Reply #: I said this in thread #5 but I will repost.

[Lizz612]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1357419&mesg_id=1357559

I have been called a bitch, and it has meant everything under the sun, except the original definition. The connotation has been demeaning, empowering, even complimentary. Its always about context. Frankly I don't care about what the history of the word is. I care about how its being used here and now.

Addressing the actual questions:
"should we forbid the use of the term "bitch" to refer to women"
I have never heard it here on DU in reference to women in general. I suppose Skinner means a phrase such as "I hate bitches." In this case the speaker obviously means bitchy women, but not just women. Posters seem to object because the noun is feminine when standing alone. To which I say, there is an equivalent, bastard. Yes the words came from different places, but now they mean roughly the same. I'm not for putting women above or below men, I'm for equality. Equal empowerment and equal bashing.

"should we forbid related terms like "bitch slap?""
Again, I care only about the current use of this word; a solid open handed slap across the face, sometimes leaving a red hand print. I have no problem with this. I've given a few of these when they were well deserved.

This isn't science where aluminum always means aluminum, this is culture and it changes. Words are part of culture, they change also.