There would be few people who haven't been in your situation, myself included. It takes humility and self reflection to apologise. The use of the name Karen as a way of putting women down really irritates me. Probably because of my age, I have many friends called Karen and not one of them is entitled or not a nice person. I feel sorry that they have been saddled with this misappropriation of their name. Misogyny is never far below the surface in our society and it takes very little to expose it.
Well done Nick for your apology. You have again proved why your newsletters are so worth reading. They are clearly written by a good bloke with lots of good things to say.
I’m not bothered so much by people using the word cunt, we’ve been saying dick for ages. I do think it’s a wonderful, powerful word for women to own though and I’d prefer we used it exclusively! I do shudder at the Karen thing, women reach middle age and it almost seems unavoidable that we will be labelled ‘Karen’s’ at some point. There isn’t really a male equivalent that has as much sticking power or accuracy sadly, such is the patriarchy. Who knows maybe being Dave and Chris will become derogatory at some point??
Thank you Nick, well apologised. I kick myself every time I lower the bar when very angry (or more often when trying to be funny), and I’m getting better. But, I know that I will stuff up sometimes and I hope that I have the grace and courage to acknowledge the wrong - else forgiveness is unjustified.
Thank you Nick, and thank you Karen. I cringed yesterday at the use of the word and the name. My finger hovered over the little heart that indicates approval of your column. It was only late in the day I activated the heart despite still cringing and flinching but wondering whether I was being ‘over sensitive’ a criticism often levelled at people who raise such issues. So thanks for your courage and honesty Karen, and for taking the time to articulate a crucial point.
ooops. I actually enjoyed your use of the word yesterday. i dont use the word myself, but it resonated with my own anger. I no longer associate that word with female anatomy and particulary liked the phrase for a plurality of the word. I even thought of sharing it in a comment somewhere. but when I went to share, I held back, something didnt feel right. Thank you Nick for articulating today what didnt feel right for me and why. Yes the world has gone a bit crazy. Your words help. korero.
To be honest it didn't worry me at all & like LJ NZ said it can also have its positive meaning like 'a good cunt'.
Funnily enough I used to cringe at its use in a 'wash your mouth' type of way (must be my Mum's tut tutting influence?) & very rarely used/use it unless really pissed off with someone & then it slips out (or yelled if on my own in the car or watching the news) Unfortunately with this pack of incompetents incharge it means it happens too frequently. Much to the dismay of my Hubby & his'sensitive ears'.
Lol but then two of our favourite female friends use it so often his ears could very well fall off AND he's an Aussie so should be used to it shouldn't he?
Carry on Nick you do a brilliant job & I'm sure you type & delete many things you'd love to say if it was in the privacy of your own diary not your very popular & public Kōrero
Thanks for being thoughtful and considerate, there's a scant amount of that around these days. Reminds me of the 80's in all the really bad ways. (greed is good)
If you go back to the early meanings of cunt it was a positive word 'a good cunt' and so forth. I'm no cunning linguist but love words and their origins. Even Shakespeare was using language to be rude, the words his plays say aren't what they mean at first look. Probably preaching to the choir here, but maybe we go back to some of Shakespeare's old English and really hoe in to some good old/new insults? Say the words in an old English accent and a lot of them make a lot more comedy from dry sounding plays. Think of speak like a pirate days accent.
My name has started to be used along with Karen, guess I'm THAT age.
Don't stress about it Nick. Its an old word that when said well is very effective. I love the way it is now not acceptable to attack this coalition of c....s. I run a private FB group with a wide range of political views. For two years prior to the election we suffered attacks on JA and Labour from some strident Tories in the group. Now, with this outfit they are objecting to those of us who are more enlightened criticising the three clowns in charge. The right love dishing it out but don't want to play when on the receiving end.
Thank you Nick, for your incisive and insightful writing, the music and humility to come right out and say when you get it wrong.
For me it’s not the word, which in olden times was used by men and women alike to name the vagina. It’s the pejorative women, and some men, don’t like and for all the reasons raised in yesterday’s comments.
So amends made and move on. Keep calling the ball sacks to account and give me Waters/Gilmore any time.
All good Nick. We all have our moments. This current mob in power well, they are beyond belief.
A reaction to their conniving cruel use of urgency to bypass parliamentary process is verging on criminal, and as James said, 'could bite them.' Keep writing Nick as you articulate our thoughts and feelings so well.
An impressive stepping up with the apology there Nick. I won't touch on the Word, but would comment on the 'Karen' epithet. Names are generational, we know that. Karen seems to have been a popular name for what is now a particular age band. It seems the reason many of this age are at the point where, due to economic circumstances they have less control, perceived or actual, over their situation. So if an opportunity presents where they can at least subconsciously feel they can exercise some control they are more inclined to take it. Male equivalent probably closer to Kevin or Jim, but women are more often in a position of less power so this trend had become observable (and hence named) with the gender bias. It's an easy nom de guerre to apply, but there's a lot to unpick underneath.
There would be few people who haven't been in your situation, myself included. It takes humility and self reflection to apologise. The use of the name Karen as a way of putting women down really irritates me. Probably because of my age, I have many friends called Karen and not one of them is entitled or not a nice person. I feel sorry that they have been saddled with this misappropriation of their name. Misogyny is never far below the surface in our society and it takes very little to expose it.
