There are so, so many other options
for a good raunchy insult.
I love a good, trashy one-word insult as
much as the next person.
But sometimes, it reaches a point where
the line between an intended generic
insult actually carries undertones of
sexism and a preservation of negative
gender norms, and I find myself cringing
at how diminishing these words are when
there are so, so many other options for a
raunchy insult.
If you hear someone say "you're
being a pussy" or something similar
to that, what is your interpretation
of that phrase?
Pussy is used as a synonym for "weak,"
someone who isn't a daredevil, someone
who is too shy to do something, someone
who is all over failing to meet an
expectation that the person uttering the
word has set for them. It's also a word I
use in an endearing way to refer to my
own genitals, and gee, it's kind of
upsetting to hear a word for my favorite
body part used so negatively.
The fact of the matter is that "pussy" as
an insult is derived from "pussy" as a
word for a vulva and not the other way
around.
I could go on a very long rant about how
this is another prime example of female
attribute being subordinate and
powerless, but I'll just sum that up by
simply acknowledging it. Although there
are different meanings for these words,
I'd like to add that it isn't acceptable to
use "cunt" or "vaj" either.
If someone says "you're being such a
dick," what is the perceived
meaning?
A "dick," is rambunctious, maybe
carelessly selfish, a "dick" might "dick
you over," a "dick" is more aggressive and
actively a jerk compared to the passive
"pussy." "Dick" is also a really hot word
that I use to endearingly refer to penises,
and it's also such a nice touch in anyone's
dirty talk catalog.
Do you see what I'm getting at here? Why
do we use the name of a penis, one of the
most widely used images of power, to
degrade someone and connote negative
elements of power? I thought we were all
about the phallus here in the 21st century,
no?
Now, I imagine you might be sitting there
thinking to yourself, "Geez, I can't use
racial slurs. I can't use the R-word. I can't
say the T-word. My vocabulary is
becoming so limited now, and I don't like
that one bit! How will I express myself?"
Let me count the ways.
"Asshole" is a great insult. We all have
assholes. Now, this isn't my first choice
for an insult, because assholes can totally
be a temple of pleasure, but there are
absolutely no gender-related insults
happening with this gem.
"Douche" is a fantastic insult, as long as
you are aware of the ramifications of
douching. Vaginal douching is not very
good for you. So, douches are bad things
in that sense. Anal douching is fine if
you're trying to make your rectum
immaculate. So, again, we return to the
anus being something that belongs to
everyone. Therefore, I deem the insult,
"douche," acceptable.
"Jerk" is a cool one. It might make you
sound like a midwestern mom or dad, but
it's punchy, am I right?
"Piece of shit" is one I use pretty often.
Again, we all poop! I don't want you all to
get the wrong idea. This isn't a poop-
shaming article, but I am trying to move
the insults away from gendered genitals
specifically.
Well, there you have it. A call to end the
usage of "pussy" and "dick" as insults,
with a few fun recommendations for the
next bag of turds you encounter in your
life.
Folks, none of us are 100% politically
correct, and I, too, have these words
ingrained in my vocabulary as mean
things to say, but take a moment to
become aware of the implications of the
things you say.
for a good raunchy insult.
I love a good, trashy one-word insult as
much as the next person.
But sometimes, it reaches a point where
the line between an intended generic
insult actually carries undertones of
sexism and a preservation of negative
gender norms, and I find myself cringing
at how diminishing these words are when
there are so, so many other options for a
raunchy insult.
If you hear someone say "you're
being a pussy" or something similar
to that, what is your interpretation
of that phrase?
Pussy is used as a synonym for "weak,"
someone who isn't a daredevil, someone
who is too shy to do something, someone
who is all over failing to meet an
expectation that the person uttering the
word has set for them. It's also a word I
use in an endearing way to refer to my
own genitals, and gee, it's kind of
upsetting to hear a word for my favorite
body part used so negatively.
The fact of the matter is that "pussy" as
an insult is derived from "pussy" as a
word for a vulva and not the other way
around.
I could go on a very long rant about how
this is another prime example of female
attribute being subordinate and
powerless, but I'll just sum that up by
simply acknowledging it. Although there
are different meanings for these words,
I'd like to add that it isn't acceptable to
use "cunt" or "vaj" either.
If someone says "you're being such a
dick," what is the perceived
meaning?
A "dick," is rambunctious, maybe
carelessly selfish, a "dick" might "dick
you over," a "dick" is more aggressive and
actively a jerk compared to the passive
"pussy." "Dick" is also a really hot word
that I use to endearingly refer to penises,
and it's also such a nice touch in anyone's
dirty talk catalog.
Do you see what I'm getting at here? Why
do we use the name of a penis, one of the
most widely used images of power, to
degrade someone and connote negative
elements of power? I thought we were all
about the phallus here in the 21st century,
no?
Now, I imagine you might be sitting there
thinking to yourself, "Geez, I can't use
racial slurs. I can't use the R-word. I can't
say the T-word. My vocabulary is
becoming so limited now, and I don't like
that one bit! How will I express myself?"
Let me count the ways.
"Asshole" is a great insult. We all have
assholes. Now, this isn't my first choice
for an insult, because assholes can totally
be a temple of pleasure, but there are
absolutely no gender-related insults
happening with this gem.
"Douche" is a fantastic insult, as long as
you are aware of the ramifications of
douching. Vaginal douching is not very
good for you. So, douches are bad things
in that sense. Anal douching is fine if
you're trying to make your rectum
immaculate. So, again, we return to the
anus being something that belongs to
everyone. Therefore, I deem the insult,
"douche," acceptable.
"Jerk" is a cool one. It might make you
sound like a midwestern mom or dad, but
it's punchy, am I right?
"Piece of shit" is one I use pretty often.
Again, we all poop! I don't want you all to
get the wrong idea. This isn't a poop-
shaming article, but I am trying to move
the insults away from gendered genitals
specifically.
Well, there you have it. A call to end the
usage of "pussy" and "dick" as insults,
with a few fun recommendations for the
next bag of turds you encounter in your
life.
Folks, none of us are 100% politically
correct, and I, too, have these words
ingrained in my vocabulary as mean
things to say, but take a moment to
become aware of the implications of the
things you say.
Comments