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Why is one particular four-letter word, beginning with "c," still offensive?
The "f" word, the four-letter word for feces, four and five letter words for "penis," even words like "boobs," and the three letter word for "behind" plus others are more or less accepted. They cause no special notice when used in many conversations. Even the "n" word for African-Americans can be used by African-Americans humorously, with some edge but no special angst (obviously if used as a racial epithet the case is different). It is found in _Adventures of Huckleberry Finn._ One hears some of these words on television.
However, notwithstanding its use in _Lady Chatterley's Lover_ and in Eve Ensler's _The Vagina Monologues,_ this "c" term has so far proved unsalvagable. Shakespeare plays with it in _Hamlet,_ though obliquely. Does it have to do with its sound? Why has the word continued to be one viewed with opprobrium? What sets it apart from other terms, scatological, objectionable, upsetting, or otherwise offensive?
4 Answers
- David ALv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
What a great, well-worded question. This is one of the best questions I've ever seen on Yahoo- especially in this category! You have worded things especially well, taking care not to offend anyone (especially the Yahoo censors.)
More's the pity that I do not have a definitive answer for you. Though I had heard the word beforehand, I have loved it ever since I read the D.H Lawrence novel you mentioned! Many women, including my wife, seem to take great offense at it. Yet, some female comedians use it often. I don't like the term when it is used in a derogatory or derisive name-calling. But I absolutely love the word when it is used to denote a lovely, honey-filled, female body part. It is one of my favorite words, but I must keep it to myself! Why is it still offensive? I hope you get some good answers.
Source(s): years + English/writing degree - Anonymous6 years ago
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Why is one particular four-letter word, beginning with "c," still offensive?
The "f" word, the four-letter word for feces, four and five letter words for "penis," even words like "boobs," and the three letter word for "behind" plus others are more or less accepted. They cause no special notice when used in many conversations. Even the...
Source(s): letter word beginning quot quot offensive: https://tr.im/nSmaC - Anonymous8 years ago
Before Shakespeare, Chaucer punned on the c-word as it corresponded to the Middle English word for strange/quaint. The root "kunta" happens to be one of the oldest words in Indo-European languages and perhaps due to its aspirated K the word comes across as very harsh and offensive.
Source(s): The Canterbury Tales - gutenberg.com and elsewhere - TerryLv 78 years ago
Let me answer you bluntly , If you used that word on me,I would find it very offensive and probably smack you right on the nose. You would not call me that twice. I don't care who's's book it's in or who uses it . Some of us object to it strongly, same as any other swear word.
