(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

[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. :)