Bitch (slang)
Bitch is a term for a female dog, or for the female of a canine species in general. It is also frequently used as a derogatory term for a woman, taken to mean that she is malicious, spiteful, domineering, intrusive, or unpleasant. This second meaning has been in use since around 1400.[1] When used to describe a male, it confers the meaning of "subordinate", especially to another male (as in prison). More recent variants of bitch are bitchy, ill-tempered (1925), and to bitch, to complain (1930).[1]
Sometime during the late 1990s or early 2000s, the term "bitch" became more and more accepted and less offensive, and is now very rarely censored on television broadcasts or otherwise. Prior to the term's general acceptance, euphemism terms were often substituted, such as "gun" in the phrase "son of a gun".
Etymology
Bitch comes from Old English bicce[2] which may be from Old Norse bikkjuna.[1] These uses refer to a female dog, a meaning the modern English word retains. It is not known whether English bitch and French biche (meaning fawn as well as bitch) are related.[2]
Uses
Bitch has long been in use to refer to a woman in contempt, as shown in an 1811 dictionary which describes bitch as "the most offensive appellation that can be given to an English woman, even more provoking than that of whore".[3]
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- Meaning woman
The word bitch is sometimes used casually among hip-hop artists and followers of the culture. The term is typically used to describe a young female regardless of personality or looks. Often it is a directly negative and violent condemnation of character (referring sometimes to males as well, but especially directed at females). When used, it is sometimes meant in a more ambiguous sense, though usually it denotes ownership, therefore reinforcing cultural norms of the word as negative, especially towards the feminine. This is similar to previous feminist attempts to identify it as somewhat a call of sisterhood.
- Sexual subordinacy
In the context of prison sexuality, a bitch is a lower-hierarchy prisoner, typically physically weak or vulnerable, who is dominated by more senior prisoners and forced to adopt a servile role. According to convention, these inmates are used as sexual slaves or traded as personal property. To call a male a "bitch" usually suggests that he is sexually passive in this manner.
- Bitch slap
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.
- Son of a bitch
The term son of a bitch is a form of profanity (used mainly in the US) usually used to refer to a man who is nasty, rude or otherwise offensive. It also is used as an exclamation or in an exclamative pretext. In the latter case it may be considered a swear or curse. It is commonly abbreviated as SOB.
- Riding bitch
The word bitch as in the phrase "riding bitch" can refer to the middle bench seat in which one is sandwiched between the driver and another passenger—an uncomfortable position when space in the car is scarce, especially where the drive tunnel limits legroom.
The origins of the phrase "riding bitch" could be interpreted as chauvinistic or sexist. In the past, as well as currently in some parts of the world, men have been the drivers and women have sat next to them, with the child or passenger in the seat furthest from the driver. "Riding bitch" also refers to riding on the small seat behind the driver of a motorcycle.
Insult: Bitch The word Bitch can also be used to describe a coward, quitter, or person who one extremely dislikes. For example: That Ted Briggs... he is such a bitch.
Variants
The adjectives bitchy and bitchin' and the verb to bitch evolved from the noun bitch. All of these derivative forms tend to be less offensive than the noun form, although it is clear that most derivations of the term originate from the insulting meaning of "bitch."
From this usage of bitch as "complain", the colloquial noun bitch-fest evolved, to describe people complaining about something together. Used in its verb form, to bitch is considered significantly less offensive than the noun bitch. It is not uncommon for people to say that they are "bitching" about something, whereas it is less common for someone to call himself or herself a "bitch." Although "to bitch" may maintain some of its feminine specificity, men are also commonly said to be "bitching" when they are complaining extensively about something (thus implying they are acting feminine).
The use of the term "bitching" has been extended to the common sewing or crafting get together known as a "stitch-n-bitch". At these gathering women (and occasionally men) gather to work on projects and talk or complain.
The adjective bitchy has a wider range of meanings. Someone who is bitchy may merely be temperamental or moody. Bitchy is usually used to describe women; it can be somewhat feminizing when used for men. Alternately, when applied to articles of clothing, it suggests that they are worn to advertise sexual availability.
Bitchin' was a valley girl term used in the 1980s synonymous with the word "cool".
Biatch is a pronunciation of bitch, which became popular through its frequent use in rap music and by black comedians. Beeotch, Beyotch, Byotch, Beyatch, and "Botch" are other ways of spelling the Biatch pronunciation of "bitch."
According to Google Trends the word "biatch" struck through during November 2004.
In Internet slang, particularly in online gaming, the variant "biz0tch" appears.
In cards
- In poker
Common situations in poker where another player has "drawn out," or managed to defy probability and defeat them with a previously weaker hand, is occasionally referred to as "getting bitched."
To have the "bitch end" of a hand in poker is to have the weaker version of the same hand as another player. This situation occurs especially in poker games with community cards.
- In hearts
In the game of hearts, the queen of spades (worth thirteen points alone) is referred to as "the bitch" or the "Black Bitch". The latter nickname has evolved into an alternative name for the game itself.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "bitch". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2007-01-09.
- ^ a b Chantrell, Glynnis, ed. (2002). The Oxford Essential Dictionary of Word Histories. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-19098-6.
- ^ Grose, Francis. 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Hosted at Project Gutenberg. Retrieved on January 9, 2007.