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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs it sexist to use the word "balls" or "cojones" ...
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
(30,811 posts)Because I like the sentiment behind cojones but want to counteract its sexist aspect.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Lucky Luciano
(11,256 posts)Chemisse
(30,811 posts)Does that make it sexist if it is used on women or sexist that it is used on men?
Lucky Luciano
(11,256 posts)Foolacious
(497 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)forgotmylogin
(7,528 posts)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
(11,256 posts)Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Not cajones. Different meaning.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I'll fix it in a minute.
irisblue
(32,974 posts)LibFarmer
(772 posts)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
(22,341 posts)marble falls
(57,081 posts)courage.
Truck nuts are usually installed by dicks. I hope that isn't sexist.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)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
(57,081 posts)Celerity
(43,357 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)"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
(55,445 posts)more offensive than the Confederate Navy Jack, but this is it...
marble falls
(57,081 posts)NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)why are balls associated with bravery?
Why can't we stick with gender neutral terms like "backbone" or "spine" or "guts" ?
forgotmylogin
(7,528 posts)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
(7,947 posts)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
(42,862 posts)John Fante
(3,479 posts)To denote how impervious to pain (and thus tougher) these pair of balls are from the others. Lol
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)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
(7,528 posts)Funny how eggs and balls are both fragile and vulnerable items but can mean the opposite idiomatically!
Nuggets
(525 posts)but I do like
comedian Hal Sparks:
Hey you need to grow a pair. Grow a pair, Bro. Its 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, youd 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
(42,862 posts)leftyladyfrommo
(18,868 posts)balls when they are stronger than men in almost every way except physical strength.
John Fante
(3,479 posts)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.
(5,624 posts)marylandblue
(12,344 posts)I also say "grow a pair."
912gdm
(959 posts)so woke
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)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
(4,305 posts)He/they has/have no ballz.
She has bigger ballz than most men I know. (My favorite)
TheBlackAdder
(28,194 posts).
Starting at 1:46
"When danger calls, you must have the balls of an ox, or a bear or any large mammal!"
.
femmedem
(8,203 posts)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
(35,290 posts)misanthrope
(7,417 posts)"Spine" and others will suffice as well.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I wouldn't have even thought of it otherwise.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)male body parts are not required for courage - and wtf, balls are like THE most delicate body part of all!!!!!!