What is a “Slut”?

Etymology lesson: The word "slut" is likely derived from the archaic German Schlutt meaning "slovenly woman. Slovenly has that same “slo” sound, means carelessly dirty — not dirty in the sexual sense, just in the untidy sense.

Schlutt, slovenly, and slut all have that "slu" sound — similar to the following ooey-gooey, drippy mushy words: slug, slush, slurp, sludge, slop. The word "slut" also has the same initial sound as messy words like slob and slum. Perhaps, our current use of the word "slut" is related to the idea of a WAP — a moist, sexually receptive vagina. 

In the 1300, the Canterbury Tales used “slut” to refer to a disheveled man. In the 1400s, some written works used the word “slut” for kitchen maids. And through to the 1700s, “slut” meant a LOT of different things, from a female dog to a candle made out of a rag dipped in lard. Mainly during that period, it was the female version of the word “scamp." Where a scamp is a mischievous boy, a slut was a girl who’s messy or a woman who doesn’t keep her house tidy — and doesn’t care. By the 1900s, the current meaning was cemented: a lowly, immoral woman who has too much sex — the kind of woman who just "gives it away" without any respect for herself; a woman who deserves to be judged and feel shame.

As a SensitiveSlut, Miriam Diana says: screw that! 

Why people should be sensitive about the word "slut" Using the word "slut" as an epithet is one of patriarchy's worst language-based weapons against women and girls.  Sex should not be something shameful — we all come from sex. And the bodies of people who have vaginas should not be shamed — every one of us came from a body with a uterus, likely a woman's body.  The concept of a "slut" is filled with hypocrisy, and is worthy of sacred rage. Women are expected to seem sexually receptive, but not to actually accept sex unless it is under the few situations proscribed by even more powerful men in society (such as religious leaders). 

Reclaiming the word "slut" The SlutWalk is a global movement calling for an end to rape culture, slut shaming, and blaming sexual assault survivors. The rallies started in 2011 in Canada after a Toronto cop said "women should avoid dressing like sluts" to avoid rape. Women of color, particularly Black women, can have a different relationship with the word "slut" and the ability to go on SlutWalk marches than white women. One way this difference shows up: white women can enjoy more safety on a SlutWalk than women of color. Reclaiming the word "slut" is complicated.

When Miriam Diana uses the word "slut," she is taking the power out of the word and feeling her inherent self-respect.  Feeling into your sacred rage AND your pleasure.

At the end of the episode, Miriam Diana leads you in a Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). This exercise releases tension and connects you to feeling good in your body.