I recently came across this video of Germaine Greer discussing that particularly C word. If you would like to watch it, you should do so now before it is removed from youtube - (not for its 'offensive' content but most likely some copyright grounds or something).
Because I'm bored and full of self importance, I have decided to share my views on what she speaks of.
Greer at the beginning of the video wants to naturalise the word cunt; to use it to describe lady parts and for it to be part of common language. She points out that vagina basically means 'sword sheath' and was made up by a load of men so she doesn't really like the word vagina much.
But for me, I do not believe cunt is much better. I am not offended by the word but I do not think it should be the official word for a woman's nether regions. It is a great swear word and this is how I only use it, in the same way as I will use swear words for other things (including male appendages) which I would never use to describe the real thing (unless I like the word and feel the word is a fitting description for a thing).
To paraphrase myself: the are millions of more creative ways to murder the English language than to use profanities.
The word cunt has long interested me because it is an Anglo-Saxon word (when many other swear words are not) and was not considered a swear word when Anglo-Saxons were loitering around England speaking a lot. This means that the word basically means vagina in another language. So why then should it be offensive?
Greer initially wants us to reclaim the word and use it for its actual meaning but there are a couple of things she does not address in the video:
First, she assumes the usual censorship of the word cunt is down to some kind of female power integral to the word. She doesn't seem to consider that the word might be seen as misogynistic and could be censored mainly to avoid encouraging abuse towards women. The word could be seen as derogatory and might legitimise sexism or even violence towards women. In that sense, the censoring of the word might be a highly positive act rather than a kind of cowardice (although I think there certainly exists a culture of fear or mistrust of women's bodily functions).
Second, she does not look at other swear words which also are seen unjustifiably as offensive. Shit and piss are considered reasonably offensive whereas poo and wee are terms children can use. Since shit and piss mean exactly the same thing as poo and wee, there must be some other reason why they would be considered offensive.
It appears to me that it is merely the sound of the word that matters, not the meaning. Most 'offensive' swear words are short and include harsh consonant sounds. Less offensive terms seem to have longer vowel sounds.
Problem solved I guess.
So in conclusion I do not use swear words to describe parts of the human body unless I want to, in which case I will use them. I did use some words in my latest book, which includes words to describe body parts as well as other things one can find in this world. I don't remember if I used the word cunt in my book but I'm pretty sure I used the word vagina.
You can buy this book, and make me richer(ish) right here. It is called Occult for Instant Coffee. It is a book about witchcraft and manipulation. You should buy it.
And even read it.
Over and out for now, guys!
xxx
Because I'm bored and full of self importance, I have decided to share my views on what she speaks of.
Greer at the beginning of the video wants to naturalise the word cunt; to use it to describe lady parts and for it to be part of common language. She points out that vagina basically means 'sword sheath' and was made up by a load of men so she doesn't really like the word vagina much.
But for me, I do not believe cunt is much better. I am not offended by the word but I do not think it should be the official word for a woman's nether regions. It is a great swear word and this is how I only use it, in the same way as I will use swear words for other things (including male appendages) which I would never use to describe the real thing (unless I like the word and feel the word is a fitting description for a thing).
To paraphrase myself: the are millions of more creative ways to murder the English language than to use profanities.
The word cunt has long interested me because it is an Anglo-Saxon word (when many other swear words are not) and was not considered a swear word when Anglo-Saxons were loitering around England speaking a lot. This means that the word basically means vagina in another language. So why then should it be offensive?
Greer initially wants us to reclaim the word and use it for its actual meaning but there are a couple of things she does not address in the video:
First, she assumes the usual censorship of the word cunt is down to some kind of female power integral to the word. She doesn't seem to consider that the word might be seen as misogynistic and could be censored mainly to avoid encouraging abuse towards women. The word could be seen as derogatory and might legitimise sexism or even violence towards women. In that sense, the censoring of the word might be a highly positive act rather than a kind of cowardice (although I think there certainly exists a culture of fear or mistrust of women's bodily functions).
Second, she does not look at other swear words which also are seen unjustifiably as offensive. Shit and piss are considered reasonably offensive whereas poo and wee are terms children can use. Since shit and piss mean exactly the same thing as poo and wee, there must be some other reason why they would be considered offensive.
It appears to me that it is merely the sound of the word that matters, not the meaning. Most 'offensive' swear words are short and include harsh consonant sounds. Less offensive terms seem to have longer vowel sounds.
Problem solved I guess.
So in conclusion I do not use swear words to describe parts of the human body unless I want to, in which case I will use them. I did use some words in my latest book, which includes words to describe body parts as well as other things one can find in this world. I don't remember if I used the word cunt in my book but I'm pretty sure I used the word vagina.
You can buy this book, and make me richer(ish) right here. It is called Occult for Instant Coffee. It is a book about witchcraft and manipulation. You should buy it.
And even read it.
Over and out for now, guys!
xxx
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