(no subject)

[prog]

You know, I'm actually rather uncomfortable with the current popular usage among the Daily Show-watching set of using "[has] balls" and "[is a] pussy" as slang for possessing admirable bravado and contemptible cowardliness or passivity, respectively.

Since the people employing the phrase are the furthest thing from ripsnorting redstaters, I suppose that there's a sense of ironic fun to be had by stepping briefly into George Liquor's shoes for a moment, passing an indictment as one who believes that men primarily validate themselves by going in there and changing the world, and women do it by quietly submitting to authority.

It's a little shocking to hear it coming from you, and so we all laugh. But when I hear you say it over and over again, I do start to wonder.

Comments

[dictator555.livejournal.com]

Huh, I've never really thought about it that way. These were pretty common utterances I heard growing up, and I've been enjoying their revival and renaissance on the Daily Show. As a woman, I personally don't have any problem with them. The literal meanings and their sexist connotations are so far removed from reality for me that the words are completely inoffensive. Not just is it ironic in the it's-funny-because-it's-totally-not-true sense, but the literal meaning is just so faded. The words seem entirely washed of the sexist connotations and reborn as just kind of fun baby-swears.

But maybe that's just naive of me and I'm unwittingly supporting the misogynist patriarchy. Though I don't think I personally use them much, I'll try to refrain from doing so in your presence any more. :)

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

I don't use them much, and while I don't find them highly offensive I consider them a far cry from "completely inoffensive."

To me the literal meanings are very much present. Both words do get a lot of use to mean actual, physical genitalia, even though the figurative use is also very common. When "has balls" is used figuratively about women, to me there's still a strong connotation of "gutsy in a manly (and therefore admirable) sort of way."

I think my thoughts about this are less strong than prog's, but I do feel pretty much in agreement with him.

[dictator555.livejournal.com]

It's good to know this stuff still offends people. I should really be more careful. :)

[prog.livejournal.com]

That's interesting. Much of my discomfort stems from my own assumption that these perceptions of gender-intrinsic qualities that boil down to strength versus weakness are actually very much alive in our culture. So much dimmer than they were decades ago, perhaps, but still there. I think their dimming is good, and so even a playful mock-resurgence of them makes me wary.

But I'd hate it if people felt the need to watch what they say around me! None of this does me pain or offense. I'm just thinkin out loud is all.

Ha ha also Zarf just this very second offered me some of those Cheddar Beer potato chips you hate. Or is it the other kind? I forget.

[dictator555.livejournal.com]

I think this might be a generational thing. I think my generation might have been raised to take for granted the equality of women in a lot of ways. Or maybe it was just such a non-issue to me personally while growing up. I was raised mainly by strong women, so I just took for granted that women are strong. Certainly as strong as men and possibly I'm sexist in the opposite way and think they're even stronger than men.

And Cheddar Beer potato chips are AWESOME. It's the Thai flavored Kettle Chips I don't like. D'oh. Now I will have to stop at the grocery store on the way home and get some cheddar beer ones. Darn you, Zarf and Jason!