Well done Nick for your apology. You have again proved why your newsletters are so worth reading. They are clearly written by a good bloke with lots of good things to say.
I’m not bothered so much by people using the word cunt, we’ve been saying dick for ages. I do think it’s a wonderful, powerful word for women to own though and I’d prefer we used it exclusively! I do shudder at the Karen thing, women reach middle age and it almost seems unavoidable that we will be labelled ‘Karen’s’ at some point. There isn’t really a male equivalent that has as much sticking power or accuracy sadly, such is the patriarchy. Who knows maybe being Dave and Chris will become derogatory at some point??
Thank you Nick, well apologised. I kick myself every time I lower the bar when very angry (or more often when trying to be funny), and I’m getting better. But, I know that I will stuff up sometimes and I hope that I have the grace and courage to acknowledge the wrong - else forgiveness is unjustified.
Well done Nick and Karen. Also well done Nick on 2 1/2 years of sobriety.
Thank you Nick, and thank you Karen. I cringed yesterday at the use of the word and the name. My finger hovered over the little heart that indicates approval of your column. It was only late in the day I activated the heart despite still cringing and flinching but wondering whether I was being ‘over sensitive’ a criticism often levelled at people who raise such issues. So thanks for your courage and honesty Karen, and for taking the time to articulate a crucial point.
ooops. I actually enjoyed your use of the word yesterday. i dont use the word myself, but it resonated with my own anger. I no longer associate that word with female anatomy and particulary liked the phrase for a plurality of the word. I even thought of sharing it in a comment somewhere. but when I went to share, I held back, something didnt feel right. Thank you Nick for articulating today what didnt feel right for me and why. Yes the world has gone a bit crazy. Your words help. korero.
To be honest it didn't worry me at all & like LJ NZ said it can also have its positive meaning like 'a good cunt'.
Funnily enough I used to cringe at its use in a 'wash your mouth' type of way (must be my Mum's tut tutting influence?) & very rarely used/use it unless really pissed off with someone & then it slips out (or yelled if on my own in the car or watching the news) Unfortunately with this pack of incompetents incharge it means it happens too frequently. Much to the dismay of my Hubby & his'sensitive ears'.
Lol but then two of our favourite female friends use it so often his ears could very well fall off AND he's an Aussie so should be used to it shouldn't he?
Carry on Nick you do a brilliant job & I'm sure you type & delete many things you'd love to say if it was in the privacy of your own diary not your very popular & public Kōrero
It is an offensive word but I admit I brushed it off because I thought it was appropriate.
As for “Trevors”, I love it. Hahaha.
Thanks for being thoughtful and considerate, there's a scant amount of that around these days. Reminds me of the 80's in all the really bad ways. (greed is good)
If you go back to the early meanings of cunt it was a positive word 'a good cunt' and so forth. I'm no cunning linguist but love words and their origins. Even Shakespeare was using language to be rude, the words his plays say aren't what they mean at first look. Probably preaching to the choir here, but maybe we go back to some of Shakespeare's old English and really hoe in to some good old/new insults? Say the words in an old English accent and a lot of them make a lot more comedy from dry sounding plays. Think of speak like a pirate days accent.
My name has started to be used along with Karen, guess I'm THAT age.
Don't stress about it Nick. Its an old word that when said well is very effective. I love the way it is now not acceptable to attack this coalition of c....s. I run a private FB group with a wide range of political views. For two years prior to the election we suffered attacks on JA and Labour from some strident Tories in the group. Now, with this outfit they are objecting to those of us who are more enlightened criticising the three clowns in charge. The right love dishing it out but don't want to play when on the receiving end.
Thank you Nick, for your incisive and insightful writing, the music and humility to come right out and say when you get it wrong.
For me it’s not the word, which in olden times was used by men and women alike to name the vagina. It’s the pejorative women, and some men, don’t like and for all the reasons raised in yesterday’s comments.
So amends made and move on. Keep calling the ball sacks to account and give me Waters/Gilmore any time.
All good Nick. We all have our moments. This current mob in power well, they are beyond belief.
A reaction to their conniving cruel use of urgency to bypass parliamentary process is verging on criminal, and as James said, 'could bite them.' Keep writing Nick as you articulate our thoughts and feelings so well.
An impressive stepping up with the apology there Nick. I won't touch on the Word, but would comment on the 'Karen' epithet. Names are generational, we know that. Karen seems to have been a popular name for what is now a particular age band. It seems the reason many of this age are at the point where, due to economic circumstances they have less control, perceived or actual, over their situation. So if an opportunity presents where they can at least subconsciously feel they can exercise some control they are more inclined to take it. Male equivalent probably closer to Kevin or Jim, but women are more often in a position of less power so this trend had become observable (and hence named) with the gender bias. It's an easy nom de guerre to apply, but there's a lot to unpick underneath.
Thanks Nick. I absolutely agree with Karen. And I don't believe that women's or men's genitalia should be used as a term of abuse.
Apology accepted.
It is a word I never say. xxx