The Big Bad B Word

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Erm. I don't use it except when I'm discussing dogs (where it is a very common word, there being no other gender differentiation term in dogs). Accordingly, I've known several wonderful bitches--my beloved pointer Maggie, this gorgeous Bullmastiff named Penny who loves to slime me at the dog park, and so forth... but you don't want to hear about that.

And I dunno, I've never used b***h as my ultimate insult (those tend to deal with maturity), and while I've been called one I usually shrug and keep going. I take so long to forge emotional bonds to the point that I am really hurt if someone calls me a name (especially one so devoid of thought as b***h) that I've usually drifted off from the sort of person that would do that long before it becomes an issue.

And extending calendale's/Touretter's discussion, why is being called a b***h so much worse than calling a guy a dog? Why is the one word considered a swear while the other is just a name?

Men define the terms.
It's up to women to redefine them.
b***h is bad because it refers to women.
Dog is OK/good because it refers to men.

I equate men calling women "b***h" or "girl" with whites calling blacks "n****r" or "boy". That is how offensive it is to me. I think the same issues apply to those words in that people are trying to redefine them and/or not use them entirely. Women may not number less than men in our society, but we are a minority because of the way we are treated.

It depends on who it's coming from. From a white male politician, it's a compliment (though not meant that way): it means 'powerful woman.'

From another woman, it usually means 'you have something/you are taking something that you do not deserve.'

From a regular man on the street, it means, 'you are being overly sensitive.'

Sometimes it also means, 'you should bow down to me as your master, and lick my shoes because I'm so much better than you.'

Based on the first definition, there's a very good feminist magazine called b***h.

I always think that the term is used by those who feel threatened, out-maneuvered, or one-upped by a female.

The word has lost its shock value with me. It has become more of a status symbol. still, its fun to say sometimes. I remember someone called myself and my catering partner a couple of lazy b*****s. The b***h part didnt bother me, the LAZY thing did. It used to bother me when i heard rappers refer to women as 'b*****s'. Then i realized that they didnt refer to all women like that, just the ones they can wear out and toss out. I guess it is a slight distinction.

I thought a "b***h" was a woman who is nice to your face but then says bad things about you to other people; also someone who continually undermines you in front of other people or someone who is a boyfriend or husband-stealer.

That word does nothing to me. I often think insults are funny even when aimed at me. Just remember that when someone stoops to name calling it says more about them than you and also means that they ran out of cards to play to win whatever argument you're having, its like folding in a card game. Consider it a win and then roll your eyes and laugh at their poor childish tactics. Keep in mind that when someone calls you a name they are expecting a hysterical reaction or to escalate the issue, don't give them what they want. If its someone you deal with regularly they will eventually quit cause they're not getting the results they want. They may temporarily up the anti with worse insults but if you continue to ignore their attempts they eventually run out of insults and without a reaction, words lose their meaning.