Which dirty word is the queen mother of them all? The "N" word, The "C" Word or the "F" Word?

[fraroc]

What do you think is the worst out of all of them? I know that the N word became a double standard, You should NEVER call a girl the C word even if you hate her. And fuck is more mainstream and is used widely around the world (I am no exception). Which one really is the queen mother of dirty, nasty, vulgar words?

[Mistermook]

What does the Queen's mother have to do with this? Are we looking for a word that's a bit antique, possibly dusty, but spawns royalty?

[SuicidiaParasidia]

depends on how theyve effected you, personally.

ive never been called "nigger". my father used to call black people who committed crime niggers. it upset me when i heard him call them that, but i wasnt entirely sure why. i dont personally believe in right or wrong, which is why i said that.
i imagine it is likely to be much more significant for a black person to hear.

"cunt" is a word ive heard tossed around by my fellow females. an uglier word than "bitch" but with roughly the same level of malice applied. i think "cunt" is used when "bitch" seems to have lost its punch against the person in question. ive noticed men use it much more often to describe females theyre at odds with, whereas females tend to call each other "bitch" much more often. though now that i think about it, men use "little bitch" to demean other males and seem to react to it much more than being called an asshole or bastard.

i think "faggot" is a worse "f-word" than "fuck". "fuck" is even used in porno films, so it cant be THAT bothersome. its also commonly used to imply shock, physical pain, and physical pleasure.

as for "faggot"...ive mostly heard it playfully tossed back and forth among gaming friends, or homosexuals who dont seem particularly hurt about it. granted i think women use that word MUCH less than men do, so thats pretty much the extent of my experience with it.


as for which is the worst.... i think "nigger" is. its been around for longer, it has more baggage, and while there are a few exceptions, very few people are terribly comfortable with hearing or saying it compared to the other two. "cunt" or "faggot" might be thrown around during a fight, but "nigger" typically starts fights.

and has anybody else noticed that all three are used to describe minorities? black people, gay people, and women. or sex, for "fuck", which i think paints a picture about how sexually repressed we are. hmmmmm.

[SimsLover50]

I vote for N as having the worst negative impact mostly because it is also racist for anyone but an african american to say. The others are bad too but hold no racist connotations.

I personally dislike C word more though than the n word, because to me it is very disparaging an rude sounding and I never hear it used much.

I did hear some crazy white guy muttering racial etiphets out the window of his porche and he screeched 'mexican c***' at no one in particular as I drove down the street thursday. I was shocked, as I rarely see anyone act so stupidly or rudely, especailly without provocation. Maybe he was screeching at someone on his phone- but I was annoyed and disgusted at this man and wondered if he was screeching at me.

[kiwi_tea]

I don't think this is a debate, but growing up in New Zealand "fuck" was definitely the winner. "Nigger" wasn't used here, so it has much less an impact than in the United States, similar I suppose of "Kaffir" (a racial slur in South Africa) if it was used in the US. I think "fuck" has the most widespread impact globally, but that impact is lessening as more people say it freely - which is fine. I get a knot in my stomach when my brothers call people they dislike "faggot" with a real venomous tone - but this is the thing, right? This is highly subjective, and very locally variant.

I think this thread would do better in discussion than "debate".

[Julieryc]

I actually think that fuck (and all its permutations, such as motherfucker, which is probably the "worst" as terms containing "fuck" go) is the least offensive of the three, at least in the US. As SuicidiaParadisia pointed out, nigger and cunt are both terms used exclusively against minorities and women. (I once read a book on the linguistics of swearing called "Expletive Deleted: A Good Look at Bad Language" that's really in-depth about the history of swearing, how words come to be considered bad, and it brought up the point that the worst words are ones that can only be applied to a specific group of people, and don't have as vulgar an equivalent for the person who's doing the swearing.) For example, if a white man calls me a cunt, I can't call him anything back that has similar force (a "dick" or even a "pussy" doesn't have the same force of language - and notice that the references to female body parts tend to be considered worse than male?) And if a white person calls a black person a nigger, there's no similar word a black person can apply that has the same effect - again, the closest equivalents would probably be something like "cracker" or "honky," neither of which are wont to make people gasp.

