Is "fat" a four letter word?

Carbsmakefat

Obviously it's three, but I would like to hear opinions as to when or how it's appropriate to use and is it really hurtful or just a description?

Carbsmakefat

Please don't misunderstand, I go to great lengths to avoid using this word but I call myself fat constantly. I just wanted some insight.

lcbaby16

A little bit of both I think. It is hurtful, but also a description; however, there are many words we could use they may not have such a "sting" to them.. like voluptuous my favorite!

sunglasses_and_ocean_waves

It's become one of those un-PC things to say, right or wrong.

LetsTryThisAgain54

If a person is fat, they're fat. I've called myself fat and other people fat. I don't care about things being politically correct. The PC crap is too much these days.

sijomial

I was fat and now I'm not. To me it's descriptive.

It can be used in an abusive way. A bit like "*kitten*" can be descriptive or abusive.

ETA
Unbelievable that MFP censors the word for a child born out of wedlock (to use an archaic description)!!
Just shows how language evolves and changes I suppose....

lewispwest

You can use it to talk about yourself but it's not on to say it to others imo. "Overweight" is less hurtful I'd say.

zyxst

Depends on the people and context. My close friends and hubby saying it to me is one thing, but strangers saying it is another, sort of like the C-word (rhymes with bundt) in Britain and Australia.

sunglasses_and_ocean_waves

zyxst wrote: »

Depends on the people and context. My close friends and hubby saying it to me is one thing, but strangers saying it is another, sort of like the C-word (rhymes with bundt) in Britain and Australia.

did you really think you needed to spell that one out?? lolol

I'm not a fan of telling people what they can and cannot say. If someone uses the word fat to describe another person, you get to decide if you want to hang out with someone who talks that way. If it doesn't matter to you, it doesn't matter.

We need to stop policing words.

Unknown

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Hardenton

Only fat people think fat is offensive. Ask the people in AFrica if they have a problem with "fat"

Sinistrous

lewispwest wrote: »

You can use it to talk about yourself but it's not on to say it to others imo. "Overweight" is less hurtful I'd say.

Nahh, they'll still go into the "YOU THINK I'M FAT?!!?" thing and henceforth.. Argument lol.

It's a 4 letter word when the person sits on a hammock and it snaps.

MarziPanda95

When talking about other people, I use 'overweight'. I use fat only when I'm talking about myself, though I would be hurt if someone else called me fat vs someone else saying 'you're still overweight'.

Alluminati

I still don't get the title of OP, or the explanation. Like alluding to fat being a bad word?

zyxst

sunglasses_and_ocean_waves wrote: »

zyxst wrote: »

Depends on the people and context. My close friends and hubby saying it to me is one thing, but strangers saying it is another, sort of like the C-word (rhymes with bundt) in Britain and Australia.

did you really think you needed to spell that one out?? lolol

I'm not a fan of telling people what they can and cannot say. If someone uses the word fat to describe another person, you get to decide if you want to hang out with someone who talks that way. If it doesn't matter to you, it doesn't matter.

We need to stop policing words.

Yes, I feel I did need to spell it out. When someone talks to me about the C-word, my first thought are 1. cancer 2. the tv show 3. slang for vagina. I try to be clear what I mean when I'm posting on here.