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.

Episoder(406)

Heirs, Affairs & Exiles: The Powderham Scandal

Heirs, Affairs & Exiles: The Powderham Scandal

Why would a man embroil his own nephew in a sex scandal? What was it like for a Georgian man to have his affair with another man shared in the papers? And what options were available to them after thi...

18 Apr 202349min

Victorian Wardrobe Secrets

Victorian Wardrobe Secrets

If someone from the future looked inside your wardrobe, what could they find out about your life? That you like going out to parties? Maybe your work uniform is in there? Or perhaps there is still evi...

14 Apr 202332min

Bond Girls

Bond Girls

‘Bond girl’ is quite a loaded term. Why aren’t they women? What makes them part of this homologous team? And what does it mean if they have red hair?In this episode, Kate speaks to Dr Lisa Funnell, aw...

11 Apr 202349min

Sports Bra

Sports Bra

REAL LIFE INVENTOR ALERT!!!Two jockstraps cleverly sewn together. That was how the very first sports bra was made in 1977. The product built out from this prototype, the “Jog Bra”, went on to change w...

7 Apr 202334min

Early Modern Murder

Early Modern Murder

What was the early modern version of CSI? Why might whole pubs have been singing an executed person’s final words? And was the crime of murder different back then?In this episode, Kate spoke to Blessi...

31 Mar 202340min

Pestle or Sex Toy? The Roman 'Dildo'

Pestle or Sex Toy? The Roman 'Dildo'

You may have seen the news that archaeologists have been reassessing a phallic object from Vindolanda Roman Fort in the north of Britain.How does the saying go ... "If it looks like a duck, swims like...

28 Mar 202340min

Sordid Soho

Sordid Soho

From the Chevalier de Saint-Georges to the Merry Monarch to Madame Jojo and Madame Trenti, the district of Soho in London has played host to many of the naughtiest names in history. And now, we can in...

24 Mar 202350min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
rss-katastrofe
henrettelsespodden
historier-som-endret-norge
historier-som-endret-verden
aftenposten-historie
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
med-egne-oyne
rss-benadet
sektledere
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
historiepodden
rss-frontkjemperne
rss-gamle-greier
rss-historiske-romanser-svik-drap-og-kjarlighet
taakeprat
liberal-halvtime
vare-historier
virkelig-grusomt
historiepodden-ww2