Considering the historical context that the N-word has in the US, it's probably the "worst" of the three words here, but I'm not sure about other English-speaking countries. OTOH, some members of the African-American community have made efforts to take back the N-word (just as the LGBT community has worked to take back the words "queer" and even "fag" so that they can be used by members of that group), while I've never heard of feminists attempt to retake the C-word. (Heck, I remember in high school how people got sent home/suspended for wearing "V-day" and "The Vagina Monologues" T-shirts to school, because the school felt that the word "vagina" was distracting and offensive.)

And now this thread is in debate! Hooray, mods!

[paksetti]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nigger

I've only heard the word Nigger used a handful of times with with it's "original" meaning. I most often hear it used to mean "a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc.". Even then, I only really hear it used between friends or at anonymous objects that couldn't get offended anyway. Usually, people will say "nigga" instead of "nigger" if they're just referring to their friends.

My favorite use of the word is by Dopelives (http://www.youtube.com/user/Dopelives). Of course he doesn't mean that video games are black people, and he would dislike them because of their race if they were, it's just a curse word. It sounds funny when he calls this guy (http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2010/09/amnesia-the-dark-descent-review/amnesia-dd-3.jpg) a "ShitNigger", and it gets his point across. (I mean look at him! In context that dude is pretty frightening.)

I think that I was late to the party when it comes to "cunt"; people will say a myriad of other curse words in different combinations and with different meanings, but they step on the breaks for "cunt". I really don't get it. It's just a word.Cunt. Say it. Cuntcunt. Essentially, that's my best friend's name, she's my cunt just as she would be my bitch if that word wasn't so overused.

Everyone uses fuck. It's all purpose. People who get offended by any sort of curse word will probably still get offended by fuck, but people okay with the big seven will probably be fine with fuck.

[HystericalParoxysm]

Honestly, I think -any- word is dirty when it's pointed -at- someone, with the intent to cause emotional harm. Whether you call someone a cunt or a shithead or fuckwad or whatever, it's still (in my mind) basically equally rude and insulting. Racial insults may rank a little bit higher in my mind as it's not only insulting but de-humanizing.

Swearing that is -not- at someone - that is, "This cake is fucking awesome!" doesn't bother me in the slightest as long as it's not every other word. I don't think it's dirty or rude - I may not say it in front of, say, a government worker helping me with my paperwork, or in my kid's preschool classroom, or to someone's grandmother as I know those are situations where it may offend others, but I am not even slightly offended by such language myself as long as it's not directed at a person. It's the insult that counts, not the sounds.

[el_flel]

As HP said, if you call someone a "fucking c***" you are using words to deliberately insult them. However if you hurt yourself and shout out "fucking c***" then it's less harmful as the words aren't directed at a particular person nor are they being used to purposely insult someone.

I loathe the C-word. I think it's vile and will not use it. In terms of swearing it is undoubtedly the most offensive word you can use. On TV here we have the watershed which means that mature content won't be shown on TV until after 9pm. The C-word, however, isn't allowed to be played until later (10pm I think).

The N-word is in a different category to swearing as it is a racial slur, but because of the history behind it I think it is the most offensive word out of the three.

[HystericalParoxysm]

PG - Some people are always offended by swearing, because they believe certain words are inherently offensive no matter the context. This is a personal thing - I am not one of those people, so I honestly cannot speak for those people as I really don't understand it. I think -any- word said too much tends to lose its impact, so I would be as annoyed with someone calling everything "awesome" as I would with them calling everything "fucking awesome" - the swearing doesn't matter, IMO.

Call anyone a cunt, and it's usually offensive. It's not a nice thing to call someone, unless you are friends with them and you know that they're not going to be bothered by it and will understand you are joking. Pretty much as el_flel said - if it's at someone, it's insulting and hurtful, but if it's just an exclamation, it's not a big deal. But other people might think it's a big deal just because you used those words and would be WAY offended if you yelped, "Fucking cunt!" because you stubbed your toe really hard, while they wouldn't be bothered at all if you said, "Oh shoot!" Again, I am not one of those people - if you're not using swear words -at someone- then I do not find it offensive in the slightest. I would be equally as offended if someone called me a cunt as if they called me a stinky butthead - it's the insult, not the words.

Calling someone a nigger, even in jest, unless you know them and (usually) are black yourself/they are black themselves is almost always offensive because of the racial implications of the word. I suggest you look up the history of slavery and post-slavery race relations in the US to understand the context of why a word that has been used so offensively toward a race would be deeply offensive when directed at someone. To the point where me, as a white chick from the US, is rather uncomfortable typing it out.

