Korean Job Discussion Forums

Big_Bird · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject: I love the C-word

There's a bit of controversy being whipped up in the UK at the moment since it has come to the media's attention that the BBC is planning to air a documentary called I Love the C-Word

It's a word that's lost a lot of its clout in Brittain, and when I live there I hear it frequently, and (depending on the company) feel little inhibition about using it myself. However, I've noticed it's not used much by polite Australians, and Americans seem to find it really abhorrant. Notice the dearth of the C-word in American movies - yet it's used quite often in British film and late night TV. I recently found out that this is perhaps because Brits and Yanks use it differently. In America it usually refers to women, but in the UK it's usually used to refer to men.

I was up very early one day last week, and there happened to be showing one of the old British Carry On movies from the 70s. One of the characters said "Oh aren't I a silly old constable?" (pronounced "aren't I a silly old cun t - slight pause - stuble") and I realised it's long been somewhat accepted in mainstream British culture.

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

Well, in the U.S., we can actually use the word "bloody" without repercussion.

Big_Bird · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject:

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

rockstarsmooth · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Location: anyang, baybee!

it's definitely a word with shock value in canada, most women i know are extremely uncomfortable with it. i, on the other hand, love it! mind you, i use it to refer to a specific body part, not for name-calling. there are so many good words for people i don't like, why use one that is a good word for my pooosay? kinda derogatory towards my bits, dontcha think?
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right now i'm listening to: the unicorns - let's get known

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

I think using the c word is a Brittish thing.
Since I'm not Brittish, I'm not in the habit of using it.

canuckistan · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:21 pm Post subject:

I think there's far more imaginitive words to throw around.

Big_Bird · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:23 pm Post subject:

JMO · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

I thought it was normally pronounced caunt on British telly, or is that just for london accents? I never use it and Im Irish. Thats just me however and not because its I find it repugnant. I have called ppl a fanny before as in 'F*ck off you fanny' or 'stop fannying around'. The word tw*t is also used but not so much anymore as far as i know. These all of course mean the same thing.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

See you next Tuesday.

Wink

Big_Bird · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:54 pm Post subject:

Big_Bird · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject:

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:02 am Post subject:

If a man said that about a female in my family to my face in her presence then i would have to assault the guy physically or - better - verbally in all preparation for him to try and hit me. (Or at least i would've when I was younger. As I get older and travel more, I tolerate more.)

It is that explosive.

But with younger generations or accents from other cultures I wouldn't be sure of the depth of the insult.

When i was young it was THE worst word in the English language. Seriously, in the parts of West coast Canada I grew up it was.

But for a guy to say it about another guy... man I would just have to laugh. Maybe it's intended on par with the p-word. But when hearing words used in unfamiliar ways its hard to get insulted even if one is aware of that intention.

Big_Bird · Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:09 am Post subject:

In the UK it's usually used to mean:

a) a total B'stard (i.e. a thoroughly unpleasant fellow)
b) a silly knob ~ (i.e. a foolish fellow)

and only sometimes:
c) a part of a woman's anatomy

I'd never really heard it directed at a woman...until an American man called me one. I was quite surprised!

ChimpumCallao · Joined: 17 May 2005 Location: your mom

it depends...i think all words are fine and dandy to use and it doesnt make me uncomfortable in the slightest. i say it when appropriate.

i dont think its so much the word or ANY word, but how they are used.

its different if someone says it talking about someone else, to make language more colorful, or in the throes of 'passion'....but if someone called me a fat ugly CUN tuesday, i'd be offended....but just as equally offended at being called ugly and fat.