General Chat

How on earth did this word come about? It's ok to hear a female dog called a "bitch", but to refer to a female as a "bitch" is so degrading, don't you think so? Sylvia xxx

My mother refers to women who might fall into that category as "meadow ladies" (ie cows)! It's interesting, though I agree degrading, that women who are spiteful are called "bitches" whilst those who are considered unattractive are called "dogs". Men aren't judged in the same way are they? If they are thugs, they might be referred to as "animals" but I can't think of a specific animal, apart of course from the male chauvenist pig! nell

Hi Bitch isnt a nasty term in all countries. When I was on holiday in Australia 4 years ago I was called a pommy bitch, I was ready to take it as an insult until someone told me that Bitch over there isnt a horrible term (Hopefully someone from Oz will confirm that :-) ) Karen

Baz. You have enlightened us all :-)

It's true when women are called "animal" names like 'dog', 'bitch' and 'cow' or 'bird' it's very insulting. However when men are it tends to be light hearted and funny, eg, 'Old Goat',' Stallion' . Christine

I could never call anybody a "bitch" really. If people are being nasty it is probably because they are themselves unstable, had a bad childhood, poor marriage etc. etc. Just the same as swearing in general. Sylvia xxx

Ordinarily Sylvia,I would agree but I do know one particular person whom this expression seems to suit down to the ground and she isnt a member of GC just someone who is a major pain in the proverbial but I wont sin my soul saying her name because she would be straight to the solicitor suing me for libel!

Collette's mum bought me what she thought was a stuffed toy dragon which, on closer inspection, proved to be a floppy-eared canine. As it is wearing ribbons I named it Bitch. Not derogatory but descriptive.