[Oaktree]

I think the n-word is the most generally offensive of the three, but I personally find the c-word very distasteful. It's an ugly-sounding word. I'm not especially fond of any of the colloquial terms for women's body parts. All of them sound rather vulgar. The terms for men's genitalia do, too, but I guess I've been somewhat desensitized to them from hearing them more often.

The f-word has lost most of it's punch, I think. My grandmother still has fits when she hears it (and my dad really likes messing with her :P) but I think most people hear it so often that it has little effect. I remember seeing the movie Formula 51 and they seemingly said the f-work about once per sentence, on average. I barely even heard the word by the end of the movie and it wasn't even shocking to begin with. Wandering off topic a bit, I think cursing is most effective when it is done very seldom and thrown in to punctuate a strong sentiment. It is also funniest that way. On the other hand, my dad often achieves humor through either being very creative in his cursing or through throwing one or two innocuous words into the storm of cursing.

Anyway, I'm probably also a little desensitized to the n-word, come to think of it. I had many black classmates in public school and they would often use the word. I never used it, but I have heard them use it a lot. So that might be part of why I'm less offended by the n-word than the c-word.

[Shoosh Malooka]

I think "pussy" is the worst one by how much ground it covers by it's many uses. That word used alone can apply to both men and women, and can mean different injury by how it's used.

[whitewaterwood]

I think it's different for every different person. It's like asking what is the most complimentary word you can use. It's all based on opinion and context.

[simbalena]

It appears that of the three words cunt is the worst because it seems to be the one that people are least willing to put in writing!

Wait, the c word is cunt and not cock right?

[christx101]

All of them are bad kinda hard choosing which one is worst different strokes for different folks.

[Julieryc]

It appears that of the three words cunt is the worst because it seems to be the one that people are least willing to put in writing!

Wait, the c word is cunt and not cock right?

Actually, I feel more uncomfortable writing the n-word than the c-word (maybe because I'm female?) But the c-word is indeed "cunt." Maybe it's because I've been reading too much Game of Thrones lately, but "cock" doesn't rank anywhere near the top of "list of swearwords that I consider really bad" - it just sounds kind of archaic on its own, and the only time I've heard it used aloud as swearing is in a compound word like "cocksucker." Random thought - does the word "cocky" derive from this?

[daluved1]

I'm going to have to vote "fuck" as it's pretty much a universal bad boy. In the US, the word "cunt" isn't as bad as it is in other countries, so I personally don't find anything wrong with it. I also don't like the word "pussy", it just sounds so vulgar.

The "N" word isn't bad, IMO, but it isn't good. I know double standards are bad, but it's really one of those words that carry one. I personally use the N word - in it's less brash form "nigga" - all the time because it's just....part of the lingo, I guess. But I also am black, so it's "okay". However, I'll call anyone by that name; Black, White, Asian, Hispanic. It's a term of endearment in most cases. I just feel, like HP said, as long as the word isn't said to be mean or spiteful, then it shouldn't matter who uses it.

[whiterider]

I know this is a little off-topic, but I'm not convinced that it makes much sense to focus on such "dirty" words as being particularly offensive or insulting. If someone wants to offend, insult or upset me, they'd be better off not bothering with swearwords at all. There are plenty of other things that a person could say to me which I would find much more insulting than any variation on cunt, or anything else - it's kind of like asking which is the most serious global ecological problem; snails, sharp pebbles on the beach, or the smell from public toilets.

[Ledgo]

Situation dependent.

I think the word nigger has pretty much lost it's background. In no way do I think it's as bad as it use to be since it's being thrown around with little thought these days. People don't understand what it's true meaning was and it's a completely different word.

Cunt was never really that bad, to be honest.

I, personally, fucking love the fucking word fuck. That being my point-It's situationally dependent and none of the words really carry their original meaning anymore. I can use fuck to describe hate, love, the act, ect. ect.

[MizzesSimmer]

I swear like a drunken sailor. No words defined as "swear words" really bother me.

Though calling someone a "nigger" with the point of being hateful and racist is wrong. That goes with any of those derogatory words insulting someones culture (chink, wagon burner, etc.)

Calling me, or someone, "stupid" or its varieties, and I go hulk. THAT is a dirty word to me.

