Is the word "Pussy" offensive... such as, "don't be a Pussy"?

[trumad]

I hear it all the time---The Daily Show, movies, etc. Isn't it kind of a mainstream word.

[shanti]

1. no more offensive

than "don't be a dick". :shrug:

[chefgirl]

6. Or Dick Head

-chef-

[originalpckelly]

20. I can see why someone wouldn't want to be a dick:

It's DICKTACULAR!!!!!!!

[flamin lib]

Some people can wear the name Richard and some can't.

Cheney just looks like a Dick, doesn't he.

[spacelady]

77. Look at how his glasses are squishing his head! Maybe that's why

he is so batshit crazy.

[Captain Hilts]

21. Well, I don't say 'don't be a dick', why would I? I know a lot of nice dicks. nt

[Fierce]

2. It's a mainstream word based on gender.

Some find the implications behind it offensive. I do.

[Lucky Luciano]

not offensive when direcetd at a pussy. nt

[Kali]

3. ...

:popcorn:

[gaspee]

4. To me?

Yes. But I'm ready to be offended by just about anything I see as sexist these days. I'm quite sensitive when I never used to be, so I'm probably not a good gage.

[madmusic]

18. Is that a good thing, do you think?

And is there a point where one can be too sensitive?

[seabeyond]

31. could there be a reason, do you think?

[seabeyond]

i am too, but it is because the attacks are coming in hard and fast, then

i amtold iamnot allowedto be sensitive. bigotry is on the rise and withthat comes the attack on female. always from white male. my brother the other day says, (niece sittin on floor cause chairs full) females anddogs belong on the floor. then i am accused of beingsensitive if i say anything. lighten up. but he is angry at women and has been for a long time, a lousy example for sons, and i amnot suppose to be sensitive. he says smear the queers. i am offended and told to litenup. gays shouldnt be offended.

really coola white male insults gays and women and tell us what we are suppose to be offended with and not

[Perky]

139. Is Pussy the same as dickless or "lacking balls"

I think that is the intent of the slur: You lack courage is what is being said.

[DireStrike]

5. Well, people that use it like that are real fags

It's a totally gay use of the word.

[Lucky Luciano]

10. LOL

[JuniperLea]

11. LOL!

Well done.

[marylanddem]

7. It may be mainstream but it's offensive.

It is traditionally sexist & demeaning to women.

[Dora]

8. I don't care for it.

It's a sexist slur equating a man with women's genitals as an expression of weakness, impotence, etc.

It's offensive.

[seabeyond]

9. yes. using women body part to insult male. male uses women for the

greatest jab at male. dont cry like a girl. yada yada. it is always using female to insult male the most. how much of an insult is it to say, you throw like a boy, what a set of balls.... even you are being a dick.... to a girl isnt insulting,but anytime a male wants to insult a male they bring in female.

it is a conditioning from boys at the youngest they are superior to girl

i dont allow it inmy house. my boys get it. not a tough one

[trumad]

19. OK---what about the word Sissy?

Same thing....

[Fierce]

22. Same thing, same offense.

nt

[seabeyond]

45. am i right. are we teaching boys from youngest of age to be superior

to women just in our language. using female to insult them the most.... to get them to be more male. by using female as less.

am i right

and if i am... which i am.... why ignore and go to sissy?

[Cameron27]

127. You're right

[mongo]

146. So are we teaching them

To be pricks?

Dickheads?

Thinking with their "little heads"?

The language goes both ways -- to be masculine is to be an asshole, or to "think" with your sexual drive.

[seabeyond]

153. of course we are. and it is something my oldest son is struggling

with. i just had a two hour conversation with him last night,.... thru his pain, tears (oh how unmanly that was for him, as he beat himself up more for tears of frustration, crying like a girl) and anquish of not being male enough. or not doing the male thing right.

yes

we are

[seabeyond]

156. you are not going to find i do to males..... i dont believe in it either gender

i dont believe in making less to make another more. ever...... i am consistant on that

[mongo]

170. I would never accuse you of that

I pretty much know where and how you stand, and think that overall you are a great parent.

[Subdivisions]

144. self-delete: posted wrong thread

[KittyWampus]

12. it's sophmoric, that's for sure. If you can't think of a more original insult

it doesn't say much about your capacity for wit.

And yes, that goes for Jon Stewart.

Think Monty Python. Now THEY came up with some good insults.

