Hi everyone,
I believe that words matter, and as sex workers it is up to us to decide which words we find derogatory or offensive.
Does anyone else find the word "prostitute" offensive??
Or is it just me?
If you look in the dictionary at offensive racial words such as the "N word", / "P word", then their definitions are labelled with a warning sign: "Offensive", and a description- "An offensive term to describe a Black/ Asian person."
Similarly, if you look at popular misogynistic words such as "slut", "whore", or "slag" then they are labelled with a warning sign as "derogatory".
Anyway, "Prostitute " is not labelled with such a warning. In fact, "Prostitute " is the DEFAULT word used by the OED (Oxford English Dictionary), to describe a sex worker!!
I.E- Evey euphemism such as "escort", "lady of the night", "call girl",-
Their official definitions all lead back to:- "a prostitute ".
I think we should choose an alternative official definition, if pthers, like me, find the "P" word derogatory.
I reckon "sex worker" should be the standard word.
Or, perhaps "Escort," or I'd even prefer "hooker."
I also believe that "prostitute " needs to be labelled in the OED as "offensive " or "derogatory ".
Who here is with me on this?