[wickedblue]

Cunt, wielded ironically, or in an attempt to reclaim the word is awesome. I personally like the word cunt, but don't direct it at me to insult me or we're going to have a problem.
Nigger is a horrible word and I do not agree that it's lost its meaning. It is a slur used to dehumanize a human being and nothing will ever strip that of its power. Again, there's an exception made when it's used in an attempt to reclaim the slur. I still don't like it, but being white-privileged as I am, it's not up to me to tell them when and how they should or should not use that word. Kind of like how I don't like people telling me I can't use the word cunt since I am an owner of a cunt and I only use the word around people that know me and know what my intent is.
Fuck is just a fucking word. There's plenty of other words that are much more offensive than the word fuck is but like with anything else, there's a time. I wouldn't use it in my grandmother's presence because respect but I'll use it with my friends and on the internet like nobody's fucking business.

[Dreamydre]

I know this is a little off-topic, but I'm not convinced that it makes much sense to focus on such "dirty" words as being particularly offensive or insulting. If someone wants to offend, insult or upset me, they'd be better off not bothering with swearwords at all. There are plenty of other things that a person could say to me which I would find much more insulting than any variation on cunt, or anything else - it's kind of like asking which is the most serious global ecological problem; snails, sharp pebbles on the beach, or the smell from public toilets.

I think whiterider hit the nail on this one. If someone ever called me any disgusting word to offend me, I would quite honestly feel bad for them because I know they're just going out of their way to offend me. Offending someone comes off better when you find something personal about that person and use it to sting them... then again I shouldn't be giving out lessons on how to offend anyone. Don't try this at home kids :lol:

[SuicidiaParasidia]

How To Determine What Word Is Most Offensive:

http://www.noswearing.com/dictionary

Read through this entire dictionary, and if you see a word that offends you when used in a particular context, then mark it and go to the next one.

English speakers use curse words based on race, physical fitness, ethnicity, religion, sex, body parts, and sexual orientation. For example, if Person A has some sort of prejudice against Person B because Person B is of a different race, is fat, is Scottish, is Catholic, is female, and is lesbian, then there is a chance that Person B will be a target of some very harsh language, unless Person B is born in a tolerant and loving society, where all curse words are condemned.

actually, i would think that a tolerant and loving society wouldnt condemn at all. merely see no need to use curse words. the words are not the problem, anyway. its the sentiments behind them and the people who devise them as a way to hurt others.... however, others have this magical thing called free will, and they dont have to play that game. invalidate the source, and you end up invalidating the message, and thus remove the 'bite' from the bark.

/twocents

[DrowningFishy]

I would think that the cunt would be the dirtest of words still just for the sole reason there is no freindly way to call someone a cunt that would be seen as acceptable.

I often hear nigger used in a conversation when two people of darker skin greet each other. This does not always have to be African of decent, I seen darker asians (aka my cambodian co-worker) doing this along with themselves. Though some people get defensive by the use of this term unresonably. Imagine my fun when I came to California and I blurted out in the store "I am hungry for Nigger toes wonder if they have any."But you know, I wasn't using it to be racist it's just what they always where called. I am from Wisconsin everyone else called em that, shoot how was I supposed to know. Point is, not as bad, but still careful on where you use it. And if your not dark skinned I would avoid using it to avoid misunderstandings.

And for the F word, well my dad showed this YEARS ago the F word (http://youtu.be/CCcCzj_yRtk)

When it comes down to it, it really depends on where you come from and how you use the word. If you have enough hate and/or displeasure behind your voice you can probably make any word dirty. Hell, cuss words didn't always start out as cuss words. Furthormore any cuss word used nicely can be used without offense. So long as you don't live in a close minded area that would get so horrified at the simple of mention of it that they wouldn't pay attention to the tone of your voice.

[Peace]

NO ONE SHOULD YUSE THE "N" WORD...... EVER.

Its a horrible word and should NEVER be used.

[Lawli-Lawli]

C-U-NT


THE most disgusting word I have ever heard.

Nigger/ah/a/uh and cracker/a/ah,uh and any other racial slurs are funny to me because of how ignorant they are-can't bother me.
But cunt just seems so....ugh...to fix your mouth to class someone that is flat out distasteful.