[Lucky Luciano]

26. Well, Stewart has demonstrated significant amounts fo wit.

[KittyWampus]

30. yes, and a lot of it is on the level of a teenage boy. But then a lot of American culture

is geared toward adolescent males.

[Lucky Luciano]

39. I guess that makes you uniquely humorless.

I think almost everyone here loves Stewart/Colbert as being the funniest people on tv - I do not even watch tv, but I always try to check clips of their shows on the net.

[lukasahero]

51. Not "uniquely" humorless

There are others here who find Stewart's adolescent humor tiring at times.

[Lucky Luciano]

72. Yes...they are called republicans...ok this has run its course.

[lukasahero]

84. Bwahaha - yes, when all else fails, call me names

LOL.

[Lucky Luciano]

91. haha...that is kind of funny actually.

[Captain Hilts]

13. Yes, it is offensive. First, it's a vulgar term for anatomy. Second,...

it relates things relating to women with weakness. Specifically, weakness in morals or will.

It's kind of the mirror image of "it takes balls to ask the president that question." Here, male anatomy is associated with moral strength and fortitude. And, well, it doesn't take 'balls' to have those things.

Thanks for asking, and, yes, it does offend me.

INSTEAD, I call people 'candyass's. That does the trick just fine for both sexes.

[lukasahero]

14. It is to me

Not that anyone cares about that...

[Fierce]

15. If people say they're offended, isn't that enough?

nt

[buddysmellgood]

116. It's a reference to a pussy cat, not a vagina. So yes, it is offensive.

[CJCRANE]

16. I would have thought

"wuss" or "wimp" would be better alternatives but then again they'll still be insulting to the person they're aimed at!

[Hosnon]

17. Not to me. nt

[Captain Hilts]

27. Because you're male. It's an insult to women. nt

[Hosnon]

34. Ok. I can't speak for other people...I just know it's not offensive to me. And by the way,

"You're a dickhead" is not offensive to me either.

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. As a woman, yes, it's offensive. Wussy works much better and

means the same thing, no?:hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. Yes it is to me. Just because "they" say it doesn't mean I find it

acceptable or amusing. There was a time when pussy was just as offensive as the (I can't bring myself to type it) C word.

But hell, who needs to be polite anymore? Everyone for themselves.

[Atman]

25. It's become generic, like "xerox," but it still upsets quite a few DUers

Therefore I try to avoid it here. But I don't have a problem with using it as a pejorative in certain circumstances. Hell, "mother" is a bad word if the "wrong" person says it the "wrong" way. I think we've gotten a little too sensitive, personally. Pussy has simply come to mean "wimp."

.

[marions ghost]

89. and that's the problem....

pussy meaning wimp (because all women are wimps is the assumption).

Prick or dick means jerk but doesn't have the same blanket perjorative. It doesn't refer to 'all men.'

Big diff. Using pussy to mean wimp is offensive to women.

[Atman]

123. Obviously all a matter of perspective...who says "dick" doesn't insult men?

I don't find the word "pussy" to be offensive to women in the slightest, in much the same way I don't really expect passersby to think I expect them to mount me when I sigh "oh, fuck meeeee" during a moment of aggravation. The word simply has multiple meanings, tied to the context of it's usage.

I think it is absurd to assume that "dick" doesn't have the exact same broad-brush root insult behind it as "pussy" does. The only difference is that you, being a female, think that using the names of your body parts as a pejorative insults your entire gender, while using the names of male body parts is not offensive...I guess because you're not a male. Because I feel exactly the same way about "pussy" as you feel about "dick." (Now there's an interesting sentence!). Neither of them is intended to refer to "all" men or women. It's just a word.

.

[marions ghost]

143. Nope

read my post again.

Pussy meaning slang genitalia, I don't care.

Pussy meaning "wimp" I do care. Because it STILL DOES imply woman = pussy = weak.

When you say "dick" it's a particular kind of male jerk. Nobody assumes it to refer to all men or to reinforce stereotypes of all men. It's more similar to "bitch." (which I don't have a problem with since it refers to a specific kind of female jerk).

Also y'know what I never heard a man before you objecting to "dick." Fine with me if you want to try to make a case for that.

It's not equivalent to pussy.

Great topic for venting, isn't this? :hi: LOL--gets your mind off elections

[Atman]

163. Gets my mind of erections?

Oops, mis-read that! Sorry to be a dick! ;)

.

