From Shakespeare’s ‘country matters’ to every second word Malcolm Tucker pronounces, the word ‘cunt’ is deeply embedded in white British culture. While using it as a descriptor of female genitalia is frowned upon, it is entirely acceptable to use this word as an insult for people in a variety of circumstances.
Between friends (usually male), it is a jocular moniker. If you are describing Keane or Razorlight, no other word will do them justice. Aimed at a Tory politician, it is deadly serious, as demonstrated by Jarvis Cocker’s best song of recent times, (Cunts Are Still) Running the World.
The harsh sounds of ‘c’ and ‘t’ make it a deeply satisfying word to use, which partly explains why white Brits call someone a cunt on pretty much a daily basis. A large part of the comedy lies in the contrast created by the crudity of the word and the relatively posh accents of white Brits, much in the same way as attempting to rap makes them look both adorable and tragic. White Brits take great pride in the knowledge that the word is considered shocking by more moralising outsiders, and the more inappropriate the situation, the funnier the effect is deemed to be. It is worth noting that many white British girls suggest that its status as ‘the worst possible swearword’ belies deep misogynistic tendencies, and they therefore make a point of using it nonchalantly.
Perhaps the apotheosis of this word is its use in Withnail and I, when Withnail exclaims ‘Monty, you terrible cunt.’ This particular phrase is particularly in vogue as a term of endearment among close friends.
Dear Stuff – Which part of the middle-class spectrum do you lie on to maintain that “it is entirely acceptable to use this word”? Not the neck of the woods I inhabit where only boors would use it either as insult or jest. Perhaps you’re not as middle-class as your admirers here suppose. (How indicative is it that you haven’t the balls to put your name to this blog? The web makes an easy home for the masked cop-out and I have reciprocated in kind – why suffer the ridicule?)
I’d still argue the truth of Pinter’s observation that we should use the extreme Saxon expletives sparingly. They pack such a visceral punch that we dilute their force by casual use. And for many people today to hear those words spoken usually indicates the presence of a brute. As Pinter himself was, judiciously, politically. From his lips the C word never fell metaphorically.
Yrs etc.
Dear Mountain,
I’m afraid this entry passed my infallible test of “Do my friends like it?”. They are terrible cunts though.
Best,
‘Stuff’
P.S. What’s with the Pinter obsession?
Is your neck of the woods the United States? That’s how people react to the word cunt here
“It is worth noting that many white British girls suggest that its status as ‘the worst possible swearword’ belies deep misogynistic tendencies”
I would suggest that this is amended to white British feminists, restricting this reading to women only is just sexist
Good point!
Cunt.