[CinderEmma]

Retard is the word that's worse for me. Stupid, idiot, and words like that hurt me too, but retard REALLY hurts. I'm special needs, was never supposed to speak, and I hate that word. And I don't use the word hate easily. There's no good meaning behind it. You're insulting a minority that mainly can't defend themselves, which I find worse then others.
But I personally have never heard the c-word or even the n-word used, the f-word a few times but people know not to swear around me. I'm alright with it in text, but to hear the actual words just twists at me and makes me uncomfortable.
The other f-word is offensive because my sister is a lesbian, and I support her rights to live her life the way she wants to. I find it demeaning in both insulting and causal context.
I have to say, I love British swearing (milder stuff like bint and bloody hell anyway), it just seems less...crude. I don't know why :P

And really, I was looking at that swear dictionary link, but I'm not convinced that anus is a swear word. Isn't it a medical term to describe that "area", not a curse. Seriously, if you're going to be crude, who would say anus instead of a**?

[HarVee]

Though F is used most often, I'll go with N; as N seems to have the most negative impact when used. F, is usually used out of frustration, not out of hatred like N is.

[BlakeS5678]

N**ger: Racist

C**t : Sexist

F***ot: Homophobic.

Re**rd: Demeaning to the Disabled.

F**k: "Poo-Poo" :D

Agreed?

[Will Galen]

I disagree with everyone.

I think the most offensive word is the one that has upset everyone at sometime. Being upset by it has never stopped people from saying it themselves though.
I'm speaking of the 'N' word of course. Nobody likes to hear it, teenagers and children especially hate hearing the word 'No.'

[5M0K3]

In Texas, "nigger" is just about the most commonly uttered thing during the day. By blacks and Mexicans. However, if a white or Asian (which I happen to be both, which automatically makes me an uber racist) so much as whispers it to herself, she is immediately called a "racist bitch" and gets her ass kicked.

While I've never personally been called a cunt, I had friends that have been on dates with some jerk who called them a cunt, however it doesn't spark much drama.

Fuck is hardly a dirty word anymore.

[Yalayna87]

I personally can't stand the "N" word or a woman being called the "C" word, I do say the "F" word but try not to, my grandmother would whip my ass if she knew I was saying any of them though.

[DrowningFishy]

Apperently I got the wrong f word, hahah for late at night posting.

Me: FAGGOT!
Gay guy: I am not a bundle of sticks; nerves maybe.
Me: FAIRY!
Gay guy: Wish I had wings and magic dust.
Me: FRUIT!
Gay guy: I am sweet and colorful but I don't grow on trees.
Me: QUEER
Gay guy: But not as weird as you.
Me: Arse Bandit
Gay guy: Is not lie.
Me: Fucker
Gay Guy: Love you too. <3

In a nut shell all gay people I know anti-gay terms don't work for them. Though if I used the c word against a lesbian I am pretty ceritan I'd get a negitive response. Though in the end I think it depends how you throw around words that make all the differance. Anything you say when your trying to be mean can be harsh no matter how innocent those words are. The vise versa works to, people hearing those words sometimes over react without thinking the sitation over. So next time you speak cuss words, or hear cuss words stop and think what the intentions are. Save yourself from being and maybe feeling like an ass later.

[Miko09]

DrowningFishy I actually think it matters who you are directing the slurs at. Obviously all the gay individuals you know wouldn't be phased too much because they know you well enough to know you are not saying it maliciously. If you shouted "faggot" or any slur to a gay person you did not personally know, you would obviously get a different reaction.

On a different note, I have to say that I love the word cunt. I don't know why women don't use it more often. Chicks get all the funny sounding curse words :(
All guys have is douchebag(lame) and asshole(lamer). Especially since some guys actually like to be referred to as such.

[VerDeTerre]

On a different note, I have to say that I love the word cunt. I don't know why women don't use it more often. Chicks get all the funny sounding curse words :(
All guys have is douchebag(lame) and asshole(lamer). Especially since some guys actually like to be referred to as such.

Ummm...I find all three of those words offensive, but possibly a****** less when applied to a person who just is one (male or female). I'm not a fan of the following word, but as a male who craves such a thing, maybe it will work for you: d***wad.

[ElementMK]

NO ONE SHOULD YUSE THE "N" WORD...... EVER.

