Bloggers more well read than I have written about the use of the word "bitch." But usually they are interested in how the label supresses the power of women in society.
Some feminists have taken ownership of the word, even going so far to treat it as an anagram such as: Beauty In Total Control of Herself. Neuropsychologists have published papers written on how curses are unknowingly used by us to activate the amigdala of the recipient, and in so far as this information helps us better understand ourselves, I applaud them. Unfortunately, this posting, this hijackign of Sara's blog, has no such purpose.
Instead, I want to celebrate the utility of the word. Have you ever known or dated a total bitch? Could you imagine how long it would take you to describe this person to some one else if you couldn't use that word? How many times have you started an apology by saying "I'm sorry I was a bitch to you last night.... "
What made me think of this? Spanish has no truly equivalent word. "Puta" is a whore, while the literal translation "perra" (female dog) when used to describe a person really is closer to "whore" than "bitch". "Bruja" (witch) is closer, but still, it's more like "crazy bitch."
So, with all of it's flaws, with all of it's misuses, take a moment, and be grateful we have "bitch" to shorten our conversations and give us more time free to do things other than talk about the bitches we've known.
Thank you.
Very curious as to what prompted this post. ;-)
In the bottom of my t-shirt drawer, I have one that says "Feminist Bitch. Get used to it." I love it but I have worn it exactly once. I think that makes me a bit of a hypocrite.
Posted by: laurie | June 19, 2009 at 08:50 AM
There are lots of descriptions that I wish could be as concise.
Posted by: Amorette | June 20, 2009 at 01:47 PM
So who was the lucky woman who made you start thinking about bitches?
Posted by: aura | June 25, 2009 at 03:41 AM