The p-word, I get it, and I'm a guy

[steve2470]

I didn't spell out "pussy" in the subject line to be sensitive.

I totally get why that word is offensive to women. Hell, when I was a kid, the WORST thing you could
say to a man was call him a pussy. It implied he was a woman and weak.

Now I'm older and know, of course, that women are strong and that epithet was just sexist and stupid.

I don't understand why people are so determined to embrace that word here. If you're clearly referring to a cat, ok, that's fine. If you're very clearly using it as slang to refer to a vulva, ok. But to use it as an epithet to refer to a male is NOT ok.

If I'm wrong about the vulva reference, I will not use it here in that context either. I'm still learning and growing. The South was a very sexist, racist, homophobic, ableist, etc place when I was growing up.

Steve

[ismnotwasm]

1. My first objection

Besides the obvious baiting, was anything on my body being compared to Cheney. "Pussy" is a loaded word, and my second objection is the way it's come to denote someone who is weak and cowardly at the same time, while stilll very strongly associated with female genitalia.

And third, using the word in a subject line in what we are discussing took away from the actual topic--the disgusting Cheney. He needs to be tried for war crimes, and while I understand the need to vent, we also need action.

[steve2470]

3. yes I understand completely

I think we can all vent and avoid the words that have way too much baggage.

[JTFrog]

2. Thank you. n/t

[seabeyond]

4. that poster did no different than the mentality of bushco with their torture. they exactly used

this mentality to break down the men they tortured.

[JaneQPublic]

5. Webster's Dictionary Definition

Please see the below link to Webster's online and scroll down to the fourth definition of the p-word.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pussy

It says:

4pus·sy noun \ˈpu̇-sē\
plural pus·sies
Definition of PUSSY

slang
: a weak or cowardly man or boy : wimp, sissy

Origin of PUSSY

short for pussycat
First Known Use: circa 1942
====================

As the author of the "offending" thread on Dick Cheney, I would have responded to all the "offended" posters by noting that this is the definition of the word as I used it in the OP.

If it's good enough for Websters, it's good enough for me and should be good enough for DU.

I would have posted this in my own thread about Cheney, but I am now locked out of it. Ironically enough, all the people whose hair caught on fire over use of the P-word in DU have kept the P-word thread kicked to the top of the forum for over 4 hours.

[steve2470]

6. ok, I'll let the female members of this group discuss this with you

I will defer to the consensus of this community, just as I do with all communities.

[seabeyond]

8. "grovel like a bieber fangirl". you are clearly using it as a sexist slur to cheney comparing him to

a weak and cowardly girl. you well know. not a cat

please do not come into this group justifying your use of a purposely insulting sexist slur to get your attention.

[ismnotwasm]

10. ROTFLMAO

I'll raise you this

2pus·sy noun \ˈpu̇-sē\
plural pus·sies
Definition of PUSSY

1
usually vulgar : vulva
2
a usually vulgar : sexual intercourse
b usually vulgar : the female partner in sexual intercourse
Origin of PUSSY

perhaps of Low German or Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse pūss pocket, pouch, Low German pūse vulva, Old English pusa bag
First Known Use: 1699

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pussy

If it's good enough for Websters, and all that---hilarious and I trashed that thread a while back. I figured it would go for a while-- and Cheney isn't the topic, so what, exactly did you accomplish? Or hope to? Then you come here?
Bwahahahahaha

[JTFrog]

12. "So, tomorrow the pussy is going on MTP and Todd will no doubt grovel to him like a Bieber fangirl"

This is a quote from your "offending" thread.

Kinda makes it hard to buy into your innocent act.

[Sheldon Cooper]

31. I'm glad you are now blocked from spewing your shit in this group, too.

And for the pathetic people who are alert-stalking this thread, go ahead and hit the button. I've got tons of hides to spare.

[uppityperson]

37. Yet you still continue to make the point comparing men to women makes them cowardly, weak.

"If it's good enough for Websters, it's good enough for me and should be good enough for DU. "

And that is exactly the problem.

