Sluts

Slut (archaic: slattern) is an English-language term for a person, usually a woman or girl, who is sexually promiscuous or considered to have loose sexual morals. It is usually used as an insult, sexual slur or offensive term of disparagement. It originally meant "a dirty, slovenly woman", and is rarely used to refer to men, generally requiring clarification by use of the terms male slut or man whore. The word was used as early as the 1300s (in the form of an adjective, sluttish, referring to a untidy appearance) by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. From the late 20th century, there have been attempts to reclaim the word, exemplified by various SlutWalk parades, and some individuals embrace the title as a source of pride. Etymology, common usages and synonyms The common denotative meanings of slut are 'sexually promiscuous woman', or 'immoral or dissolute woman; prostitute'. These definitions identify a slut as a woman of low character—a person who lacks the ability or chooses not to exercise a power of discernment to order her affairs. Similar terms used for men are cad, rake, male slut, man whore, himbo, womanizer, stud, and player. The adjective slutty carries a similar connotation, but can be applied both to people and to clothing and accessories, such as Halloween costumes. Although the ultimate origin of the word slut is unknown, it first appeared in Middle English in 1402 as (AHD), with the meaning of 'dirty, untidy, or slovenly woman'. Even earlier, Geoffrey Chaucer used the word sluttish to describe a slovenly man; however, later uses appear almost exclusively associated with women. The modern sense of 'sexually promiscuous woman' dates to at least 1450. The word was originally used around 1450 in the late Middle English language. It was used to describe a woman as dirty, or refer to her as a prostitute, harlot, or immoral woman. The word slut also took a similar form around the same era in the Norwegian language as 'sleet', also known as an impure liquor.