Serious question about U.K./North American differences...

[HEyHEY]

Why is the word "cunt" so terrible in North America and not so bad in the U.K.

I never use it because it offends me and I'm not a woman and am not easily offended... is it because it's such a crass sounding word?

[Swede]

1. It's puritanism, pure and simple.

My Irish cousin uses it in every other sentence,just another curse word. "Ya,dumb fooking coont."

[HEyHEY]

2. That's the thing

Anyone from teh UK I know uses it like the letter "E"

But we run and hide

[DawgHouse]

3. Don't know about that

but I know that when my friend from the UK is really upset with a woman, she calls the woman an "old cow". And the way she positively spits the words out, I can tell she's really mad.

So, why is calling someone an old cow considered such a horrible insult? I mean, cows are kind of cute if you ask me.

[HEyHEY]

4. It's funny you should say that

Where I'm from "Old Cow" Is a big insult... maybe the brit influence on Canuckistan?

Anyway, today I was driving up the hill here and the calfs were on the road for the first time this year.. calfs really are cute.. I always make sure I slow down when I pass them.

Even though I probably ate the calf I slowed down for three years ago 20 mintues ago.

... Burp

[tjwmason]

5. There are several cases where we Brits keep the end up

so far as bad language is concerned.

In the great pantheon of profanity cunt doesn't seem to rank too highly over here. It is possible that the greater feminism in America has made it somewhat more taboo.

[billyskank]

6. I disagree

I think "cunt" is a stronger word than "fuck," even here. How often do you hear "cunt" spoken on telly? Rarely, if ever. But "fuck" is frequently used on TV.

[tjwmason]

7. I think it's more non-use than gravity

It's just term which has not caught on dramatically over here. That does not mean that it's more serious.

[China_cat]

8. It's really harder for Americans

visiting Holland where the word just means 'rear end'.

[Omphaloskepsis]

9. If I use the word cunt around my sister or mom they will hit me.

It is the one word that sets both of them off. I don't know why. So don't say that word around ladies with the last name Powell in Eugene, OR. They can (and will) hit hard. Bitch and slut are fine with them..