Since it is Friday, I figured I would get a little interactive on you.
I want to blog about something, but in order to do so I need some info from you (you meaning anyone reading this)
What do you think about the word "bitch"?
Do you hate it? Love it? Use it often? Think it depends on the context?
I'm interested in hearing any and all opinions on the word.
Thank you!
Friday, March 17, 2006
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11 comments:
I am pro bitch in familiar contexts. Meaning I like to jokingly refer to a guy as someone's bitch. I like to jokingly refers to my friends as bitches, usually in an envious manner, "You lucky bitch!" I am not pro referring to strong women as either agressive or bitchy. But I am allowed to call myself bitchy. As much as I like the dirty talk I also would prefer that my lover not call me that in any context.
I think it's kind of overused - like women wanted to reclaim it, to make it our own, but it's been so diluted by being used over and over and over that it's practically meaningless now - it has no shock value any more. If there is a girl who warrants an insult, I prefer the word "snatch".
I like it. It's one of those words that just by changing your delivery and harshness can change your entire meaning.
TPK i bet you ARE a big fan of snatch, you saucy minx!
I've never commented in this kind of context before - but I have spent like the last 5 years of my life having this conversation with everyone I know, so I thought what the hell.
I don't use the word bitch, ever. The only times I can even think of are occasional references to things other people have said, to repeat for context purposes. I don't use it because I don't think it's a word that can be divorced from its gendered connotations, ones that seek to define womyn as being whiny and aggressive and 'uppity.' I especially try not to use words that are designed to make men sound bad because they're like womyn, such as some of the previously mentioned phrases. The idea that comparisons to stereotypes about womyn are the worst insult that can be levelled scares me, because it seems to be an ongoing way of putting folks 'in their place' in response to threatening behavior.
So, for example, I'm involved in debate, and I work with college kids to help them learn how to make structured arguments, how to speak articulately, etc. It's a competitive activity, and each contest has a judge. When I was competing, comments that I would make were "bitchy" while the same argument voiced by a male colleague would be "agressive." As a microcosm of a larger societal whole, this idea that the same behavior is viewed differently depending on the speaker is problematic because it's not coincidental that folks that are usually amongst the marginalized are the ones most often on the receiving end of criticism.
That sounds really preachy and not very much fun, I know. I just tend to weigh it out - if I know that a certain word choice can hurt people or reinforce bad stereotypes, I generally just choose another, because there just doesn't seem to be an advantage to doing so.
Sorry if that wasn't what you were looking for.
I love, LOVE the word bitch. I agree that it doesn't have a shock factor anymore, which doesn't really present a problem for me. I like using it to call men "bitches" because...well...I just find that funny. :-)
Samantha
It's tricky, because on some level I do agree with all of Kate's comments. Especially women being considered "bitchy" and men being "aggressive". But I'd like to feel that I've reclaimed the word. Kind of like how in the Vagina monologues one of the monologe-ers reclaims the "C" word and makes everyone shout it. If you ever hear the word coming out of my mouth take it as a compliment. Only my best girl friends are "bitch" to me. However, I say it with a twist of humor so the word usually comes out sounding like "bif" or "bee-yatch". My sister & I started calling each other that years ago. A couple of my beloved former roommies had to quickly adapt when I'd bound into the house and gleefully shout, "Hi bitch! How was your day?" But they soon caught on and would come up to me saying things like, "Bitch, what do you think of this tank top?" It's all love. But I would never assume to call another female that unless we'd passed far into the zone of the overly comfortable. Anyway, it's so over used now. Hip hop has their "Beyotches" and network tv shows are allowed to say it now. It's lost nearly all the shock value.
I agree that it depends on the context. I normally use it only to say "son of a bitch" or to say that someone (or myself) has been "bitching" (i.e. complaining). I am not a huge fan of using it to say that someone is someone else's "bitch" because I don't like the connotation - but I would definitely call someone I considered a "bitch" one (as in a mean or rude way, not as in they are someone's bitch). I think that to say someone is a bitch somehow just doesn't have the negative connotation (at least anymore) that calling someone someone else's bitch does. That's a pretty convoluted explanation but there you go!
i use it preyy much all the time in all contexts and never really gave it a second thought. i also use the word with love ("what's up bitch?").
my husband want sto get our dog a shirt that says "i [heart] bitches".
sarah! why did u unfriend me on myspace?!!!!! whats that about? explain!!! :( im sad!
Work natalie! That's a great comment.
You know I love my bitches- and I could give a shit if someone wants to be a language nazi about it (including Tyra). I'm fiesty today! Watch out!
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