Its a horrible word and should NEVER be used.Words only have as much value as a person is willing to give them. I've seen the word "nigga" be used quite casually by people of every ethnicity while I lived in a larger Washington city. At first it confused me, but to these people the original connotations were absent, and the word was meaningless. The same can be seen with the word "fag" on places like 4chan, or the word "bitch" in day to day life. Hell, calling people "my bitches" is now used as a non-gender specific address of affection. People are weird.

[5M0K3]

Everything really depends on who you're saying it to. Regardless of the fact that he is white, my dad and his friends say "Wassup nigga?!" when they see each other, however, if he was to yell at a random black person, "Nigger!" then it would offensive. When I talk to my friends, we sometimes call each other "cunt" but if I was to go up to her, spit on her shoe, and yell "You fucking cunt!" that would be quite another thing. As for "fuck"...? Younger and younger kids are saying "fuck", frankly I don't know anyone who doesn't say it. But, just like every other word, "fuck" can have two different meaning. For example, "Hey motherfucker!" and "You stupid motherfucker!" are two totally different things. It all is a matter of context.

[J_Bliler]

As a kid, if I had used a dirty word, my Dad or Mom would take a belt to my butt, and rightfully so. It is so easy for the ppl to call others bad names any more. I hear very young ones talking this way all the time, and it really sickens me that ANY adult would allow this. If you MUST say something bad, try to use other words that mean the same. Such as rather than say F*** You, say get sexually intercoursed in the ear or something else...........PPL love to hurt others, not help.

John

[minimogut]

Definitely the "N" word. It's just sick, and I heard my little bro's friend tell a joke involving the "N" word without actually knowing what it meant, and his mother just told him "Okay, that stops here. Don't tell anyone else that joke." He told her his uncle told him that, and his mum wasn't too happy about that. I'm glad that some adults will tell teach their children what's good to say and what's not.

[Cheesie]

Humm. It's a tie between the N-word and the C-word. Their both specifically used to insult people. The F-word is used for that too, but it can also be used to express pain and/or excitement. Plus, it's just used so much.

I remember when I was a little, everyone would gasp, point fingers, and go "oooohhhhhh" if someone said shut up. Nowadays, kids that age are much much much much naughtier. It makes you wonder what the world has come to...

[Drakesecaravdis]

fuck isn't bad at all. it's still not appropriate to say in front of a child but I've never considered it bad because it's traditionally thought of as the action for sex and sex in usual circumstances isn't wrong (can even be beautiful with the right person)
I hate the c word. it sounds so gross and my pet peeve is offensive slang. I know some people use it in jest in fact the gay youtuber I watch uses it sometimes but that doesn't change the fact that it gives me chills
fag is the worst, not only because I hate offensive slang but almost every time someone has used it is when they are being insulting to gay people and that just makes my blood boil. I try to be a smart ass about it tho to lighten things up...now if only I could figure out a smart ass response to the full version of it
as for the n word, I would agree that it is offensive but I don't see it used much anymore (only by black people in rap music) so I can't say it bothers me. I mean how can I be bothered by something I almost never encounter? I will just say that if anyone ever does use it, they must have some balls (and not in the good way)

[morphius1]

I use all of the above words, except fot two: nigger and cunt. These two words (in my opinion) are the worst.

[StardustX]

My husband and I call each other "nigga" or "nigger" all the time. Not in a racial way, obviously (neither of us are black), but when we're being "mean" to each other. Neither of us are racist. I'm not okay with using the word as a racial slur. I grew up in a small town in West Virginia and almost everyone who wasn't black used that word as a racial slur, which is probably why I'm used to the word and have no problem saying it. But I definitely don't think it's okay.

"Cunt" is definitely the worst in my opinion. I hate that word so much. It has nothing to do with me being female, apparently females find it offensive? I don't, but it just sounds like such a dirty word. "Pussy" isn't much better but I can deal with it.
"Fuck"...
I have nothing to say about that.
I use that word a lot, mostly out of habit. fuckfuck. When I'm happy, sad, content. It's a bit disgusting tbph. fuckfuckfuck. But most of the time I don't realize I'm saying it.

[KKiryu007Joker]

"Cunt", and "pussy". I don't use curse words that much, though I sometimes use them a lot, but I have never once even tried using those two words. "Nigga" is used in a friendly sense in these days, and everybody has probably said "damn", or "fuck" at some point.

