One truth about Australia you may or may not find endearing is that we use reality television as not only a shared entertainment experience but also a means by which we discourse on issues of great philosophical importance, like whether it’s okay to call someone a “dog cunt” or not.
This was the central question of tonight’s episode of The Bachelor. The allegation was this: Monique, incensed by the fact that Matt kissed Abbie at a party, called him a “disrespectful pig” and – yes – a “dog cunt”. It was a whole thing.
Of course, the word ‘cunt’ contains a multitude of rich meanings in Australian English, but the modifier ‘dog’ certainly suggests a negative. Perhaps you disagree. I’m not here to debate sociolinguistics with you. I’m here to take the pulse of the nation on the “dog cunt” issue via a series of random but hopefully illuminating tweets.
Here’s where you all stood:
https://twitter.com/bethwoodvilles/status/1161596131828047873
ahahah devo imagine getting sent home over the chick who called him a dog cunt #TheBachelorAU
— Eleazar Brixey (@EleazarBrixey) August 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/bmj_br/status/1161593954925592576
I love that the biggest drama of this season is over the use of the term dog cunt. I LOVE IT! #TheBachelorAU pic.twitter.com/vwHl6gxa4p
— Polly Maeve (@PollyMaeve) August 14, 2019
Matt: she called me a dog cunt, but she’s hot so she can stay. #thebachelorau
— millhouse (@lightastrike) August 14, 2019
Australians don’t say ‘I love you’ they say ‘He’s a dog cunt’ and I think that’s really beautiful #TheBachelorAU
— blondie (clown era) (@woodsc0mmaelle) August 14, 2019
As an Australian, it’s hard to decide whether calling Matt a “dog cunt” is mean-spirited or if it’s just flirting #TheBachelorAU
— Jarryd Prain (@PastPrainFor) August 14, 2019
Australia has no cul-
“Dog cunt” #thebachelorau— Andy (@Skualg) August 14, 2019
I think we all know who has been calling Astro bachie a dog cunt #TheBachelorAU pic.twitter.com/97C2mM2VJw
— thrillh0 (@thrillh0_69) August 14, 2019
Take 1 shot for every bleeped “dog cunt”#TheBachelorAU
— Catelyn Jones (@CatelynJoneses) August 14, 2019
Maybe she meant it like “Matt’s a SICK dog cunt” Ya know like a term of endearment #TheBachelorAU pic.twitter.com/5CNlda728a
— Hanni (@hannifahakbari) August 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/cynicghoul/status/1161578604335026178
I understand you might be hitting ‘dog cunt fatigue’ as a result of reading the phrase ‘dog cunt’ over and over, but I need you to stay with me.
Bloke has a house full of models lusting after his Astro dong and he’s crying over getting called a dog cunt.
Give it a rest you malorkus #BachelorAU
— j time (@gmaxwellfan) August 14, 2019
Anyone calling anyone a ‘dog c*nt’ on national telly is an Australian hero the end #BachelorAu #SurvivorAU
— Danni (@danni_wanders) August 13, 2019
Aaaand…
https://twitter.com/parsfarce/status/1156796282171604992
OK that one isn’t at all related to The Bachelor, but I think you get the gist.