Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

bigtree

(94,300 posts)
24. I thought it didn't start out as a reference to a woman's body part
Thu Feb 7, 2013, 09:36 AM
Feb 2013

. . .I remember it being short for 'pussy-cat' (as opposed to a tiger, for instance). I still think it means something akin to a pussy cat. That's been my understanding since I first heard the word.

I hate it when folks decide to ban words like this. Try dealing with the user's intent, rather than just deciding that they meant the worst of the term. For fuck sakes, find something else to whine about, and let folks decide for themselves what they mean when using the term. You don't own the dictionary. You can't dictate meanings of words to folks. Who the hell appointed you to the post of the word police?

What a crock of shit to put the worst interpretation on the meaning and usage of the word.

Put this shit-sniffing concern in meta.

Recommendations

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

I agree that the word is offensive Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #1
Yet again jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #2
Skin tag? Anal cyst? Rush Limbaugh? Atman Feb 2013 #6
Or a continuous favorite... Zephie Feb 2013 #16
Message auto-removed dipit30 Feb 2013 #49
And there's *more* where that came from. Smarmie Doofus Feb 2013 #60
I understand for weak and cowardly. But what about for anger? Glassunion Feb 2013 #3
It is sexist, I agree BainsBane Feb 2013 #4
All our insults must be happy words! Atman Feb 2013 #5
Pony is UK slang for rubbish / crap. dipsydoodle Feb 2013 #10
"Pussy" *is* a happy word for me. dawg Feb 2013 #13
+1 Go Vols Feb 2013 #32
lulz Champion Jack Feb 2013 #31
So, you don't like the 1st Amendment either? As Spock would say, "Fascinating". nt. OldDem2012 Feb 2013 #7
Yeah, because DU is just like the United States government shutting down the printing presses. Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #8
What's fascinating is how you can have no fucking concept of what the 1st Amendment means. cali Feb 2013 #9
You can use the word "f__king" but you don't like using the word p___y in your OP.... OldDem2012 Feb 2013 #27
Exactly n/t godai Feb 2013 #50
It's the inherent sexism in the word pussy that I object to cali Feb 2013 #56
A request for sensitivity and respect is not the same as a call for censorship. lapislzi Feb 2013 #41
Just stating my personal opinion. Is that now a problem on DU, too? nt. OldDem2012 Feb 2013 #44
No problem. lapislzi Feb 2013 #45
Your concern is duly noted and filed in the appropriate place. nt. OldDem2012 Feb 2013 #46
Does't bother me in the slightest. It is also ill used. alphafemale Feb 2013 #11
I agree. dawg Feb 2013 #12
There are many offensive words Bad Thoughts Feb 2013 #14
+1 LiberalLoner Feb 2013 #38
Belongs in Meta trumad Feb 2013 #15
I generally agree - although i am interested in the comment el_bryanto Feb 2013 #17
you use the p word on a man to insult him, saying he is weak/cowardly like a woman. you use dick seabeyond Feb 2013 #20
I think it depends on the person el_bryanto Feb 2013 #22
That is one of the silliest things I've ever heard. Atman Feb 2013 #33
Keywords being "associated with" lapislzi Feb 2013 #42
Many words may be considered offensive. TheCowsCameHome Feb 2013 #18
Perhaps you should look up the origin of the word eh? Soundman Feb 2013 #19
lol Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #21
What a stupid post gollygee Feb 2013 #23
Well said. LisaLynne Feb 2013 #28
bullshit bigtree Feb 2013 #30
It isn't used specifically about male people gollygee Feb 2013 #39
I thought it didn't start out as a reference to a woman's body part bigtree Feb 2013 #24
lol tjwash Feb 2013 #25
. gollygee Feb 2013 #43
First It Was The C Word... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #26
whatever Botany Feb 2013 #29
My coworker has a pussy scab Orrex Feb 2013 #34
I love this thread because of the lame comments that try to... Little Star Feb 2013 #35
Geez, it's not like she is trying to ban people What's wrong with being sensitive to a fairly large Evoman Feb 2013 #36
It's offensive when it's used to denote weakness, because it implies that women are weak. yardwork Feb 2013 #37
Personally? I really, really, dislike that word as a term for "female genitalia" as well. Spider Jerusalem Feb 2013 #40
I agree with you, and have never used it as a pejorative Tom Ripley Feb 2013 #47
How about everytime somebody wants to use it they replace it with pendejo? snooper2 Feb 2013 #48
So now it says Pussy in a thread title on the greatest page Viva_La_Revolution Feb 2013 #51
don't you think the connotation may be evolving? zazen Feb 2013 #52
"pussy" in any context marions ghost Feb 2013 #58
even that was created by men and used in derogatory. unfortunately. seabeyond Feb 2013 #59
Pussy? KansDem Feb 2013 #53
You've got some nerve calling other people... 99Forever Feb 2013 #54
I love watching the sexist "free speech" idiots swarm thread like this. MadrasT Feb 2013 #55
Civility is supposedly required on DU, but in reality it doesn't happen very often. slackmaster Feb 2013 #57
Good topic. Please repost in Meta Stinky The Clown Feb 2013 #61
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I find the use of the wor...»Reply #24