Cunt

Cunt is a vulgar slang term referring to the female genitalia. It is considered one of the strongest English-language profanities and is widely regarded as highly offensive in formal, public, or mixed company. In many contexts, its use as an insult or expression of contempt is aimed at women and can be understood as misogynistic or demeaning. Some subcultures or individuals, however, attempt to reclaim the word or use it in a joking or emphatic manner, though this reclaiming is controversial and not universally accepted.

Etymology and history are unclear. The term appears in English texts from the Middle Ages, with uncertain origins and possible connections to cognate words in other Germanic languages that refer to the female genitalia. Over time its meaning shifted from a descriptive term in some contexts toward strong taboo and insult in modern usage. It is not a medical or anatomical term, where words like vulva or vagina are appropriate.

Usage and reception vary by region, setting, and audience. In most workplaces, schools, media, and formal writing, it is avoided or censored. In literature, film, or linguistic studies, it may be discussed as part of discussions on profanity, gender, and power. When encountered in everyday speech, the term typically signals hostility or familiarity and can provoke strong reactions.