[soothsayer]

28. I think it's dirty, so I don't say it (except you know, pillow talk and

all that)

; )

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Captain Hilts]

35. You think it's okay to associate lack of will with things relating to women?

I don't.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seabeyond]

52. using womans as the inferior..... showing the male is not man enough

is acting like woman. absolutely has to do with the female being less, inferior, rub it in males face to show he lack maleness

[seabeyond]

57. wrong place

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seabeyond]

71. weak = female. inferior. that is what you say when you use pussy

or when you teach your young boys, dont throw like a girl. dont cry like a girl. why is it ALways GRABBING the female to insult a male. looka t what is basically behind that. from youngest of age, absolute donot take on any girl role or you lack. BUT... for a girl to take any boy role, it is a GOOD thing

btw: again you, who htis is not directed at, are telling me, who this is directed at,that i am being too sensitive. isnt that a laugh

[Captain Hilts]

60. Do you say 'that's awfully white of you' to blacks and think it's a compliment?

That's what 'crediting' women with having balls is.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ScreamingMeemie]

80. Would you say that if you had one?

Gee... Women are weaker? Ask MrG that question.

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ScreamingMeemie]

99. Have a baby. I'm sorry, your explanation doesn't watch.

There are different, varying degrees of strength across both genders. BTW, having a baby does not require just mental and/or physical strength.

[Name removed]

125. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seabeyond]

128. so you are arguing males use it cause male strong, female weak?

[smirkymonkey]

165. Absolutely brilliant.

You really must have racked your brain for some time to come up with such a witty retort.

And for you, and you only...:sarcasm:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

133. That's a gross generalization.

Some women are stronger than some men. Sorry if that offends your tiny little manhood. Go buy a hummer, if you need to compensate, but don't peddle your crap here.

[Name removed]

145. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

152. I'm a martial arts instructor.

It was in the dojo. And for the record, he got rough with me in the ring first, so I taught him a needed lesson.

[Name removed]

160. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

167. That's because a lot of schools teach for competition and give our inflated ranks.

My school is self-defense based. My head instructor taught hand-to-hand to the Marines for years. This isn't Tae Kwon Do shit. We are taught to fight dirty.

[smirkymonkey]

169. Weight trainer. That explains a lot.

At least you're here and not at the polls, I must say I'm thankful for that.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

100. Or I would venture to say...

ask the man who got his ribs broken my me. I think he would say not to underestimate women.

[seabeyond]

38. and i call them cowards. i dont have to use female to insult a male.

[trumad]

32. Big Pussy

[Jed Dilligan]

157. We don't waste our breath on that prick

[Annces]

33. very offensive IMO

I heard it most often from young boys trying to put each other down. Older people that use the word, is really nasty IMO. Derogatory to women.

[Uncle Joe]

36. It's offensive but not as offensive as the name Dick Armey n/t

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

37. its offensive especially if you subsitute man for pussy

like lieberman turns into lieberpussy

thats very specifically stating that hes not being a man but instead being a pussy..and this makes him a coward

[Zensea]

40. Isn't it intended to be offensive?

I always thought so.
I've never heard it in a context where it was intended to be a compliment.

[seabeyond]

48. absolutely. so right on. n/t

[Hosnon]

63. I don't think that is what the OP is asking:

Usually when someone uses that term they are trying to be offensive. But I think the question is whether the particular term has offense beyond or in addition to the particular intent to offend.

Such as: "You are stupid." That is meant to offend but "stupid" doesn't carry much independent offense.

In contrast: "You are a flaming faggot." Also meant to offend but "flaming faggot" does seem to carry some independent offense.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

41. "its so gay" is also mainstream.

[MrSlayer]

42. Not to me.

Sometimes you just have to call a spade a spade.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

47. then you should call a coward a coward and not female genitalia

[MrSlayer]

108. It's slang.

And it's acceptable to me. I've heard just as many women use the term as men. I don't see it as something to get all in a lather about. It's a generic term without any deep rooted hatred for women or whatever. I don't use it here because so many people are sensitive to any kind of plain "man on the street" talk but I use it in everyday life as does most everyone I know. It's just not that big of a deal.

[seabeyond]

112. say you male who is not offended by it. how many women just dont

say anything because it is soooo all over the street. a question was asked. women answered. i dont say something to someone that says you pussy, out on the street. why bother. doesnt mean,....it isnt taking female to insult male. just means i dont want to create a to do cause some stupid male mouthed off in a stupid way.