[Carolyns-Mewmix]

For me, racial slurs really depend on the context. I grew up (and still live) in an area where I have seen almost no racism. The high school I went to had no fights ever. A lot of times my classmates and I would shout "hey cracka, whatya doin?" or "hey beaner, get over here!" or "what's up, mah nigga?" across the room, even when a teacher was present, because there was no malicious intent behind it. I do similar things with my close friends - I often (even affectionately) call my boyfriend "my beaner", I greet my asian friend from NY with "hey chink" and she replies "'sup cracka?"
However, I would never, ever shout those words at someone with malicious intent. Like a lot of previous posters have said, even "innocent" words become harmful when used with malicious intent.
"Fuck", "shit", and "damn" have no effect on me. I like to think of it the way my digital photography teacher put it: "Swearing is like salsa on your food. In moderation, it adds flavor. But too much is just nasty."
"Bitch", "cunt", and "pussy" are like the racial slurs, to me. My friends and I will throw them around affectionately ("Oh Hailey, you one sexy bitch!"), but I would never say it to a stranger.
"Fag/faggot" has to be the biggest gray area for me. I lurk 4chan daily, so I'm used to calling someone of a group a "____fag" (I, for instance, am a Califag). But I don't like using it by itself. I only use "faggot" VERY SPARSELY to describe someone's who's overly proud/obnoxious about something. In my head, I don't associate "faggot" with gay people, but with the obnoxious types (of any sexual orientation, gender, etchnicity, body type, etc) who go "GUISE LOOK AT ME I'M _____ AND I'M PROUD, ALL ____S ARE AWESOME LOOK AT ME I'M A ____".

[paksetti]

Don't even know how "cracker" is even remotely offensive. Maybe "white devil"... I guess. It's all context. When I was a kid, I was offended by some of the things people said about my skin color, but the offensive word was "translucent", and that's hardly offensive in any other context.

"curse words" are weird. They're best used among groups of friends. It's probably because I'm not very eloquent but it's hard to put exactly into words why it's alright for friends to call each other fuckwads, but it's just ridiculous and unpleasant for you to call some random guy on the street one.

Oh, and in an earlier post, I brought up- "-er and -a". Eh. Now that I think of it, it doesn't really matter. If you're not comfortable saying "nigger", you probably shouldn't attempt to say "nigga". You'd probably sound ridiculous anyway.

[simbalena]

I would think that the cunt would be the dirtest of words still just for the sole reason there is no freindly way to call someone a cunt that would be seen as acceptable.


You haven't been to Australia have you? Friends call each other cunts all the time!

On a different note, I have to say that I love the word cunt. I don't know why women don't use it more often. Chicks get all the funny sounding curse words :(

Is cunt only used towards women in America? If so then it is completely sexist and wrong, but where I live it's more often used towards men or is completely neutral and generic swear word that isn't directed towards anyone (and there is no different meaning if it is directed at a man vs a woman). Anyone can be a dickhead and anyone can be a cunt!

[LadyAngua]

The "C" word for sure. You just try telling me to go "Clean" something and see what me reaction is!

[DrowningFishy]

Cunt is a very bad word here simbalena, the only other word worse to say to a woman sounds similar to dike (but has nothing to do with a levee). If you say cunt here you better hope they're your friend or they know your Austrailian.

@LadyAngua good one.

[Weisskreuz]

What is the historical significance behind "cunt" that makes it the worse that nigger? Wut?
Why is this even a discussion question?

[opiumgirl]

I love British swears:
he's a right cunt now isn't he,
bollocks, tit etc
I find all of them cute
The worse swear word in my dictionary is not in English:
It is: kaffir, every time I hear it I cringe. It makes me physically uncomfortable to hear that word.
As for most other swear words, bring it on.

[harmonee_el]

The N word is the worst!You might get away with calling me those other words,but if you call me the N word...It's On.I don't call anyone names,and I deserve the same respect back.

[Yazoo]

Hmm, I would say it is the "C" and the "N" word, but aren't we forgetting a "T" word in this? Surely, the "T" word is more than likely a cousin to the "C" word, but still.

[SuicidiaParasidia]

Hmm, I would say it is the "C" and the "N" word, but aren't we forgetting a "T" word in this? Surely, the "T" word is more than likely a cousin to the "C" word, but still.

...
there's a "T word"?
....
when did this happen? why was i not notified? and most of all, what is the "T word"?

[KKiryu007Joker]

Hey "tits" how's it goin'?!

