Oh, for clarification, he was not being nice when he said it. I just wanted that to be understood. 

Young girls in Hungary are calling each other bitches is English and they are happy about it. At the same time I don't think they would be happy to be called that from others than their friends or pretty much the same word in Hungarian "szuka". I don't understand the world.

I don't either. The Millennials seem to have differing opinions about how abhorrent the word is. I'm not really sure why. Even when clearly meant as an insult, it doesn't seem to have the same shock value it once did here in the US. I'm Gen Y, and even my understanding is like, "Cunt is a compliment? Since when?" I mean, calling someone a bitch has often been taken as a compliment, but the C word has, been considered a taboo, at least here. It's not something you call a woman over 40 for sure. However, why younger women are okay with the epithet is beyond me.  

The word is off-limits in North America, and should be. Let the commonwealth nations keep it, is my opinion.    

I find the "take an insult as a compliment" mentality fairly common in my generation. Also, swearing doesn't seem like as big of a deal with young people. Then there is the internet which makes being exposed to other ways of speaking (ex. Aussies) easier... That's my best guest.

IRL I don't curse all that much at all, I have a swear jar to break the habit. I was so worried that the Kids' first words were going to be one of those no no words..

I think a lot of them have lost their meaning... although here people are still pretty reserved about expanding their vocabulary. I find it funny and a little endearing for an older guy to say a curse word in front of me, then notice that I was there and then get all red-faced and say, "pardon my language miss.." I'm like... aww.. lol.

I'll personally never accept the C word though.. it is just too ugly of a word.. ugly sounding.. used in context is pretty awful too. Even in a jokingly manner.. I wouldn't appreciate it. I just don't like the word so I don't really want to hear it and I definitely don't want to be called one..

The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first recorded us of the word as occurring in a street name: 'Grope Cunt Lane' but in my experience it is usually used as a swear word, though occasionally heterosexual men use the word to refer to the relevant part of the female anatomy.

It is one of the words it is unwise to use in the hearing of people one doesn't know well, which suggests not using it in a semi-public forum such as most parts of this site.

The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first recorded us of the word as occurring in a street name: 'Grope Cunt Lane' but in my experience it is usually used as a swear word, though occasionally heterosexual men use the word to refer to the relevant part of the female anatomy.

 

It is one of the words it is unwise to use in the hearing of people one doesn't know well, which suggests not using it in a semi-public forum such as most parts of this site.

it seems many Gropecunt Lanes appeared in various English towns in the 1200s when it was common for trades to be grouped together in the same street. And prostitution being the oldest trade was no different - the word was simply descriptive of the female genital area, and had no offensive meaning. It's only since the 1500s that use and meaning of the word changed. All those streets were then renamed In the UK it is still the most shocking word.

Which is a good thing.

We need words that have the power to shock. In the UK these words are, for most people, the last resort. Much better to exchange a shocking word in a moment of anger than a bullet.

I use this word (and worse) all the time.  Censorship is a vile practice.  "Clean" words can be used far more hatefully and to much more effect than any "curse" word.

I use this word (and worse) all the time.  Censorship is a vile practice.  "Clean" words can be used far more hatefully and to much more effect than any "curse" word.

I'm not big on censorship, but if a word is meant to be vulgar and offensive, then it should be treated as a vulgar and offensive word, especially if it's being used in this context. In American English, this is how cunt is defined. It shouldn't lose its meaning by becoming less offensive, whether it is censored or not. It should be understood to be a disrespectful word, whether referring to a woman or her genitals or having coitus with a woman. 

You probably wouldn't have enjoyed Bob the Drag Queen's first appearance on Rupaul's Drag Race.  She had on this little white body suit that had "unt" across her tummy in black letters and one sleeve in black.  When she put her hand on her hip...  Then there's the "Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent" mantra they've been repeating for over 110 episodes. 

"Cunt" has been part of the "reclamation movement" for a while now.  Inga Musico published Cunt: A Declaration of Independence back in 1998 (dude, it was right next to the bookstore register and had "cunt" in big letters, of course I bought it), and she was more a sign of the times than a harbinger.  Of course, it's still highly taboo for those not in possession of a "cunt" to use the word (much like the n-word, fag, faggot, etc is taboo for those outside of those particular groups), and it's even fairly taboo and problematic for those within that group.  However, it has been one way to remove the negative and hateful associations tied to that word.  And it has worked.  Yes, "cunt" and "bitch" are still used as epithets, but they've lost their bite. 

I use this word (and worse) all the time.  Censorship is a vile practice.  "Clean" words can be used far more hatefully and to much more effect than any "curse" word.

So, every time someone says something abusive, disrespectful and demeaning I not only have to tolerate but actually accept it, because otherwise I would censor them? IMO this is an overly simplistic understanding of the problem. 

You probably wouldn't have enjoyed Bob the Drag Queen's first appearance on Rupaul's Drag Race.  She had on this little white body suit that had "unt" across her tummy in black letters and one sleeve in black.  When she put her hand on her hip...  Then there's the "Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent" mantra they've been repeating for over 110 episodes. 

 

"Cunt" has been part of the "reclamation movement" for a while now.  Inga Musico published Cunt: A Declaration of Independence back in 1998 (dude, it was right next to the bookstore register and had "cunt" in big letters, of course I bought it), and she was more a sign of the times than a harbinger.  Of course, it's still highly taboo for those not in possession of a "cunt" to use the word (much like the n-word, fag, faggot, etc is taboo for those outside of those particular groups), and it's even fairly taboo and problematic for those within that group.  However, it has been one way to remove the negative and hateful associations tied to that word.  And it has worked.  Yes, "cunt" and "bitch" are still used as epithets, but they've lost their bite. 

Clearly, they have lost their bite, but is this really a good thing? Moreover, I think it's a double-edged sword in which people can use disrespectful words and get away with it. Racism, sexism, and heterosexism are still major problems, and by "reclaiming" these words, we give people permission to use words like cunt, faggot, nigger, and honkey as if they're saying puppy. These are not innocent words. They are filthy words, meant to disparage based on gender, sexual orientation, and race. I'm all for Freedom of Speech, but Freedom of Speech ends when it infringes upon the civil liberties of others. Offending them is fine. Slander and/or inciting violence against a group of people through words like these (and yes, they're still strong enough) is still a way to infringe upon the rights of others in this way.