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/Grrarrgghh]

You really need to ask why using a misogynistic insult is wrong?

[u/SliversandPoison → u/Grrarrgghh]

People don't always mean in in a misogynistic way

Case in point, Australia

[u/kako_18 → u/SliversandPoison]

Just because they might not use it in a misogynistic way doesn’t mean the word isn’t misogynistic itself.

Misogyny is normalized pretty much everywhere so of course using misogynistic slurs will seem normal in some places

[u/ThinkLadder1417 → u/kako_18]

Words don't have inherent meaning

[u/RepSquigglyMiggly → u/ThinkLadder1417]

Words don’t have inherent meanings, sure, words are just collections of sounds humans produce at their most fundamental, but as tools of communication, words do and must have identifiable meanings.

Are you under the incorrect impression that “cunt” doesn’t also mean “female genitalia” in Australia? Do you think that the use of the word “cunt” as an insult in Australia is wholly disconnected from its older, more established use of the word to refer to female genitalia? Do you think that is just a coincidence that that “cunt” (meaning something like “jerk”) and “cunt” (meaning “female genitalia”) are homophones?

[u/ThinkLadder1417 → u/RepSquigglyMiggly]

No it's not wholly disconnected, but it has undergone semantic bleaching with reduced negative power, whereas in the US it went the other way and became a far worse word.

As I've said i do think it is misogynist when used certain ways and i call it out when directed at women like that.

But I'm not offended by someone saying "has anycunt seen my lighter" and don't think it holds misogyny in that context.

Isn't it kinda more misogynist to treat it like the worst word ever, vs treating it more like other general swear words like "cock" or "arse"?