The New Intimacy

Do you use the word "bitch"?

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Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by kck
I'm reading a lot of feminist theory and criticism as part of an internship, and it's really making me think about how we internalize some things that society puts forth. Take, for example, the word "bitch." I really don't like ... more
I am really big into feminist theory and women's studies and gender studies and all that jazz so I really hate words/phrases like "bitch". I am guilty of using it on rare occasion though but I use it gender-neutral and it isn't women-only and I don't use it as a way to "feminize and imasculate" men either. But I really try to steer away from any sexist/heteronormative insults or ways of thinking. It's a challenge in our society but it's worth the effort because maybe it'll be a domino affect and it'll help influence someone else along the way.

As for the reclaiming of the word, I'm all for it! But that is even harder to do than trying to get people to stop using it. But again, worth the effort at least. The worst someone can do is not have an opinion on it and stay silent.
07/26/2010
Contributor: kck kck
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Jen
I am really big into feminist theory and women's studies and gender studies and all that jazz so I really hate words/phrases like "bitch". I am guilty of using it on rare occasion though but I use it gender-neutral and it isn't ... more
You pretty much summed up the way I feel
07/26/2010
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by kck
You pretty much summed up the way I feel
Awesome! High-fives!
07/26/2010
Contributor: Lonewolf Lonewolf
I'm comfortable with it. Actually, I generally call men bitches more than women, just one's I know really well, though.
10/13/2010
Contributor: Hot'n'Bothered Hot'n'Bothered
I don't like it....and seldom use it (or really any curse)....

We try to keep all of that to a very bare minimum (IE only situations that truly deserve such a reaction) because we have little ones.
10/13/2010
Contributor: Not here Not here
I swear like a sailor. Like, really bad. But, I also believe that the words you say only have the meaning you allow them to have. Bitch means "female dog," literally. Sure, if someone says bitch, cunt, or slut with the intent to hurt another person's feelings, then I find it inappropriate. But I generally don't use terms like than in a derogatory manner.
10/13/2010
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
Quote:
Originally posted by gone77
YES!

I swear like a sailor and use bitch all the bloody time in reference to just about everything. It's usually either playful or derogatory. If I'm using bitch (or any other word) in a degrading or derogatory way, there will be no ... more
Exactly. I am the exact same.
10/14/2010
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
I do use the word "bitch" all too often. I also refer to myself as a bitch at times and have described myself as "bitchy".
In the long run, almost any term can be derogatory or hateful if used in a mean way accompanied by a certain tone.
10/14/2010
Contributor: Mistress M. Mistress M.
I try to use the word as sparingly as possible. Usually its if I'm upset about something, or someone.
02/13/2011
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
I don't mind it.
Sometimes I refer to myself as being a bitch if I'm having a bad day. Or if some idiot female driver does something dumb.

And sometimes I will playfully use it like if I was in a all female relationship - I'd say she was my bitch. It's not meant as a put down - I think it's cute in that term.
02/13/2011
Contributor: That Guy That Guy
I know I'm supposed to feel uncomfortable, but that's the only reason I do, so I guess it's a bit hypocritical of me. It's certainly no worse than people using the word "dick" to describe a man they find distasteful, but that doesn't make it appropriate. I try not to have too many hang ups, but I also strive not to hurt other people's feelings when I can avoid it.
02/13/2011
Contributor: TheSinDoll TheSinDoll
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
I use it in a sexual and asshole context. If I am very pissed off, or someone is acting what I perceive to be "bitchy," I will call them a bitch. I am comfortable with the word, and alright with using it. I do not use it often, but I do use ... more
This works for me too.
02/14/2011
Contributor: KikiChrome KikiChrome
Can I elaborate that I use the word "bitch" in reference to my MALE friends only... and only as a term of endearment.

