Saturday 23 March 2013

Derogatory?

Someone left me a comment criticizing my choice in pseudonym; saying it was a very derogatory term. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the comment but it did make me wonder if others thought that way too.

I personally don’t think bitch is a derogatory term. I understand the dictionary doesn’t agree with me but the English language is always evolving and it takes time for the dictionary to catch up with reality.  There are new words added and definitions changed every year. Take “tweet” for example up until the end of 2011 according to the dictionary it was the chirp of a small bird; not a 140 characters of TMI.

I think bitch is kind of like that too, the dictionary has it as one thing but when you look at how it’s used in the real world it means something completely different. It’s not spiteful, lewd, difficult and overbearing women that are called bitches. It’s strong, independent women, who stand up for what they believe in and don’t back down that are called it.

I did a quick Google search to see what famous women have been branded as bitches, the list includes Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, BeyoncĂ©, Julia Roberts, Judy Sheindlin (aka Judge Judy), Martha Stewart, Barbara Walters and Oprah.  If these women are bitches count me in.

Interesting side note almost all the women listed above are also listed as the most powerful women in Hollywood. Now that’s some food for thought.

When the word bitch is so often linked to such successful women it becomes a non-insult. Who wouldn’t want to share characteristics with these women? When some says “You’re a BITCH!” my reply is always “and?” I figure if women like Barbara Walters and Oprah are bitches it’s not a bad thing. Hell it’s probably a good thing.

But that’s just my opinion, what do you guys think, is bitch a derogatory term or a title that should be worn proudly? Let me know what you think in the comment box below and as always stay and play safe.

Love,

The Honest BITCH!!
xoxo


14 comments:

  1. I love your pseudonym and your blog name. Whoever has the time to come bitch to you about it should go have a life of their own and a blog of their own where he or she can complain about your pseudonym choice if that's what he or she wants to do.
    I wouldn't necesseraly want to be called a bitch - but it all depends of the context. THE BITCH and THE HONESt BITCH are very different to me. Plus, if you are the one calling yourself a bitch, it is totally cool. It is the equivalent of me being blonde and being allowed to make blond jokes.

    As usual my comment is short and sweet lmao

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    1. I knew there was a reason I liked you :-) I mean if he had an issue with the word bitch why click on my blog in the first place? lol

      That's a very good point and it has to be said you seem to have too many blonde moments so there can't be too many jokes.

      Hey if you ever left me a short comment I'd be worried about your health at this point ;-)



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    2. Didn't get the second paragraph unless my brunette friend forgot a word :) did you mean that I don't have too many blond moments? or did I completely misunderstand?

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    3. lol you know what they say...typing is a skill.

      Yes it should have said "You don't seem to have"......is it bedtime yet? :-P

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    4. Depending on the country I am in :) same time zone as you right now :)

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    5. You enjoying the 4 hour time difference rather then 5? I don't know how you deal with all the timezone changes I've been here years and I swear I'm still on Toronto time :-)

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  2. I was talking once with a guy about the "n" word, and how (in his opinion) no one should ever use it... not even black guys. I pointed out that in areas where they deal with bigotry every day, hearing the word not out of hate but out of love an acceptance can be a very powerful thing. He responded that two woman calling each other bitch to be self empowering, it just made them look silly in his eyes. Then a pointed out that since it was self-empowering maybe HIS opinion was not the issue. The fact is there are words used in derogatory ways, but the words are defined by us. The word bitch is no worse than fag, which is used often in the gay community in a loving way, or the famous "n" word, "the word that can not be named".

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    1. The word fag still catches me off guard. The word "fag-hag" got thrown my way once and I nearly died lol But you're right they use it very commonly and it's not from a derogatory place, it's a loving albeit sometimes bitchy place.

      These words have kind of become the 2nd gen swear words. Nobody bats an eye at shit, ass or even fuck. But if someone uses the "n" word or fag all hell breaks loose.


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  3. Although I have to say, I think their are some words you can use and have them taken properly.

    http://weheartit.com/entry/32277518

    My fave use of the word bitch ever.

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  4. I love this blog post! I refer to myself as a bitch all the time, and sometimes people think of me that way. And you're right. It's because I'm strong, independent, and refuse to let others bully me around. People who have a problem with the word are usually pretty insecure about themselves.

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    1. I think your right, the problem is theirs not ours. There is nothing wrong with being a strong, independent bitch if people don't like it, that's their problem :-)

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  5. LOVE This!! I just did a Goofle search on the term 'bitch' and how/when it became derogatory.. especially love your acronym ;) I have one of my own for embracing your inner BITCH:

    Beauty
    Integity
    Truth
    Compassion
    Healing

    One cool thing I found in my search came from this blog post: Enjoy!

    http://goddesschess.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-did-bitch-become-bad-word.html

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  6. Love the word bitch and if you are a bitch then be proud and shout it from the rooftops(I do) not everyone can carry it off, but really, honest? Are you? I bend everything to fit n work for me and so would never refer to my self as an honest bitch and I think that deep down you can't either.... Honest bitch????nah hhh bitch? Yeahhhhhhhh

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