A History of the C-Word

WARNING: This episode includes adult content and explicit language. As offensive terms go, you are entering a hard hat area.


It’s one of the most taboo words in the English dictionary. In Scotland, it can be a term of endearment, but in the US it's one of the worst offences out there, and it would more than likely get you fired if you said it to your boss at work. It starts with c, and ends in t and we're not talking about a coconut.


Kate is joined Betwixt the Sheets for our 100th episode by our favourite Kathy Burke and linguist legend Professor Deborah Cameron to talk about the etymology and cultural meaning of the c-word.


Why is a word that simply means the vulva regarded as the most offensive word in the English language? Where does the word come from? And were medieval people really calling their children the c-bomb?


Senior Producer: Charlotte Long. Producer: Sophie Gee. Mixed by Stuart Beckwith.


For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.


If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts, and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(400)

The Boleyn Who Betrayed Henry VIII

The Boleyn Who Betrayed Henry VIII

She was executed on Henry VIII's orders alongside Catherine Howard, and was sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn and the King. She lived in the heart of the Tudor court, and almost made it out alive.It was a ...

10 Loka 202542min

Inside Imperial Japan's Brothels

Inside Imperial Japan's Brothels

After the first licensed brothel opened in the 17th century, how was sex work thought of in Japan throughout the following centuries?From the brothels in the pleasure quarters, to the rise and popular...

7 Loka 202550min

The Scandalous Royal Mistress Who Ruled France

The Scandalous Royal Mistress Who Ruled France

Is this strangest threesome in royal history?!We're endlessly fascinated with the lives of royal mistresses, and this has to be one of the most notorious.It takes place in 16th century France between ...

3 Loka 202537min

Inside The 18th Century Brothel Ship

Inside The 18th Century Brothel Ship

Why did a British ship carry over 200 women to Australia in the late 18th century? In this episode, we are going inside the Lady Juliana, a convict transportation ship.What crimes were these women bei...

30 Syys 202537min

History's Worst F*ckboys: Rasputin

History's Worst F*ckboys: Rasputin

Rasputin presented himself as a mystic healer, and preached that the only way to salvation was through sin — which sometimes, if rumour is to be believed, manifested in orgies.It's definitely giving f...

26 Syys 202529min

Why Are We Scared Of Single Women?

Why Are We Scared Of Single Women?

Where did the idea of the bunny boiler come from?In this episode we're exploring how single women got such a bad rap in popular culture. From Miss Havisham to Bridget Jones, Caroline Young joins Kate ...

23 Syys 202542min

Who Was The Naughtiest Pope In History?

Who Was The Naughtiest Pope In History?

Sex, scandal and ... the Sacraments? Renaissance Rome wasn't for the faint hearted. And the Vatican? For some that was the source of the drama.In this episode, Kate is joined by Catherine Fletcher to ...

19 Syys 202549min

History's Worst F*ckboys: Emperor Nero

History's Worst F*ckboys: Emperor Nero

Where does Emperor Nero fit in the pantheon of history's worst f*ckboys?Does he measure up against the likes of previous episodes on Charles II or Raphael? Is he the worst of the lot? And what strange...

16 Syys 202544min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
mystista
konginkangas
totuus-vai-salaliitto
tsunami
rss-ikiuni
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
rouva-diktaattori
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
historiaa-suomeksi
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
tiedetta-ja-sirkushuveja-vanhojen-aikojen-podcast
rss-iltanuotiolla
historian-nurkkapoyta
rss-kuningashuone