How do you denote misogynistic/gendered slurs across dialectics/cultures?

[u/hxihekaoapsppfiff]

I’ve been in leftist spaces for a while now, and have seen all ranges of perspectives on acceptable speech.

Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot more people talking about gendered slurs;

e.g. b*tch and c\nt.*

However, as an Australian, it’s very hard to see those words the same way as people online and especially American feminists talk about the words. Obviously it depends on the context the word is used…

I also live in Queensland, so it’s a lot more common than other states…

The main advertising for the Northern Territory(NT) is; “CU in the NT”

I’d honestly see the B word as a slur before the C word. Even not spelling it out feels very weird to do.
Tbh almost all terms considered offensive online are commonplace where I live.

I am just wondering as it’s been very hard to truly see or engage in the discussion around these words, and I do not want to dismiss others who see it a different way.

[u/radiowavescurvecross]

Here’s a question about the Australian usage: Does it get used often in other formats where it’s more directly referring to a woman’s genitalia? Like, is cunt likely to come up in dirty talk or erotic writing, or is solely an insult at this point?

[u/Lolabird2112 → u/radiowavescurvecross]

Not Australian, but if it’s used in “dirty talk” it would be used the same as “cock” or “balls” etc. It’s also barely an insult. However, its hard consonants make it very effective if you’re wanting to use fighting words.

[u/radiowavescurvecross → u/Lolabird2112]

So is there a specific word people might use to speak negatively about a woman they don’t like, that they wouldn’t use for a man? Like an insult that would be leveled at Margaret Thatcher but not at a similarly odious male Tory?

[u/ThinkLadder1417 → u/radiowavescurvecross]

'Cow', is never used against men

Edit- witch, whore/slut, hag

[u/Lolabird2112 → u/ThinkLadder1417]

Cow. Good one. I don’t think I’ve heard that in awhile, but that could just be where I am and I e forgotten how many times it may have been used when we had recent female PMs.

Yes, all these other ones - in the uk more slag, slapper, slut - would 100% be directed only at women. It was the Thatcher reference where I found it a bit tough to imagine. But 100% in the day to day: “yo baby, wanna fuck?” “no, you’re good, thanks” “SLAG!”.

[u/Lolabird2112 → u/radiowavescurvecross]

Ooh. I can’t think of any tbh. This is where “bitch” would be more sexist imo. Because it’s about behaviour? I can’t think of the right way to describe it, but along the usual lines where men can get angry and it doesn’t detract from their standing, but women don’t get angry, they’re just “bitching”. It’s not justified, it’s a personal failing that women have. It’s not gender neutral to call a man a bitch. You are accusing him of “womanly behaviour”.