Words and cultural differences

[Angrboda]

'Cunt' is offensive, no matter how it is used.  Yes, the use of it is VERY common, still not something you'd say in polite company. In the UK, Australia or New Zealand, calling someone a cunt is much more likely to escalate the situation than calling them an idiot.

Boru

I don't know. In some sense it's like the N word in that its offensiveness depends on context and intent. A woman can call another woman a cunt, or moreso, call a man a cunt, without it necessarily having the same salacious and offensive content. Indeed, I understand that the word is used as another term for mate in Australia. In particular, too, I think it comes across as more offensive when it is intentionally used to offend than when it is not. Say if a female pal of mine were to make a brain fart, I might respond along the lines of, "You silly cunt," and not be perceived as being offensive at all. It's similar to 'bint' in that respect. So I think it depends.