BITCH

Merriam-Webster

Why you acting like a Bitch?

Etymology: Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce

Date: before 12th century

Bitch

1: the female of the dog or some other carnivorous mammals

2: a lewd or immoral woman b: a malicious, spiteful, or domineering woman -- sometimes used as a generalized term of abuse

3: something that is highly objectionable or unpleasant

The American Heritage College Dictionary

Bitch (bich) n. 1. A female canine animal, esp. a dog. 2. Offensive. a. A woman considered to be spiteful or overbearing. B. A woman considered to be lewd. 3. Slang. A complaint. 4. Slang. Something very unpleasant or difficult. Bitched, bitching, bitches. To complain; grumble

Related Words

Bitchy (bich’e) adj. Slang. Malicious, spiteful, or overbearing.

Bitchery (bich’e-re) n. Mean remarks or spiteful behavior.

In the Hip Hop culture "bitch" is used as a word that defines an independent woman. During the late eighties and early nineties was represented with a negative connotation. The word cause a lot of controversy, many women felt it was insulting and disrespecting. An artist known as Queen Latifah, wrote a song expressing her anger with the use of the word. The song was called "UNITY." Latifah who was known for her female empowering lyrics describe when she felt the word was acceptable and when it was not.

One verse:

Instinct leads me to another flow,

Every time I hear a brother call a girl a bitch or a ho,

Trying to make a sister feel low,

You know all of that gots to go,

Now every body knows there’s exceptions to this rule,

Now don’t be getting mad, when we playing, it’s cool

But don’t you be calling out my name

I bring wrath to those who disrespect me like a dame.

In the late nineties "Bitch" became somewhat respectful. Many women began taking control of their futures, becoming independent. Women were bitches because they were making their own money, without help from any man. If you were called a ‘bitch" you knew you were handling your business. Missy ‘Missdemeanor’ Elliot is also an artist in the Hip Hop culture. Her views are somewhat different from Queen Latifah’s, she feels women should accept being called a bitch. Successful woman is called a "bitch" some point in her career. In her song titled "She’s A Bitch" she states;

She is a bitch,

When you say my name,

Talk mo’ junk but won’t look my way,

She’s a bitch,

See I got more cheese,

So back on up while I roll up my sleeves,

She’s a bitch,

You can’t see me, Joe,

Get on down while I shoot my flow,

She’s a bitch,

When I do my thing,

Got the place on fire, burn it down to flame.