How come kids of unwed parents are called the "b" word? Shouldnt the parents be called this instead?

Answer 1

Bastard simply means someone who's parents weren't married when he/she was born. It is considered offensive because so much emphasis is placed on marriage in our society.

Answer 2

In medieval times the term B- was used to clarify a person's lineage, as this was very important to the upper classes, for purposes of inheritance and social position. I don't know that it was an issue with the lower classes. But if, for instance, a king had a "legitimate" son and a "b-" son, the legitimate would have priority to become the next king. It was not really a bad word; important personages had appellations such as William the B- or the B- of Orleans, and this was perfectly polite.
In modern times, though, I agree that the parents should bear the burden of illegitimacy, not the child.

Answer 3

The "B" word is a description, not an epithet. There's nothing wrong with saying bastard, any more than saying bigot. The problem is that certain words have been used as a negative for so long that they come to be identified as disparaging. Like "gay" or "queer".

Answer 4

if this is related to your last question, the word used in hebrew scriptures is "mamzer" and a child born out of wedlock does not fall into the category of mamzer. so, biblically, a child of unwed parents is not a "b word."

Answer 5

If you look the word "bastard" up in the dictionary it says "A child born out of wedlock"

Answer 6

I prefer to think the "b" word means "blessed."

Answer 7

ROFLMAO
what adulterer is not a bad word?