It should come as no surprise that my favorite naughty word is absolutely dripping with history.

This word is controversial. It’s filthy some say. Others, myself included, are of the opinion that it is, in fact, empowering.

I’m speaking of the word: Cunt.

Now before you turn away, let me divulge a little bit of the fascinating history of this word.

Did you know that the word ‘cunt‘ is one of the oldest words for female genitalia in the English language; and possibly further back? The only word that is possibly older is ‘yoni‘. Not only that, it is the only word of it‘s kind to encompass all of the female bits: vulva, clit and vagina.

Vagina, on the other hand, was first seen in 17th century medical texts and means “sheath or scabbard“, it is literally something a sword goes into, that is it‘s complete etymological function-to hold a penis.

Cunt, on the other hand, derives from a Proto Indo European root word meaning woman, knowledge, creator or queen. Pretty bad ass right?

‘Cunt’ also has a bit of a mixed usage in our modern day.

In America, it’s a terribly dirty swear word. In Glasgow, a term of endearment. I’m inclined, however, to use it for what it was intended, which is to describe my most intimate, most mysterious parts. The parts that are so often seen as needing to be waxed, or perfumed. The parts that have been judged ‘dirty’ once a month because I bleed.  In other words, I want to reclaim the word that calls my genitalia powerful, wonderful, queenly, creative instead of dirty, smelly and unkempt.

And just to be clear: there are trans-men that have cunts. They get to have the power of this word too if they choose. I believe that in this age, the power of the cunt belongs to all that have them, whether they identify as female or not. Yes the symbolism and ancient meaning had the gender of female in mind, but I also believe that this word can be living and breathing. It can and should evolve to encompass more and that’s why I believe that trans men can also own this word if they so choose and it doesn’t take anything away from anyone.

I love how startling it is when you hear the word ‘cunt’. Transgressive even. But it’s also empowering in way no other word really is. I mean, if you’re bold enough to use the word ‘cunt’, what else are you going to do?

I see ‘cunt’ having a rennaissance of sorts. Loads of women and people with cunts, young and old, reclaiming it alongside their right to bodily autonomy and equality.

And I’m here for it.