not supposed to douche in the first place. Neoma Jan 2013 #37
You tell 'em! :) polichick Jan 2013 #81
I don't use the term, but I don't find it particularly offensive Orrex Jan 2013 #38
That's a stretch DefenseLawyer Jan 2013 #40
Well, the same thing could be said of the use of "pussy" as an insult. Or "bitch." TygrBright Jan 2013 #44
No argument here DefenseLawyer Jan 2013 #48
I think that "pussy" originally came from the sense of "cat", Art_from_Ark Jan 2013 #83
I'm female and use the term way too often tabbycat31 Jan 2013 #42
No thelordofhell Jan 2013 #47
One of the most epic threads in the history of DU was on this very subject. It's still famous. Arugula Latte Jan 2013 #49
Totally forgot about that one, thank you! n/t TygrBright Jan 2013 #55
You ain't taking my Douchebag away... trumad Jan 2013 #50
Logically, it has to be sexist Brainstormy Jan 2013 #51
Oh yes, they can--it doesn't have to be an internal procedure, you know. MADem Jan 2013 #62
Sorry, personally Brainstormy Jan 2013 #82
What about "douchenozzle"? backscatter712 Jan 2013 #52
I'm not giving up the word. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #53
Someone mentioned the term idiot as a synonym. It's more nuanced than idiot. Ed Suspicious Jan 2013 #56
I prefer the term "hot-water bottle." TheManInTheMac Jan 2013 #57
Yes. The insult is thrown at males ... Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #59
Interesting article here gollygee Jan 2013 #61
Yes. I believe calling anyone a douche-anything is sexist. In_The_Wind Jan 2013 #63
i prefer douchenozzle or doucherocket spanone Jan 2013 #64
This has been discussed a few hundred times before. Quantess Jan 2013 #65
Let's use 'asshole' edbermac Jan 2013 #68
It doesn't bother me libodem Jan 2013 #69
What a counter point. Brilliant. MissMarple Jan 2013 #70
Yes, but it is grand-fathered cthulu2016 Jan 2013 #72
Yes it is and I personally find it offensive. nt Raine Jan 2013 #74
Well consider the product. The empressof all Jan 2013 #76
As someone who has to douche here and there.... LOL, no. I'm okay with it. nt cecilfirefox Jan 2013 #77
Yes, its totally sexist but sexism is not against the rules on DU. undeterred Jan 2013 #78
Personally, I think we've got better things to do with our time than play word-nanny. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #79
Two things TroglodyteScholar Jan 2013 #80
Are we really arguing about whether "douchebag" is okay??? Bake Jan 2013 #86
You call THIS an "argument?" Seriously? TygrBright Jan 2013 #88
So now I have to worry about whether "douchebag" is sexist? Bake Jan 2013 #89
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Is "douchebag" ...»Reply #76