Posted on 06/15/2004 10:11:04 AM PDT by rface
In a sworn statement to be made public Tuesday, University of Colorado President Elizabeth Hoffman said a four-letter word used toward women can sometimes be used as a "term of endearment."
The comment comes from Hoffman's latest sworn testimony in connection with a federal lawsuit against the university.
The suit was filed by women who say they were sexually assaulted by CU football players and recruits.
A lawyer for one of the women asked Hoffman about former CU kicker Katie Hnida being called the "c- word" by a teammate.
That player was later disciplined by coach Gary Barnett for making the remark.
In the deposition, Hoffman was asked whether the "c-word" is "filthy and vile."
She said she knows the word is a swear word, but "It is all in the context of what--of how it is used and when it is used."
She was asked, "Can you indicate any polite context in which that word would be used?"
Hoffman answered, "Yes, I've actually heard it used as a term of endearment."
A CU spokeswoman said President Hoffman is aware of the negative connotations associated with the word.
But, the spokesperson said, because Hoffman is a medieval scholar, she is aware of the long history of the word. She said it was not always a negative term.
Additionally, some CU critics are scheduled to meet with Gov. Bill Owens Tuesday, to talk about how the university is handling the football recruiting scandal.
In Chaucer the Wife of Bath spelled it "queynt" - "you shall have queynt enough before the night is through" and Shakespeare in Henry V has Katherine punning that English ladies call their dresses "cons" (a mispronunciation of "gowns"). So a medieval scholar might not be offended, but the rest of us damn sure are!
Reminds me of that old Spanish sounding drink toast used only around non Spanish speakers...as you lift your glass and toast..Si You N Te....
The whole problem depends on the context in which it was used, such as oh you have a pretty "C" or a very non-endearing...you are a "C",just a life support system for a "P"...my guess is it was not meant as a term of endearment...my dictionary doesn't have the ancient definition...
Maybe among lesbians, but I can't think of anyone else who'd use it in that way.
There is nothing delusional at all about this - we are talking about Division I college football. That's the way things are when dealing with it - there is too much money and pressure for those involved in it, defending it, whatever.
Four simple points:
1. The c-word in question is absolutely offensive. I have never used it, nor will I ever use it. People who use such obscenities only degrade themselves.
2. This Hoffman person is a liar and an idiot. She obviously attended the "Bill Clinton School of Testimony."
3. It's a shame that our nation is regressing towards barbarianism. And this potty-mouthed behavior coming from college students who are supposed to be seeking academic and cultural enlightenment? What a sad indictment on our society.
4. Despite the fact that use of the c-word is foul and tasteless, I find it absurd that the use of this word--or of any words--can be the basis of a lawsuit. Grow some skin people! We are facing terrorists who strap explosives onto children, yet we can't even bear to hear the utterance of a four-letter word?
So after all these years it turns out I've been saying NICE things about Hillary, Dowd, Pelosi, et al???
LOL! I used to work with a skank whose first name is Cara and middle name is Mia -- and the drug-addled twit would certainly fit the definition of the c-word in question here!
About 23 years ago, I was at Belmont Racetrack with my mom and some of her friends -- and in one of the later races was a horse named Cunning Stunt.
I actually blurted out that word in front of my father, while we were watching her roll her eyes and act like an ass during Bush's post-9/11 address to Congress. Since then, I refer to as a creepy unctuous nitwitted toad.
Some animals are more equal than others.
______________________________________________________
It took me a while to get that this was a classic nod to Orwell's "Animal Farm." I may be slow but I appreciate the response. It is exactly right.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.