[SuicidiaParasidia]

....no but really, what is it?

tuberculosis?
taco bell?
t-rex?
t******* *** **** ******** **?

[KKiryu007Joker]

tard - mentally challenged

testicle - male genitalia

taco - Mexican food

tablet

table

James Tiberius Kirk

Trex

thundercunt - idiot

tit - breast

titfuck - sexual act

tits - breasts

tittyfuck - sexual act

twat - female genitals

twatlips - idiot

twats - vaginas

twatwaffle - homosexual

[Yazoo]

It was Twat. >.< Which does mean women's private parts...I am sorry I should have said the word.

[DrowningFishy]

I think twat, cunt, dyke-so forth are worse because womans tempers have a tendicy to flare. Woman are scary thngs, just ask any males. Why do you think there's only one acceptable word that's safe to call a lesbian when refering to her sexual preferance. Sure you can call her gay but I know several lesbians that would set you straight. Yet when it comes to a guy well the list goes on. Agian my point is woman let you get away with less.

PS: Why do a lot of racist terms deal with food or food related.

[Zexxa]

I would personally say N. I grew up in the south, and I heard it alot from alot of ignorant people. Even my dad and husband used to say it alot, then both began working with black people and they stopped for the most part. Now if I hear the word, I call them on it. My husband and father agree that N can refer to someone of any race. They use it as a derogatory term that insults a person's character rather than the color of their skin. I'm not sure that makes them better, but I'm glad that they are learning.

All the other words are not so bad. I wouldn't use them unless necessary(measure of a lady) but I don't mind if you use them if it makes you feel more validated. :)

I thinking about actually going to go play now. :)

[SuicidiaParasidia]

I think twat, cunt, dyke-so forth are worse because womans tempers have a tendicy to flare. Woman are scary thngs, just ask any males. Why do you think there's only one acceptable word that's safe to call a lesbian when refering to her sexual preferance. Sure you can call her gay but I know several lesbians that would set you straight. Yet when it comes to a guy well the list goes on. Agian my point is woman let you get away with less.

PS: Why do a lot of racist terms deal with food or food related.

addressing the bold parts in order...

woah, super-sexism out of left field much? i know PLENTY of cool-headed women. what your temper is like has nothing to do with whats between your legs. i cant even believe someone wrote that.
(and its just slightly misogynistic to say that because men say it, it must be true about women.)

...what, you mean "lesbian"? why is that a bad thing, again? i dont even think we should call them lesbians. i think we should call them by their names. imagine what your life would be like if someone took one aspect of your entire being and just called you by just that whenever they were referencing you. its pretty dehumanizing.

aside from gay (which some women do identify with, and "homosexual" applies to ALL...homosexuals!), the other terms i know for male homosexuals are not "acceptable" to call them. theyre derogatory. they should not be the first thing out of your face when referring to someone of a differing sexual preference. if anything, you might want to consider that itd be better if there were less of them for all, rather than worry about how the other gender doesnt have as much to be insulted by.

aaaand here we have a whole other issue that could be a whole other topic...so i'll just leave it at this: women have let men "get away with" so much shit for so long, is it really such a bad thing to want to not have to do that forever?



and back OT: i never considered "twat" to be an insult, really. or cunt. someone calls me a twat or a cunt, i give them a gold star and praise for having finally figured out whats between my legs. it must be a major achievement for them to realize it and make this knowledge the forefront of their "attacks".

[live2draw]

just on principle, I think the "n" word is probably the worst, because its not only offensive, it's racist as well.

All cuss words are bad, and i think its disturbing that our generation seems to think its okay to use them in our everyday conversation. What's the point of using them? to sound like an ignorant fool? It's a stupid, ridiculous trend and I hope it stops. People have to learn that you can express yourself, and bring your point across strongly without resorting to using offensive, demeaning words!

[jmiles007]

I would say that the "n" word in my opinion is probably the worst, because like many others have just said....It's a direct and racist insult towards another human being because of their skin color. I think that it is a completely wrong to call someone a "nigger".

The word "fuck" isn't really an insult but more of a verb I guess. It's not describing someone. I don't really have a major problem with it unless It is used excessively. It also can depend on the way you use it. Another way it can be used is, "f***ing someone.

To be honest, all swear words or insults are bad and are generally used in insulting ways that offend others.