[Gormy Cuss]

38. Thus it's certainly homophobic as evidenced by synonymous term sissy,

another slang term rooted denigrating males by comparing them to females?

sis·sy
noun \ˈsi-sē\

: a boy who is weak or who likes things that girls usually like

: a person who is weak and fearful
plural sissies
Full Definition of SISSY
: an effeminate man or boy; also : a timid or cowardly person

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sissy

And FTR, the cited origin in the 1942 of this usage as linked to pussycat does not invalidate the sexist intent seventy years later.

[seabeyond]

9. i read your thread about AA community. i appreciate that thread.

about everything said in that thread can apply to women. i do appreciate and value those on du that put forth the effort to call it out. after over a decade on du, though and our morphing to DI, seeing what that site is, it is making it very hard for any group or even the people not in these groups that do not participate in trash talk to participate on du.

i do appreciate your voice over the last week though. thank you.

[steve2470]

16. my pleasure

I'll do my best to support women here also. There is a lot of "under the radar"/"under the line" racism and sexism that goes on. A lot of under the line nonsense.

If Skinner doesn't get rid of the jury system or at least radically reform it, this site will become all white, all male...and that would suck. It's already morphing that way. We need women and all minorities/PoC to be here and support progressivism. I want everyone here, personally.

[ismnotwasm]

18. Agree completely

Just had to comment to a FB friend that I do my political arguments elsewhere, and in one of the elsewheres, his comment (regarding Fergeson-- I won't repeat it) Some take his view.

[seabeyond]

13. seaglass, i am sorry you get a hide with a nothing post, while this poster continues to be allowed

to use sexist slurs, and du allows them to stand. that is indicative of what this site has become, and why more and more walk

[ismnotwasm]

14. Yup

That's it

(Actually I still think there's a bit of gender baiting going on here, not sure why, since RQ and others left and you hardly post anymore, I think there are a few some bodies who are out of people to play with)

[seabeyond]

15. another gets a hide even though the OP post stands using and justifying a sexist slur. surely jane

should be using her battle cry to stand up for these women gettting hides. surely.

[ismnotwasm]

17. One would think

Wouldn't one?

[boston bean]

28. someone in the GD threads hates to see "strong women" being silenced.

You know, the real strong women, who like to use and put up with sexist slurs. They are the only strong women. And they are being silenced....

right????!!!!???? and boofnhoo.

[ismnotwasm]

32. I've noticed some baiting like I said

Saw another one being started-- different topic. They bored? Or what?

Strong women? "Strong enough" to take and internalize verbal abuse is what they're saying

[boston bean]

19. Ok, everyone JaneQPublic has been blocked.

[JTFrog]

20. Thank you. n/t

[boston bean]

21. You're welcome. I just got back from shopping and see this shit show.

in GD and then to defend that bs here......

[ismnotwasm]

22. Thank you

[JTFrog]

30. Yep, completely inappropriate.

Really pissed off at all the goading people into hidden posts as well.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

23. Sweet.

Uh ... Pubic?

[boston bean]

24. huh?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

25. ..in the title of your blocking post...

[boston bean]

26. Oh, I wrote JaneQPubic instead of JaneQPublic.

Let me go fix that right now!

Thanks for letting me know!

[betsuni]

34. I thought that was on purpose and funny!

Once I've seen it as pubic, I can't go back.

[seabeyond]

27. thank you boston. i have not been in here much. after my last experience, i can hardly

stomach the hypocrisy. but, i do read. and i do appreciate you taking the actions you did.

[boston bean]

29. it's good to see you.

I've been pretty silent myself and less active, for sure. So, I get it.

[marions ghost]

35. This is retro not in a good way

Obviously "pussy" has negative implications. You can't own or take back a word that is rooted in the culture with such a clear and specific negative meaning. Does not work. The only solution is to use alternative words and let that particular one die out.
The poster's purpose in using it here was to cause dissension and division and he succeeded. Am surprised there was any support for the OP. Just to say that I appreciate the thoughts of those --male and female--who don't support the acceptance of derogatory extremes, whatever they may refer to.

Thanks steve2470.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

36. thank you, Steve and thank you, boston bean.

Happy Holidays one and all.