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...and why? Also do you have a scale? For example, are there words that will just send you in to a rage? Where others irk you but you can handle seeing or hearing them?
For example, I have a good friend who is from the south. She grew up during the fall-out over civil rights. So she is very aware of the history of certain words and how they were used. For example, gal" makes her see red. The word "sass" or hearing a woman of color referred to as "sassy", makes her uncomfortable.
"Gal" was a term used to refer to black women exclusively, during that time. When she hears that word, she hears someone "trying to put someone in their place." It was also a way to lump people together, and deny individuality. To just say "gal" no one had to call anyone by name, or even admit someone had a name.
"Sassing" was the way black women were reprimanded by whites for again, not remembering their place. While my friend recognizes that most people using the words today aren't familiar with their history, she still makes an effort to explain it to people--particularly in cases where someone seems to need to say these things a lot. For her, it also is dependent on one's age and what era they are contemporary of.
Her grandmother always told her,"...don't ever let a anyone call you "gal." You let them know you have a name, and to address you by that, or not at all." Again, this word was considered one of disrespect and to show power over others during that time.
My friend's daughters, are young adults. They think she's insane.LOL! They tell her,"...mom, things aren't like that anymore." She reminds them it's important to know history, or we are doomed to repeating it. They roll their eyes and sigh. ;)
When I've noticed women referring to other women as "gals", it makes me cringe. Though my friend and I don't have identical history with the word, for me it still says to me someone see's someone as "less than." I've typically heard it used by women of a certain age in reference to their "domestic help" or service technician (manicurist, hair colorist, etc.) From women not of that age, I've heard it more as a term for a contemporary (as in "gal" pal or "gals night out").
Personally, I've always disliked c**t, or the "c" word. :puke:
I tried to beat up a boy in hs, for calling me that. It took two of my male friends to pull me off of that guy. I was furious. It had little to do with having a sense of history of the word at the time. I just sincerely believed it was the ultimate vulgar insult against a female, and I was going to kick his ass. :grr::mad:
From posts around the boards, I have some ideas of what various members here think of various words. But I still wanted to open the discussion, so people could share the "why's" and personal histories with particular words.
Looking forward to responses! :hi:
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