Mostly I just use it in reference to myself. It is very apropos.
02/14/2011
Contributor: UnknownGirl UnknownGirl
It's just a word. Words are only as provocative, vulgar, and offensive as we let them be.
02/14/2011
Contributor: Stephanie Marie Stephanie Marie
Other ..I use the word bitch whenever I feel like it. I use it referencing to myself and others. I really don't care. Bitch can be a very good word sometimes.
02/15/2011
Contributor: markeagleone markeagleone
Quote:
Originally posted by kck
I'm reading a lot of feminist theory and criticism as part of an internship, and it's really making me think about how we internalize some things that society puts forth. Take, for example, the word "bitch." I really don't like ... more
I usually use it as life is a bitch, but I very, very rarely have referred a person as one. I also don't use it as intended when speaking of an animal.
02/16/2011
Contributor: Persephone's Addiction Persephone's Addiction
When I'm upset with someone, I'm much more likely to call them an asshole, a fucker, etc.
Bitch, for me, isn't a derogatory term and I don't use it like one. When I saw Red, my boyfriend and I agreed that Helen Mirren was a "badass bitch" - because she was awesome. He calls me a "sexy bitch" - I use the term in the same way. It's a strong, female word - and I've reclaimed it.
02/16/2011
Contributor: Redboxbaby Redboxbaby
I have no idea why some seem to get so bent out of shape over the word "bitch". Simply put it means:
B road
I n
T otal
C ontrol of
H erself
02/16/2011
Contributor: big b big b
bitch'in
06/28/2011
Contributor: Noira Celestia Noira Celestia
Hmm... Well I don't like it when my mother calls me a bitch because she is just rude. I don't think I really use the word bitch directed at a person, sometimes directed at a group of people (regardless of gender) but rarely seriously. I use the word fuck a lot more than bitch. I'm more likely to call someone a douche bag.
06/28/2011
Contributor: Sinfully Sinfully
Doesn't bother me a bit.
06/28/2011
Contributor: Ms. Paprika Ms. Paprika
I use the word mostly as a positive thing, like describing myself. However, I do sometimes use it in a derogatory sense, like: "That's a real bitch to figure out." I also rarely use it when words fail me in describing someone for whom "catty" doesn't cut it. It all comes down to the context and tone.
06/28/2011
Contributor: Inwitari Inwitari
I am not uncomfortable using the word, although I don't use it to describe women or myself. I mostly use it to mean complain, as in "bitching" about something. When I do use it in a derogatory sense I use it against guys. The same way I prefer to use the term "asshole" against females, it surprises them.
06/28/2011
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
To me, it all depends on who's saying it and how they intend it to be taken.

My friends and I use the word "bitch" playfully all the time, in reference to ourselves and one another. I also say it to refer to women who are annoying or irritable, but generally out of earshot of them. I also often refer to machinery as "bitch" (the vending machine at work is my bitch, for example), but I dunno if that's really relevant.

As for other people, if someone calls me or a friend of mine a bitch and they clearly mean it as an insult, then I get angry, and if I used it to insult someone else I'd expect them to be angry, too (it's only fair). Someone who just uses it casually without meaning to insult can be annoying at times, but I don't think it's offensive.

Finally, if I'm feeling irritable or aggressive myself, I say that I'm "feeling bitchy" or if I get angry then I'm "having a bitch-fit."
06/28/2011
Contributor: tickle me pink tickle me pink
I admit I use the word very frequently for all kinds of situations. I'll use it for both genders and in situations both when I'm joking around and when I'm pissed.
06/28/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
i drop it occasionally. i don't mean it in a derogatory sense though
06/29/2011
Contributor: v23 v23
I use the word comfortably and I suppose somewhat often compared to others. I use it to refer to myself and friends. Its not a big deal to me. I actually use it at times as a term of empowerment. Example-I'm a bad bitch. To me a bad bitch is a female who is confident, has her life together, and knows exactly what she wants. I don't use it in a negative way and I don't liked to be referred to as a bitch in a negative way either. It all depends on how its said and the words its used with, not the word itself.
06/29/2011
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
I don't often use 'proper' swear words. I find them too limiting. I prefer, instead, to make up my own, or use old fashioned ones. But I do use the word 'biatch' in a slightly mocking and humourous tone.
06/29/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
"Bitch" and "Asshole" are the two words I'll use only to cuss at annoying drivers on the road, or when I'm really upset about something.
06/29/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
I generally only use "bitch" to refer to someone, male or female, who has deliberately or thoughtlessly hurt someone. I'm not against using curse words, but I think that many people overuse them and they become meaningless. When I use a curse word, I want it to have an effect. I want it to shock or offend or at least to be emphatic. Sadly, curse words have become so commonplace, that in many circumstances, people barely even notice them.
06/29/2011