Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language

(Paperback)

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A brash, enlightening and wildly entertaining feminist look at gendered language that shows how to verbally smash the patriarchy. A brash, enlightening and wildly entertaining feminist look at gendered language and the way it shapes us. English is scattered with perfectly innocuous words that have devolved into insults hurled at women. The word "bitch" originally meant male or female genitalia. "Hussy" was simply a housewife, and "slut" was an untidy man or woman. Feminist linguist Amanda Montell explains why words matter and why it's imperative that women embrace their unique relationship with language. Drawing on fascinating research, and moving between history and pop culture, Montell deconstructs language - from insults and cursing to grammar and pronunciation - to expose the ways it has been used for centuries to gaslight women. Montell's irresistible intelligence and humour make linguistics not only approachable but downright enthralling. Wordslut gets to the heart of our language, sheds light on the biases that shadow women in our culture and shows how to embrace language to verbally smash the patriarchy. "I get so jazzed about the future of feminism knowing that Montell's brilliance is rising up and about to explode worldwide." -JILL SOLOWAY

Author Bio

Amanda Montell is an LA-based writer and the features editor at WhoWhatWear. She has a degree in linguistics and creative writing from New York University, and her work has appeared widely, including in Marie Claire, Cosmpolitan, The Rumpus and Byrdie.com.