After reading Graham’s candid open letter to Air Canada yesterday and some of the language he used…mainly his use of the word ‘cunt’ (a dirty and wrong word that is awfully satisfying to say). It’s better than prick, twat, tosser, dickhead or pooface. It just ticks all the boxes and rightfully is saved for occasions where no other word will do.
Anyway, last night I was invited around to my brother’s house and we watched Glengarry Glen Ross. It’s a good film, made in 1992. I enjoyed it. About an hour in Al Pacino goes on a fine tirade and drops the C word, and like Graham’s usage, it felt justified. Anyway, it got me thinking. This film is from 1992 and I guess was filmed in 1991 – this leads me to my question – is this the earliest record of the word ‘cunt’?
I’m serious. I didn’t learn the word until I guess I was about 15 or 16. A full 4 years after this film was realised.
Does anyone know of an earlier record of the C word? I’m totally serious. Answers on a postcard.
Can’t afford a postcard but can tell you that the earliest citation of this usage, circa 1230, is in the Oxford English Dictionary, referring to the London street known as “Gropecunt Lane”.
And that’s from Wikipedia so it must be true. A fascinating read, although by the end the word has lost all meaning.
Robin