Can the word "Witch" refer to a man?

cftranslate · Post by **cftranslate** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:21 pm

thanks

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:47 pm

cftranslate wrote:thanks

Yes.

lolwhites · Post by **lolwhites** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:08 pm

Though one could also say "warlock" for a man.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:13 pm

From NOTE. Witch > necromancer (least "sex-y" in 'witch' entry):

necromancer

ﾘnoun

sorcerer, sorceress, (black) magician, wizard, warlock, witch, diviner, occultist, enchanter, enchantress; spiritualist, spiritist, medium; rare thaumaturge, thaumaturgist, theurgist.

Andrew Patterson · Post by **Andrew Patterson** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 12:11 am

When refering to a man who performs the black arts or the Wicca religion, "male witch" is possible, although "worlock" is more common; wizard has a slightly different meaning, and refers to a man who can purportedly perform real magic as opposed to conjuring (notwithstanding that this is in fact impossible.) Either way, the practice of the black arts and Wicca is known as witchcraft whether performed by men or women.

As a perjorative term, I have only ever heard it applied to women, however.

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 12:16 am

If we have to say "male witch" then the answer is no. In general, witch is a word with an extremely feminine connotation, and that's the most important thing for any student to know.

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 2:15 am

I mean of course Metal is strictly correct, but isn't his answer also the most misleading answer that could be given?

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:53 am

woodcutter wrote:In general, witch is a word with an extremely feminine connotation

Hmmm. "An extremely feminine witch." Now that sounds like someone I'd like to know!

Larry Latham

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:05 am

Andrew Patterson wrote:When refering to a man who performs the black arts or the Wicca religion, "male witch" is possible, although "worlock" is more common; wizard has a slightly different meaning, and refers to a man who can purportedly perform real magic as opposed to conjuring (notwithstanding that this is in fact impossible.) Either way, the practice of the black arts and Wicca is known as witchcraft whether performed by men or women.

As a perjorative term, I have only ever heard it applied to women, however.

Our modern English word "witch" is the correct term for anyone who practices witchcraft, the magickal arts of a witch.

Warlocks: According to The Book Of Shadows warlocks are evil demons, or people who hunt and kill witches. They are former witches who failed to follow the the Wiccan Rede(see below.)In reality, the term warlock comes from the Old English word "waerloga"meaning "oath-breaker."

I should know, I used to live with a witch (man) in Totnes, Devon.
----

The Tedeschis translate the original into clear idiomatic English. The one fault with their translation is their use of ‘warlock’ to mean a male witch; the Italian has masculine and feminine forms of one word (strega). This unfortunate choice only reinforces the misconception that ‘warlock’ is the correct term for a male witch.

http://www.kings.edu/womens_history/wit ... zburg.html

lolwhites · Post by **lolwhites** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:14 am

This unfortunate choice only reinforces the misconception that ‘warlock’ is the correct term for a male witch

I stand corrected

JuanTwoThree · Post by **JuanTwoThree** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:42 am

"My cousin is a surgeon/nurse/pilot/witch". If you instantly picture man/woman/man/woman then the problem is your assumptions. I must say though that I'm as guilty as the next man (OOPS)

lolwhites · Post by **lolwhites** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:58 am

Hear, hear, Juan! My uncle is a nurse and my aunt is a doctor.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:16 pm

JuanTwoThree wrote:"My cousin is a surgeon/nurse/pilot/witch". If you instantly picture man/woman/man/woman then the problem is your assumptions. I must say though that I'm as guilty as the next man (OOPS)

Just try telling that all to the next little girl and boy who come round trick or treating next Halloween, the boy vehemently denying he is a witch (your seemingly cruel but well-intentioned i.e. ultimately "educational" jibe at him), even though he does look a bit like one, but only 'because the stoopid store don't sell no wizard hats, man/old man/crazy old man/grandpa/something not as complimentary as the previous vocatives.'

skyfyre · Post by **skyfyre** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 12:07 pm

Okay, I am a real-live-honest-to-goodness-card-carrying Witch ( wiccan, pagan) priestess, and in fact the word witch refers to both men and women., if you are using the word to describe someone who practises a goddess based, multi-theistic, earth based religion. If you are referring to someone who is mean, difficult, spiteful, ugly, or any other similar term, "we" would rather that you not use the word witch regardless of whether the person spoken of is male or female

As for the term "warlok" or "worlok" any true practiser of the wiccan religion, would be hurt if you referred to him as such. It means "deceiver". However, in the mundane world, most people are not aware of these nuances, and largely because of Hollywood, and fictional writtings, they tend to use the inappropriate term of Warlok to mean a male witch.
Blessed Be

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 12:18 pm

Another summoning! First the geologist, and now a witch! Come on Terry Badoo, let's be having you....

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Can the word "Witch" refer to a man?

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Can the word "witch" refer to a man?