Bitch
The word "bitch", (literally meaning a female dog) is a common slang term in the English language, especially used as a denigrating term applied to a woman. It often refers to someone (traditionally female) who is belligerent, unreasonable, rudely intrusive or aggressive.
Its original use as a vulgarism, documented to the fourteenth century, suggested high sexual desire in a woman, comparable to a dog in heat. The range of meanings has expanded in modern usage. In a feminist context, it can indicate a strong or assertive woman, one who might make men feel threatened. When applied to a man, "bitch" is a derogatory term for a subordinate.
See also [ Bull bitch ]
Idioms
- Son of a bitch
The term son of a bitch is a form of profanity usually used to refer to a man who is nasty, rude or otherwise offensive. In Shakespeare's King Lear (1603), the Earl of Kent refers to Oswald as: "...nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch..."
Its use as an insult is as old as that of "bitch". Euphemistic terms are often substituted, such as "gun" in the phrase "son of a gun" as opposed to "son of a bitch", or "s.o.b." for the same phrase. Like "bitch," the severity of the insult has diminished. Roy Blount, Jr. recently[when?] extolled the virtues of "son of a bitch" (particularly in comparison to "asshole") in common speech and deed.
- Bitch slap
Lance Cade bitch slaps Shelton Benjamin during the WWE Raw - Survivor Series Tour.The term "bitch slap" is derived from American slang. In the original sense, a bitch slap is a powerful, full-swing slap in the face with the front of the hand, evoking the way an angry pimp might slap a defiant prostitute (not to be confused with a pimp slap which uses the back of the hand). However, the term is now frequently used figuratively to describe a humiliating defeat or punishment.
- Riding bitch
"Riding bitch" is a slang term for riding pillion, sitting behind the driver on a motorcycle. It can also refer to sitting between others in a car.
Other forms
When used as a verb, to bitch means to complain. Usage in this context is almost always pejorative in intent. Allegedly, it was originally used to refer to the stereotypical wife's constant complaints about petty things, effectively tying in the etymology with the vulgar slang for an unpleasant woman.
As an adjective, the term sometimes has a meaning opposite its usual connotations. Something that is bitching or bitchin' is really great. For example, an admired motorcycle may be praised as a "bitchin' bike".
Chat rooms • What links here • Copyright info • Contact information • Category:Root