Good Fun With Bad Words: Five Familiar Woman-Specific Slang Terms

[ismnotwasm]

Good Fun With Bad Words: Five Familiar Woman-Specific Slang Terms And Their Lesser-Known Historical Origibs

And so, let's start with something soft and nonthreatening.

Pussy

Ah, pussy. Good old reliable pussy. Like many of the words on this list, "pussy" has layers of meaning and connotation. In a concrete sense, "pussy" refers to a vulva and vagina. In a slang sense, it’s often used against men as a term of derision, usually to indicate that the dude in question is an ineffectual wimp.

Because supposedly nothing is more offensive to men than being told they are like women in any way whatsoever.

Pussy’s precise origins are unclear; what we do know is that it’s a very old word. It has evidently been used as an affectionate term for women (and possibly “effeminate” men) since the 1580s, and is thought to be originally connected to “puss” as a call-word for cats.

Most etymology sources seem to agree that the connection with genitalia specifically, rather than women in general, came later. Once upon a time, you might call a sweet girl a "pussy" like you would call her a doll today. (Alternatively, some argue it may have stemmed from the Old Norse word for “pocket,” which apparently provides the origins for the Low German word for vulva, “puse.”)

http://www.xojane.com/fun/bad-words-misogyny-edition

It's also homophobic.

[Control-Z]

1. I'm bookmarking to read later.

Just the one word in your OP is enough for the moment.

K&R

[TheBlackAdder]

4. Same here.

[mercuryblues]

2. thanks

It helps explain how one can use a term and declare it is not offensive, then get offended when the term is used on them.

Seriously though, I enjoyed the read. I wish people would consider not using derogatory sexist terms as being respectful. The rule applies however, that how can they feel good about themselves if they can't degrade others. degrading others is a heck of a lot easier than working on making yourself a better person.

[ismnotwasm]

3. Agree

It's disingenuous bullshit. People hide behind bizarre rationalizations, rather than simply accept they're being an asshole.

[eridani]

5. Actually I loathe all the expressions in the article, except for pussy

--although I've very careful about using it publicly. I like cats a whole lot. Warm, soft, furry, sensual, highly independent, and with no hesitation about using claws and teeth when necessary. And purring is absolutely wonderful!

[ismnotwasm]

6. Heh!

[betsuni]

7. I hate that on some American cooking competition reality shows,

the worst insult for men is to be called a "little bitch" by other men and the worst humiliation is being "beat by a girl" or even having to work with "girls." I don't see this sort of rude misogyny on Australian/NZ/UK/Canadian cooking shows. There's something about American culture that seems more competitive, more defensive.

[Lunacee_2013]

8. We Americans can have a bit of a strong,

competitive, independent streak in us. Not that that's a bad thing, just some of us take it way too far. I guess that's how people have to act in order to survive in our capitalist, winner-take-all, no handouts culture. If others see you as weak, they might take advantage of you, and the easiest way to call a man weak in a sexist culture is to compare him to a woman. The only thing worse, for a man, is to be beaten by a woman.

[Lunacee_2013]

9. Too bad it's too late

to post this in the "Dick Cheney is a p*ssy thread.