[MrSlayer]

162. Umm...Ok.

:crazy:

[marions ghost]

118. OK

use it to mean "female genitalia" ....if you like.

But DON'T use it to mean "wimp." That's what's offensive--because it refers to all women as wimps. And women are trying to get away from that stereotype.

When I hear anybody use this to mean 'wimp', I always think....Doesn't get it. Doesn't get anything about the experience of being a woman. Clueless.

[William Bloode]

43. Not too me, no more than dick head.

I'm pretty thick skinned it takes a lot to offend me. Now the overly sensitive crowd will have a problem i'm sure.

[Jed Dilligan]

44. It's odd

For some reason it's okay to berate a male with "pussy" on tv, but any reference to an actual vagina would be censored.

Also, I don't think I've seen men called "dicks" on tv. I think "dick" is more appropriate as an insult--singleminded, blind, pushy, and only out for his own pleasure. Women can be "dicks" as well.

There is nothing inherently "pussy" about a woman's sex organ. It's actually a lot braver than a man's, which will wilt at the first sign of danger or difficulty.

I wonder if "pussy" for a weakling and "pussy" for vagina are different words--both drawing on similarities to cats (cowardly on the one hand, warm and furry and purrs when stroked on the other).

[CJCRANE]

56. Your post just

made me think of how the Cowardly Lion in Wizard of Oz was called a "big pussy-cat".

[Jed Dilligan]

73. Or the R.L. Stevenson poem:

I love little pussy, her coat is so warm
And if I don't wrong her, she'll do me no harm.





This, from a man who preferred dick...

[The2ndWheel]

64. Tucker Carlson

Live TV can be fun sometimes.

[shain from kane]

78. I'll have what you're having.

"...warm and furry and purrs when stroked on the other)."

[SixString]

49. Short for pusillanimous

Adj. 1. pusillanimous - lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful

[Jed Dilligan]

61. Well, that's a niggardly way of looking at it!

Welcome to DU!

[TahitiNut]

50. Only pricks say "pussy."

:eyes:

[ProfessorGAC]

62. Troublemaker!

I knew i could count on you!
The Professor

[TahitiNut]

74. Well, I think we should all go out of our way to find things that offend us.

After all, it's not like we have anything REALLY important to deal with, is it? :eyes:

[ProfessorGAC]

114. We Are Of Like Mind!

By the way, your screenname offends me, because i think it belittles the criminally insane. Change it! (See! You say; i do!)
The Professor

[TahitiNut]

134. As a charter member of Amalgamated Fruits & Nuts of America ...

... I support your inalienable right to take offense. :silly:

[seabeyond]

98. i just love you..... you are about

as close to being perfect as they come. so consistantly so..... hm.... thank you

[omega minimo]

53. You KNOW it is. How long have you been at DU? Read the Rules by any chance?

Why are you even ASKING that? :evilfrown:

[trumad]

66. Since the beginning....

and you know what....these are the type of questions that I love to see on DU. It makes me a better person when questions like these are answered. I don't use the term "Trailer Trash" anymore... You know why? Because a question was asked on DU asking if it was offensive. I stopped using it when I found out if was.

Same here... I've called my buds Pussies.... maybe I won't anymore because of what I'm reading on this thread.

That's DU and that's why I love it....

AND you tell me old wise one---how am I breaking the rules?

[Lex]

75. From the rules

per Skinner:

While specific words are not automatically forbidden, members should avoid using racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted terminology. This includes gender-specific terms such as "cunt," "whore," "slut," "skank," or "pussy," and terms with homophobic derivation, such as "cocksucker," which are often inflammatory and inappropriate.

[trumad]

90. are not automatically forbidden---

such as in this context..... I didn't call anybody a pussy...

nice try though...

[Lex]

105. Sorry, I don't know what "nice try, though" means as

I was just setting out what the current rule states. :shrug:

[omega minimo]

124. I asked if you had read the Rules. You appear to be taking the stance that

if not "automaticly forbidden," simply being aware of the Rules and the supposed basis of "respect" is irrelevant to this discussion.

DU Rules:

"...members should avoid using racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted terminology. This includes gender-specific terms such as "cunt," "whore," "slut," "skank," or "pussy," and terms with homophobic derivation, such as "cocksucker," which are often inflammatory and inappropriate."



