Overview

Bitch is a bitch of a word. It used to be a straightforward insult, but today – after so many variations and efforts to reject or reclaim the word – it's not always entirely clear what it means. Bitch is a chameleon. There are good bitches and bad bitches; sexy bitches and psycho bitches; boss bitches and even perfect bitches. This eye-opening deep-dive account takes us on a journey spanning a millennium, from its humble beginnings as a word for a female dog through to its myriad meanings today, proving that sometimes you can teach an old dog new tricks. It traces the colorful history and ever-changing meaning of this powerful and controversial word, and its relevance within broader issues of feminism, gender, race, and sexuality. Despite centuries of censorship and attempts to ban it, bitch has stood the test of time. You may wonder: is the word going away anytime soon? Bitch, please.

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9781009392365

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Reviews

'A single word can tell us a lot. Karen Stollznow's fascinating exploration of the word bitch provides valuable insights on social history, language, gender, race, politics and entertainment.' Paul Baker, Professor of Linguistics, Lancaster University 'Karen Stollznow provides a well-researched, scholarly, feminist, and often confronting discussion of the word bitch which has shape-shifted, chameleon-like, over many centuries. Drawing on an impressive array of sources from dictionaries and scholarly texts to social media, she analyses its use in many languages, contexts, and ethnic and social groups, as well as the issue of its attempted reclamation along with similar misogynist slurs.' Janet Holmes, Professor Emerita in Linguistics, Victoria University of Wellington 'A sparkling and sophisticated examination of one of my favorite vulgarities - and one of the English language's most fraught. I had been waiting for a detailed, book-length account of this word, whose long life is more colorful and fascinating than I even knew. Karen Stollznow was the perfect person to write it!' Amanda Montell, author of The Age of Magical Overthinking, Cultish, and Wordslut

Author Information

Karen Stollznow is a linguist and the author of On the Offensive (CUP, 2020), Missed Conceptions (2023), God Bless America (2013) and Language Myths, Mysteries, and Magic (2014). She writes for Psychology Today, Scientific American Mind, and The Conversation and has appeared on the History Channel's History's Greatest Mysteries and Netflix's The Unexplained. Karen is currently a researcher at Griffith University and a host of Monster Talk, an award-winning science-based podcast.

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