[foot-loose]

I wonder - just wonder you understand - if the reason that the word has become a term of insult in our language is because of the Western perception (right or wrong) of women being inferior and degraded in Arabic culture?

Brilliant.

So not only was I being offensive, I was being racist as well.

Ach well, every day's a school day.

Sorry again.

[S4B]

Want Topher's stepladder?

[foot-loose]

No, i'll just stay down here.

[catherine]

You wasn't being racist footy. In birmingham people say 'ah you silly bint' its just one of those words its abit like the word minx i suppose, you don't hear it often but some people take it badly and some people don't batter an eyelid.

[Yudster]

"Minx" doesn't have the perjorative conotations that "bint" does though. Minx just means mischievous. Bint - apparently - means the inferior second class stupid demeaned and degraded daughter of an Arab.

[Nicola_Red]

I'd have no probs with 'minx' at all. Now, and S4B this is for you in particular, how do we feel about 'slut'?

[catherine]

For me it depends who says it and how they say it. Thought i would answer anyway.

[S4B]

I have no problem with slut because it's kinda used in an affectionate way whenever anyone refers to me as such - and I am one anyway!

[foot-loose]

See to me, slut is a lot worse than b*nt.

It has surprised me a few times S4B that you dont mind calling yourself one.

[Yudster]

Slut is a no-no for me, completely - I actually feel much happier referring to S4B than I do slut4books! Interestingly enough though, and just to show my own double standards here - I have been known to affectionately refer to someone as a "silly tart" - its a minefield, honestly, a minefield!

[Nicola_Red]

But what do you take it to mean? Someone who sleeps with a lot of people?

[S4B]

But what do you take it to mean? Someone who sleeps with a lot of people?

Not always. It can be a lazy person, a flirt all sorts. I'm not lazy but I do flirt and as to sleeping with a lot of people.....depends what you mean by a lot

[Yudster]

Tart means prostitute. Slut refers to promiscuity.

[catherine]

People that like to flirt and maybe gets off with alot of men aka snog, i think wh*re is more of a person who sleeps with alot of people reference.

[S4B]

Tart is sweet though, I always think of apple lattice

[claradooblue]

Slut to me conjures up some dirty whore of the night - not nice at all. But, that said, i use words like whore and tramp quite regurly, but not slut. I think it might be the sound of it.

[S4B]

I have no problem with it - obviously - I think whore is a direct insult!

[MK Chris]

For me it depends who says it and how they say it. Thought i would answer anyway.

I think you summed it up Catherine; a lot of the time it just depends how it's said. If something is said with particular venom, but the words themselves are not particularly offensive, it can be a lot more hurtful than something that is said in jest, but includes words that are generally thought of as offensive. Having said that I never use the 'N' word, not even in jest and to a mate. I don't think I have ever in the past uttered that word.

It's interesting, I never thought of bint as an offensive term, probably because I've only ever heard it said in jest. I think, as Moyles was saying this morning about the meanings of certain terms being diluted through a lot of use, that's probably what's happened here.

[S4B]

I think you're right honey. I also think that only men could not see bint as an offensive term but I'm often wrong about such things

[claradooblue]

It's the same with words like crap. 10 years ago they wouldn't have been uttered before the watershed, now Moyles and co use them without batting an eyelid.

[MK Chris]

I imagine you're right, but I can't remember 'crap' being overly offensive.

[claradooblue]

It's a word i would still feel slightly awkward using infront of my grandmother - that usually provides some indication whether a word is / or has been offensive.

[S4B]

That's a great guidance honey - with me it's whether I'd use it in front of my Dad as he's a vicar but I can get away with more than you'd think!

[MK Chris]

Can you blaspheme?

[Yudster]

Personally, I am happier with a good Anglo-Saxon obscenity than with blasphemy any day.