I've seen a lot of feminists (on this blog and otherwise) explain why they dislike the use of the word "pussy" to mean weak, because it equates weakness or inability with having a vagina. Of course I agree that it's disgustingly misogynistic and needs to stop. But it got me thinking about testicles being used as a symbol of bravery or strength -- i.e., when someone accomplishes some feat, or does something badass, or shows some display or bravery, it's said that, "So-and-so is ballsy!" "Man, so-and-so's got kahones." "That takes serious balls," etc.
So, vagina=weak, fragile, and incapable while testicles=strong, brave, and defiant. This pattern sure sounds familiar, don't it?
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Yeah, this fucked up language has got to go. Besides, it's kind of nonsensical. Kick me in the pussy and then kick a guy in the balls -- I don't think I'D be the first one to fall to the floor, writhing in pain (not that I'd enjoy being kicked in the crotch...)
Besides, considering how much punishment a woman's hoo-hah can take (childbirth, anyone?) it's kind of ridiculous to suggest that this is the epitome of weakness. I think we should refer to wimpy people as "eyeballs" -- now THERE's a sensitive organ.
DCPrina,
Apparently, ovaries are just as painful as testicles when struck.
they are more protected, yes, but just as sensitive.
PS Sorry for being such a pedant.
Yeah but people use "pussy" to mean weakness not "ovaries" so while ovaries is the flipcoin to testicles, it's not when it comes to common slang.
Damn evolution and its giving us testicles that don't work at normal body temperature...
First, not to be picky but the word is "cajones"
Second, I agree totally. I don't use "pussy" or make reference to "manginas" or anything like that, but I have been known to refer to brave men as "balls-y". I, and some people I know, will also equate the same strength to women by saying they have "ovaries of steel" - I don't know if this makes it any better, but we're not referring to women as being brave by saying they have male sex organs so I guess it's a start.
Most people who use it in the U.S. as slang spell it as kahones, because it's meant to be an intentional mispelling of cajones.
Not to be even pickier, but it is actually "cojones." Muchas gracias.
Yeah, I've referred to courageous women as having a brass pair...of ovaries!
It's all fairly nonsensical when you think about it, that genitalia denotes strength or weakness, or bravery, or fear. Isn't fear a response based in the brain, not the genitals? Vernacular language has a certain amount of creative license to it, I guess.
I agree with you 100%, which is why I was so surprised to see this quote from Bust on Jessica Valenti's website: "The Brooklyn-based founder of feministing.com--the uncompromising, balls-out, feminist blog--is brilliant, beautiful, and not even 30 years old"
How can feminists use this word in good conscience? It's implications are clear. The source of courage is testicles--and the size of the testicles is directly related to the amount of courage you possess. If you are a coward, you are said to have no testicles, and in fact, be a vagina.
There's a fun book out called "That takes Ovaries" that plays on this exact theme. It's kind of all over the place in terms of scope and personal vs educational essays, and some of them made me bristle a bit, but it's still definitely worth looking at.
We men suffer from such terms, you know.
Cockup? Ballsup? Manhandling?
Is 'pussyfooting' a positive or a negative?
Actually, 'pussyfooting' is a reference to the careful, stealthy way that a cat walks around something it finds distasteful or unnerving...it has nothing to do with the slang term for female genitalia.
Personally I've always asserted that 'balls' can be testicles or ovaries. After all, barring any developmental anomalies, we all have gonads. Therefore, we all have balls. The only difference is whether they're dangling or tucked neatly inside. Maybe that's not what most people mean when they use the word, but that interpretation makes me feel a lot better.
However, I'm with all of the above on the association of feminine traits with weakness. I say it's time we brought back the word 'coward' or find some other term that doesn't have connotations of sex/gender.
I've heard women say things like "she must have ovaries of steel" for exactly that reason.
I use "gonads." We've all got gonads, and it's still got the same punch. Or if you want it to be shorter, "nads."
I was in a production of 'that takes ovaries!' and I like to use 'ovaries' when talking about women who have 'balls' there is also an amazing song called 'big ovaries baby' by Gaye Adegbalola which I highly reccomend!
but yeh the whole 'omg you throw lieka GIRL' thing is infuriating, nore proof that to be a woman is to be weak and for a woman to be scuessfull she has to 'act like a man'. erg.
There was a community blog recently where someone pointed out that balls are weak. If you kick a man in the groin he falls down, it's the weakest point of his body. So why is it used to describe streghth?
Testicles are about the most delicate thing you'll ever come across on the human body. Using them as an example of strength is delusional.
I've heard this complaint before and my thought is this...
I can't be offended at pussy meaning weak, because when you call someone a dick, it is just as derogatory.
Now here's one that is non-gender specific, but pretty gross when you think of it: Asshole. Funny how the yuckiest of all is the most commonly used one.
I consciously try to use "guts."
Em and Lo have used "labes" on their blog(s) as a "balls" equivalent.