"Sexist or otherwise bigoted" "gender-specific" "often inflammatory and inappropriate" -- that's not enough information for you to answer your own question? Even asking that on this day is even more offensive than the pretend ignorance. This has been discussed on DU before.

[trumad]

158. Huh?

[omega minimo]

173. .

:puke:

[soleft]

54. I find it offensive and admit my hyprocacy in using the word Dick

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

55. Nothing wrong with calling somebody a cat

:evilgrin:

Many people here are WAAAAAAAYYY too easily offended. They should get over it. It's called a senseahumma.

[LostinVA]

67. It's called sexism and misogynism

Something that will never be directed at you in your lifetime. Please don't try to tell women what they should and should not find misogynist.

[KansDem]

58. Doesn't offend me, but then I'm not a "pussy."

;)

Actually, I thought it was derived from "pussy cat," as in someone who is easy-going or mild-mannered, not boisterous or blustery. Then the "cat" was dropped resulting in "pussy" or someone who was timid, or not likely to stand up for one's self or take a chance.

I didn't think it came from the slang term for a woman's anatomy.

But I could be wrong about the etomology...

[seabeyond]

59. once again the males tell the women we are not suppose to be offended

how it is not offensive. like telling the black how they shouldnt be offended by a word we arent allowed to use, or a gay how or what they are suppose to be offened with

this alone should make a male think twice, but yawl wont. you will just keep telling us not to be so sensitive.

[lukasahero]

79. Thank you - and no kidding

Let's ask this: To those saying it is not offensive and we women need to lighten up, would you use it in your office or in mixed company? How about in front of your mother? Your daughter? (God knows they probably do use it in front of their sons.)

People know damn well it's considered offensive and would not use it in certain circumstances - they just don't like to be called on it.

[seabeyond]

88. wouldnt say it in front of daughters or mothers, then tell me it isnt offensive

talk about pussies. when they start saying it in front of daughters, then letme sit ya down and tell ya what pigs you are.

[Beelzebud]

69. I think some people are overly sensitive and LOVE to be offended.

[seabeyond]

82. quit being a white male

does that offend you in our culture today? ah, dont be so sensitive.

[lukasahero]

95. Oh wait - there's a post on that very thing

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2602453#2603112

Males don't like to be insulted either it would seem.

[seabeyond]

102. and two simple words. white and male. how overly sensitive can those

white males be.....

[Beelzebud]

113. I don't get offended easily, and that comment certainly didn't do it.

But thanks for trying, and have a nice day! :)

[Annces]

96. Yep - white male

I bet nothing offends you -right?

[Beelzebud]

115. Correct. Not much does offend me.

I've lived in Bushworld for 6 years.

I'm almost impervious to offense at this point.

Call me what you want, I have thick skin. :D

[Annces]

131. Well I don't know you, but if I did

I am sure you have your weak spots.

I have a younger sister who like to throw around the jabs, and laugh it up. It gets tiring trying to one up her, but it can be done. Just have to sink down a few levels.

[progressivebydesign]

161. I'm a female, and I endorse Bellzebud's message. n/t

[Beelzebud]

168. Right on. :)

What's that line about "sticks and stones"? :)

Anyway, thanks for standing with me. I love women, and I'd die for your rights.

[hlthe2b]

70. "jerk" still seems pretty all purpose, unisex, and

not directed toward, nor likely to offend a specific group. Ditto, "asshole"...

"Wimp," if you really need to degrade some jerk's supposed machismo... Use of slang terms that reflect one gender in a derogatory way over another, just seems so FREEPER to me... (but that's just me... :shrug:)

[bloom]

81. yes

just because it's mainstream just goes to show you that there are a lot of clueless people out there.

[Lars39]

83. Ya bored, trumad?

Go vote or something.:spank:

[npincus]

85. yes- I prefer "wuss"

[eauclaireliberal]

86. It is not offensive, it is stupid

I mean really, that is talk more appropriate for 13 year olds. Some people need to grow the hell up and improve upon their language skills.

[Lex]

87. As of right now, that word is pretty much forbidden per the DU Rules.

Perhaps a PM to Skinner asking him to change the rules is what you really need to do?

While specific words are not automatically forbidden, members should avoid using racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted terminology. This includes gender-specific terms such as "cunt," "whore," "slut," "skank," or "pussy," and terms with homophobic derivation, such as "cocksucker," which are often inflammatory and inappropriate.

