Quote:
Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Though I seriously doubt paigow's hurt feelings are more than feigned, I have to ask the women of the board --- what's the current feeling on womyn-centric name-calling?
Let's leave aside the c-word, which is unspeakable and a hot-button issue unto itself. But how about "bitch"? Is it sexist and loaded and unfair, or just the feminine-gendered "asshole"? Are there any women who would prefer to be called a "dick"? Or an "asshole" or "prick"? What do we do with women who are cowardly --- can we call such woman "pussies" without it being mistaken for a sexual slur? Let's assume, for the moment, that we won't succeed in stamping out the use of the p-word as applied to men; does it minimize the slight to women to have it apply to them based on an ungendered character flaw?
Inquiring minds want to know.
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You raise an interesting question. As food for thought, I will share with you the following: it is my esteemed husband's view that you can't call women "assholes" (mind you, his view is not motivated by anything resembling a gentile notion that one does not call women names, or the thought that one must always treat women with respect and kindness -- heaven forfend), but because it is gender-specific to men.
I disagree with that view, but there you have it.
To answer your inquiry, I think the use of the p-word (hey -- why are we using euphemisms? I thought we can cuss here!) where it is clear that the intent behind the slur is to impugn one's bravery, no additional slight would be perceived (by me anyway).
I do recall reading somewhere that some class-act (I think it was Roseanne Barr -- when she was a powerful person in H-wood) co-opted the phrase "suck my dick" to great effect, i.e., she had become so powerful, she was like a man.
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