slut
UK[slʌt]US[slʌt]
n
A woman who has many casual sexual partners.
n
A woman who is untidy or dirty in her appearance or habits.
Etymology
The word 'slut' entered English in the late Middle English period, with its earliest recorded use around 1400. It is believed to be of Germanic origin, possibly related to dialectal words like 'slut' meaning 'mud' or 'slattern', which itself connects to concepts of wetness, muddiness, and slovenliness. The original core meaning was "a slovenly, untidy, or dirty woman," focusing on domestic negligence. Over centuries, the term's semantic field expanded and intensified, acquiring a strong pejorative sense related to perceived sexual promiscuity, a shift that reflects societal attitudes conflating female untidiness with moral laxity.
Analysis
This word is a simplex form. It is of Germanic origin, likely from Middle English 'slutte', with a core sense related to slovenliness.
Examples
The play's antagonist cruelly labeled the independent woman a slut.
He called his roommate a slut for leaving dirty dishes piled in the sink for a week.
The term is often used as a sexist slur to shame women for their sexuality.