[shain from kane]

93. Bush* doesn't need permission from Mr. Skinner before he can talk

about it.

From Salon.com ---

"Though he's done a decent job of hiding it in this election cycle, Bush has been known to use salty language. At the Republican National Convention in 1988, he was asked by a Hartford Courant reporter about what he and his father talked about when they weren't talking about politics.

"P*ssy," Bush replied."

Edited to change offensive word.

[lukasahero]

103. Ah yes, now there's someone whosw behavior we should emulate

:eyes:

[shain from kane]

122. Also, OK with his father, a former President, and the Supreme Court,

although that was a 5-4 decision.

[lukasahero]

135. Yeah, lots of women on the SC too huh?

[trumad]

94. pretty much forbidden? or is it?

Not in this context... It's forbidden if you are using the word as a hit on another DUer.

The word is used everyday by a whole lot of people. I simply asked if it was offensive.

[Lex]

104. No, I don't think it's just that you can't call other DU'ers that.

I think it's broader than that, but I'm sure a PM to the Admins can clear up the rule.

[IA_Seth]

97. Would you say it around your grandma?

Or your mom?

I guess that's how I determine it...

Not that I've never used the term or anything.

[trumad]

101. I've heard plenty of women use the term....

[lukasahero]

106. That wasn't the question.

[seabeyond]

107. again, you didnt answer. would you say it in front of mom or daughter

you justify.... you asked a question, we women above and beyond gave you the answer,and you dont like it. why wouldnt you say it to your mom. because she would be offended. you alll already know it is offensive.

[ProfessorGAC]

111. I Never Use The Term At All. But, . . .

. . .your "broken record" approach to this debate is unlikely to garner any support beyond those already in agreement. You've posted the exact same argument 6 times in this thread alone. Change tunes, at least.

Again, i never use that word IN ANY CONTEXT. So, please don't start in on me. I'm not the enemy.
The Professor

[seabeyond]

120. and no one answers

they just reply their same remark elsewhere. but... i will post as i like. it is something i am getting pissed off about now a days, as i see the same shit coming our way in bigotry of years ago, that we (blacks mexicans and women) have experienced in the past. and i am pissed about it. you have a problem with that, quit being so damn sensitive.....

[ProfessorGAC]

130. Huh?

What should i answer? I don't use the word. Isn't that enough? And, outrage for the sake of outrage is misplaced energy. If you want people to change their behavior, you have to find a way to motivate. Browbeating is seldom a solution.

Now, you're doing it to me, and i am not the problem.
The Professor

[seabeyond]

149. it is not outrage for the sake of outrage

and i cannot brow beat you..... unless you allow. i certainly do not think you do. i dont see people as such wusses, and feel they are empowered and are able to take care of themselves

the point of my posts that obviously you dont get..... is this is a basis to putting women in their place. there is too much of it today. there will be more tomorrow, the direction we are going. but it is not just women, it is minorities,.... and liberals... this is all our battle. just one many men on both sides of isle dont feel the need to understand.

there is more to my posts if you chose to actually listen instead of seeing them as brow beating, but then that is totally your prerogative.

[trumad]

121. I admit that I've used the word in my lifetime

probably a lot... but to be honest... I can't remember the last time I've used it...maybe it's the influence of DU that keeps me from using offensive words...

I am not advocating that the use of this word is OK...and I defer to those who think it is not. Of course I don't use it with around my mom and daughter....but they do watch televisions shows, like the Daily Show that use it all the time.

It's a simple question to my fellow DUers about a word that is mainstream. I appreciate the answers and like I said, it helps educate me to what's good and what's bad.

tru

[seabeyond]

132. thank you for your post n/t

[Der Blaue Engel]

109. I've plenty of black people say the n-word, too

But it would sound a lot different coming out of my white mouth.

[Dora]

110. Yeah, and I've heard black people use the word n****r

But that doesn't mean it isn't offensive. Likewise, when my best friend calls her girlfriend a dyke, it means something very different from Joe Moran's use of the word.

So, I'm curious. How many people alerted on the post that motivated this thread? I know I was one.

[Annces]

126. What would you consider insulting?

So you don't think pussy is insulting, then what is?

[trumad]

129. I do and I don't...

I respect that you think it is and I will most likely not use it because of that. I don't think it's the most offensive word in the world...but again, I respect where you are coming from.

[William Bloode]

147. Yes i would.

It would not bother my mother or my grandma one tiny bit.

