On the topic of "bastard," mentioned somewhere above, I was informed by an editor last week that I could not refer to anyone as "illegitimate" in a newspaper piece. I had to say "person born out of wedlock." I can imagine what would have transpired if I had said "bastard." What I need to do is come up with some relevant tie-in to the Norman Conquest so I can submit an article on "William the Bastard."

As for "bitches," I own two, and they don't seem to care what I call them, as long as a walk, a ride or a dog biscuit is involved. Sexism aside, I cannot think of any phrase that could possibly replace the deathless sentiment, "Life's a bitch, and then you die," or the verb "to bitch about."

Once upon a time, a "guy" was kind of a low-life, but for a long time it's been a good generic term for men. Am I alone in the opinion that it is being enlarged again into just "people," regardless of gender? Probably. I'm alone in a lot of things. ;)

Question for KimC--When you were called a lady, how far were you from your bread machine??

CC