This is yet another post on the reclamation post from earlbecke.
A chicken-and-egg discussion has developed–or devolved–in comments about whether the unisexing of “bitch” and the verb form of “bitch” indicate that its misogynist connotations are becoming diluted or not. I think not.
When used to describe a woman, “bitch” means that the woman is a nasty, shrewish, loudmouthed, uppity, coldhearted, grasping virago.
When used to describe a man–excluding its use within gay male circles–“bitch” usually means something completely different: an emasculated, penetrated, powerless little faggot. It has nothing to do with being overbearing or domineering; in fact, it implies that the target isn’t aggressive enough.
“Bitch” is an insult to men to the extent that it is connected with women, with effeminacy, with being the bottom, the bitch. When we apply it in unisex ways, we’re still using it as a gendered insult.
Nor is the verb form of “bitch” distinct in connotation from the noun. “Bitch” is just one on a long list of insults for women who won’t shut up. Shrew, virago, harpy, harridan, termagant, scold, fishwife, and on and on and on. When you “bitch,” you don’t just complain. You complain constantly about insignificant things. You nag. That’s what the verb and the noun have in common, and that’s why they’re still gendered.