Is the term "bastard", gender specific?

[mayapuppies]

If so, what would you call the female equivalent?:confused:

[tkdguy]

I think it's technically gender-neutral, although it's rare to see it used to describe females. That's probably because when used as an insult, the word is used on males. You probably already know the female equivalent in the latter case. ;)

Edit: Here's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastard_%28Law_of_England_and_Wales%29) an interesting article on the matter.

[AmadanNaBriona]

If so, what would you call the female equivalent?:confused:

Hmmm..... Interesting question.

Right off the top of my head I'd say there probably isn't a specific female counterpart term, because the term originates with patrilineal inheritance and women thus couldn't inherit, so legitimacy isn't an issue, really. Whereas in a matrilineal system, there is NO doubt who the mother of a daughter is, thus no need for tracking "legitimacy".

I could be wrong tho ;)

[Fitz]

Elizabeth the First was referred to on several occasions by the Spanish and others as a "bastard heretic", and her right to inherit the throne was questioned because of her bastardy (under Catholic law, her mother being Henry VIII's second wife after divorcing Catherine of Aragon) rather than her sex.

The word is gender-neutral in English. I don't know about others, being pretty linguistically ignorant myself.

[Comic]

Dose fargin bastiches. Dose iceholes.

[Killer Shrike]

You could always just use the very unambiguous term "illegitimate" and avoid any confusion.

[tkdguy]

Oh, the temptation of making a joke about wielding an illegitimate sword! Good thing I was able to resist it. Or was I? :hush:

[Shakram]

Dose fargin bastiches. Dose iceholes.
BWHAHAHA
Let me guess Johnny Dangerously?


How about for women a three word combo TEST TUBE BABY!

[mayapuppies]

Thanks everyone. I had planned on using it in a bit of story were it was a derogatory statement towards a woman who stands to inherit a small village. The society is not historically accurate but very equal in how they handle gender.

The real issue is that her father is known, an unmarried knight who is the current mayor of the town, but her mother is a local trollop. So technically she isn't a "bastard" but is rather (as KS stated) illegitimate. But the original term is just so much more effective when doing the insult.

[Maur]

Thanks everyone. I had planned on using it in a bit of story were it was a derogatory statement towards a woman who stands to inherit a small village. The society is not historically accurate but very equal in how they handle gender.

The real issue is that her father is known, an unmarried knight who is the current mayor of the town, but her mother is a local trollop. So technically she isn't a "bastard" but is rather (as KS stated) illegitimate. But the original term is just so much more effective when doing the insult.

A bastard is an illegitimate child. Doesn't matter if both or neither or only one parent is known. If they aren't married, then it is a bastard.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bastard

[mayapuppies]

So it's not gender specific and does fit what I want it to.

Thanks again for your help folks.

[Blue Jogger]

A female steward is called a stewardess, a female actor is called actress, therefore, logically, a female bastard would be called a bastardess.


Just being silly, don't mind me.

[AmadanNaBriona]

A female steward is called a stewardess, a female actor is called actress, therefore, logically, a female bastard would be called a bastardess.


Just being silly, don't mind me.

Damn..."You must spread..." Rep rules.

That got a sudden laugh outta me.

[mayapuppies]

LOL

I got him for ya.