[progressivebydesign]

159. You obviously don't know my Mom or grandma!

Hey.. I'm a female and I couldn't care less about that term. Of course, I have been known to call people "dicks" as well. Life it too short to walk around doing battle against every perceived slight.

[Marr]

117. If it's directed at a pussy, why do you care if it's offensive?

He won't do anything.

:)

[Der Blaue Engel]

140. My pussy might just bite you

:evilgrin:

[Marr]

151. !

I didn't comprehend that statement at first and my head was filled with nightmarish images.

:D

Beautiful kitties, by the way!

[DinahMoeHum]

119. Not only is it vulgar, it's an insult to cats. . .

an insult to these noble feline creatures who prowl amongst us.

:evilgrin:

[SF Bay Area Dem]

136. Many women would find this offensive --- it is a slur ---

--- although like the "F" word it has many connotations but many women that I know do not like it...

[Crankie Avalon]

137. Used as part of a post on a board like this, then yes, probably...

...used in a locker room or Army barracks, then no, not so much.

We should remember this isn't a locker room and there are specific rules of etiquette, here. I think following these rules are a small price to pay for being here and continuing to be exposed to the input of all rather than indulging in that locker room talk and scaring a sizable segment of the members off.

[Der Blaue Engel]

138. Mainstream doesn't make it inoffensive

Insulting words are often funny coming from comedians because of their sheer wrongness. (Ever watch South Park?) That doesn't make them less demeaning.

As a woman, I sometimes use the word for the same reason.

But its prevalence only points out the trivializing of the insult. Come on, it's only used to make someone feel inferior and weak, so what's the big deal if its greater implication is that women are inferior and weak, right?

I have to remind my 15-yr-old son not to call things/people "bitch" when he's mad at them or "gay" when he thinks they're stupid, because it's so mainstream among his peers that it automatically comes out of his mouth. He doesn't mean to insult women and gay people, but it's still wrong for him to say it, meant as an insult to them or not.

[CatWoman]

141. What's a little pussy among friends?

:rofl:

See I have four of them. What's the problem?

:rofl:

[TygrBright]

142. My cat gets QUITE offended by it. He firmly believes...

...that he is a ferocious carnivorous predator of the lion/tiger/leopard/cheetah/panther type. Call him "pussy" or "kitty" and he gets SERIOUSLY annoyed.

And you DON'T want him seriously annoyed. Really. Trust me.

informatively,
Bright

[Orsino]

148. Yeah. It's demeaning to women...

...even more so than calling someone a dick. "Pussy" connotes weakness and servility.

[Subdivisions]

150. When did a vagina become a 'pussy" and

an asshole become a "dick"?

[progressivebydesign]

154. I think people get their panties in a bunch about everything these days...

Some people spend their lives now looking for reasons to be offended and angry... they have a hair trigger for anything. To the people that have to see offense in everything they don't agree with... light up. Life is so temporary, don't spend the little time we have being angry.

[William Bloode]

166. Not to mention,

There are so many things in this world that are truly painful, i suggest such people grow some thick skin. The worlds a nasty place, much to nasty and hard to worry about something so insignificant. When i got stabbed did i find it offensive he called me a pussy before he did? No i was frickin' worried about being stabbed.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

155. In that context, sure.

In other contexts, like "shit, my pussy itches," I haven't got a problem with it.

[seabeyond]

164. that one made me laugh. thanks. n/t

[mzteris]

171. extremely offensive....

using women's genitalia is an insult - How?

Is it being a woman?

Being something that "gets f----d"?

What, exactly?

Is being a woman somehow "LESS" than being a MAN?

Is being the bodypart of a woman that gets USED by a man (in some cases) something that is inherently LOW?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

172. There's no such thing as "offensive".

Rather than asking "is X offensive", one should ask "will people take offence at X", for which the answer is "yes" for all values of X, or "Which people, in which contexts, will take offence at X".

In the case of "pussy" used in the sense you're proposing there are two groups of people who might potentially take offence - those who regard it as bad language, and those who regard it as mysogynistic.

I don't think there'll be terribly many of either, though.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

174. Yes, offensive

Lousy visual, too.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

175. I'm going to lock this.

While specific words are not automatically forbidden, members should avoid using racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted terminology. This includes gender-specific terms.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules_detailed.html

best,
wakemeupwhenitsover
DU Moderator