February 2nd 2010

Seen on Twitter: What's "a Slut"?

To accompany our "Slut: The Worst 4-Letter Word?" podcast, we searched "a slut" in our twitter feed to see how people are using the word. As Jessica pointed out in the poll "Do you use the word 'slut'?" urbandictionary.com has 255 definitions for it (actually, a week later as I'm writing this the number appears to have increased to 259). Based on a brief skim of the many (MANY) tweets that include the term--excluding all mention of Miley Cyrus, I might add--here is my short list, in no particular order, of what "slut" means to twitter-users.

1. Someone who exchanges knowing looks with strangers. @jarlady Exchanged so many knowing looks with strangers today that I fear I may be a spy with amnesia. Or better yet, a slut.

2. Someone who talks to multiple girls. @GhiTZ247 its funny this oone girl calls me a slut cuz i talked to all the girls..but i was like oh their my friends ahaha then on to the next 1

3. Someone (female) who has indiscriminate group sex with everyone she sees. @Weaping_Willows A slut is someone who goes around gang banging ever dude she sees! Im talking about one guy i sleep with

4. Someone (or an entire nation) who behaves provocatively. @emma_todd Aha "Britain believed the Czechs were guilty of provocative behaviour." So czechoslovakia was a slut!

5. Someone who thinks favorably of sex. @HillyHuddy (In response to @tvandmusicfan) right. and I'm a slut cause I approve of sex? interesting 

6. Someone (or something) who will bond with anything. @fazana_JLS my teacher told me Oxygen is a "slut" hahah lmao funy ways of describing chemical reactions lmao

7. Someone (female) who is 'sexually autonymous' and rejects 'loyalty' to African sellout mofos (YEAH!) @KolaBoof (in response to @Drea141) Any woman who is "sexually autonymous" and rejects "loyalty" to African sellout mofos....is a SLUT.  

8. Someone who defends Justin Bieber (?) @Miss_Bieber_123 I JUST GOT CALLED A SLUT FOR STICKING UP 4 @JUSTINBIEBER :O

9. Someone who claims a snuggie. @soapyeyes cat has claimed the snuggie. What a slut. Now it's gonna be full of cat hair.... I should really go outside once in a while.

10. Someone who has a different girl every day of the week. @AurieSafari He's a slut he's a hoe he's a freak. Got a different girl everyday of the week.

11. Someone who will cheat on her boyfriend for "people." @fadedrainbows Why do people think I will cheat on my boyfriend for them? Come on guys, I like sex but I'm not a slut.

12. Someone (or something) who doesn't cooperate. @desyc my DVD is acting like a slut! I can't watch any movie..TV sucks! no book to read anymore..I can't sleep. guess tomorrow I'll speak like SBY!

Sooo...which definition is your favorite? Other suggestions?