Here's something I'd like to discuss....

[blue_lotus13]

I have problems with the word "douchebag." I know that it's pejorative and that it is an acceptable insult, but to me, it's a bit out there. Why should I want to call someone something that has to do with cleaning a vagina? I'm not really in favour of the process of douching, since it seems pretty pointless, but the term "douche" or "douchebag" has always irritated me.

Does anyone else think that this insult is fairly sexist? Am I the only one who feels this way?

Comments

[willietheshakes.livejournal.com]

I think it's incredibly sexist.

I also find, though, that it has tremendous force as an insult.

(shrugs)

Do I contradict myself? I contradict myself. I am vast, I contain multitudes...

Thinking about it, though, it's not the sexist aspect that is at the root of its insultive power -- it is, as you point out, the "uselessness" or, pointlessness, of the process and, ergo, the tool. By calling someone a douchebag, the connotation, to my mind, is that they're useless.

[charlotterusse.livejournal.com]

I think it's incredibly sexist.

I also find, though, that it has tremendous force as an insult.

i would agree. it does bother me, and yet it often is the only word to describe so many people who bother me. i also for a very long time had problems with "pussy" being a connotation for weakness and yet i have just been unable to remove it from my vocabulary.

[willietheshakes.livejournal.com]

Yup, I agree.

It probably says something about the entrenched nature of sexism in our society, but let's face it: a prick is a prick, there's no better term for him. And a bitch is a bitch. And a certain degree of insufferableness makes one a twat.

shrugs

[bloominglotus.livejournal.com]

Exactly.