Do you use the adjectives "cis" and "trans"?

[Anonymous]

I was talking to another user on here, and he was very offended that I used those adjectives. He was also offended when I did not use those adjectives.

It made me think about why I use them, and whether I really need to after all.

I've decided that I don't really need to, so I just won't anymore. The title of this question will have been the last time.

And to that user: thank you for prompting me to take the time to examine my language and adjust it to be more inclusive in a small way. 🙂

Updates

12 d

For those saying you use one and not the other, you know that's nonsense right? You may not physically use it, but by using one you always imply the other. That's how alternate adjectives work, like positive/negative or on/off. If you want to not use one of them for real, you would have to either not use either one (like I am) or replace it with a different word (even if it's a totally unrelated word, like "heterosexual" or "normal"). Otherwise you're just pretending, and that's silly.

[BCRanger10]

I don't use either word. If I'm referring to someone who's had a sex change, I say what they objectively are: A man who thinks he's a woman or a woman who thinks she's a man.

As for "cis-"? I don't accept that label at all. The fact that we now have to have a special term for what ten years ago was just a "man" or a "woman" is absurd. Just because some poor lost souls are confused about who and what they are does not mean that I need, let alone even want a special designation. I am a man. I love being a man and I'm at total peace with my masculine identity. DO NOT try to take that away from me my calling me a "cis-man". I see that as an insult.

Call me a bigoted conspiracy theorist all you want, but I truly think that because of this that there is a long-term goal to retcon all of human history and human existence through the scope of LGBT ideology.

Plus, do some research on Volkmar Sigusch, who coined the term "cis-". To call this guy a Satanic degenerate crackpot psychopath is about the nicest and most charitable thing that can be said of him.

And on that note (further conspiracy theories? Fine, don't care), Catholic exorcists will tell you that demons often appear as androgynous. The reason for this is as a mockery of and an expression of their unfathomable hatred of mankind, who was created male and female in the image and likeness of God. What's the connection? The term "cis-", defenders will say, simply means that one corresponds to the sex they were "assigned at birth". That our respective identity is "assigned at birth" (so they say) is in its own way a rejection of the image and likeness in which each of us were made and is therefore a demonic turn of phrase. Sex and gender are not "assigned at birth". They are established at conception.

I should stop ranting about this and just write the MyTake that I've toyed around with. If I do, it will probably be posted in June.

[Lliam]

I am offended by the "cis" prefix. Only trans-sexuals and trans-genders need a prefix. They are the ones who invented "cis" in order to put themselves on a level playing field with non-mind fucked human beings. And they use "cis" as a pejorative.

I use the terms "trans-woman" and "trans-man" because it would be nonsensical to drop the "trans" prefix. A "trans-woman" is not a woman and a "trans-man" is not a man. They need to be set distinguished and not allowed to be accepted as genuine biological men and women. They are counterfeits.

[Asker]

Why would anyone use a normal adjective as a pejorative? I could understand if it was something insulting like "mind-fucked" or "counterfeit," but an adjective that applies to the vast majority of all the human race... how in the world would that be an insult?

[OlderAndWiser]

@Asker The fact that you don't understand does not mean that the other person is wrong. It only means that you don't understand, and. . . I would presume that you don't want to understand.

[Asker]

@OlderAndWiser I'm seriously trying to understand. Is it like when "edgy" alt kids call you a "normie" like making fun of people for not being part of an alt community? Because i thought only teenagers did or cared about that sort of "insult."

[OlderAndWiser]

I judge a pejorative expression by the intent in delivering it and not the degree of offense experienced by the recipient.

[Asker]

@OlderAndWiser but you don't think everyone should adjust their language to accommodate for a few teenagers who are trying to "trigger snowflakes" do you? Usually something has to be used as an insult by people in general, or at least people with influence, before the word itself is considered negative even without context. Most people use normal words normally, so I think it's reasonable to consider those words not insults, even if a few annoying kids try to use them as insilts.

[OlderAndWiser]

That is why I consider the intent of the person making the statement.

[Asker]

@OlderAndWiser so then you agree that most people don't use normal words as insults, and so they are not insults most of the time?

[OlderAndWiser]

Of course.

[Anonymous]

I don’t use cis. I just use man and woman because like 99 percent of the population isn’t trans. I feel it’s unnecessary.

I do use trans because they are different to the majority. Trans men are female and trans women are male.

Most people think of an adult female when they hear woman. Trans women are male.

Most people think of an adult male when they hear the word man. Trans men are female.

[Asker]

Most people think of men the same race and nationality of themself when they hear "men," but that doesn't mean other men aren't men too (and same with women). People always think of those kinds of people they interact with most first, that's familiarity, its normal. It doesn't mean minorities are some totally separate category, only to be discussed with exclusive very specific language. They just aren't as familiar to you personally, that's all. They're still people like you.

[EmmaMary]

The so called words "Cis & Trans" do not exist in my vocabulary.

[EmmaMary]

Thank you for the MHO.

[OlderAndWiser]

The agenda of those who use cis- is to subtly suggest that that heterosexuality should never be assumed, and that transgender is just a normal variant of sexuality, instead of being a mental illness.

[Asker]

You may be confused, because heterosexuality is a sexuality, not a gender. Anyone can be heterosexual, regardless of their gender.

[OlderAndWiser]

I did not drink the KoolAid.

[Asker]

Good for you? Sexuality and gender still aren't the same thing.

[OlderAndWiser]

I will not be drawn into that argument today.

[Asker]

It's not an argument. I really think you just got the vocabulary mixed up a little bit. You may want to look up what "sexuality" means (and has always meant).

[Fireguy17]

nope, I never have.
I have a life and worrying about what someone thinks about am I calling someone the proper adjective is not in my day planner.
I will be just fine if you wet yourself because I didn't use the "right" terminology.

[Asker]

Exactly.

[Soteris]

I use them because they are the words we have come to agree upon that describes something very specific. For example, we dont really have a word for cis besides cis. If I stopped using it then I would have to put in the definition of the word rather than the word anytime I would want to use it which is just stupid.

[strateguy632]

i am a weirdo fanatic so i mock "cis hair color" and cis beef. and unlive chicken.

i mock assigned like "this steak was assigned a cow at birth."

i call someone assigned female but changed: a "new man" but nobody understands.

[Dargil]

I drank water out of a cistern and it gave me cists
I had an oral sex transaction with a hooker. It was transcendent.

[MisterWack]

Yes I do.

Cis is physical & what you identify as from the day you were born.
Trans is hormonal or surgical or just mentally how they identify from the day they were born however might struggle with coming out.

[PBandJ_Nerd]

Yeah. I use both of them. It's not an issue for me.

[Simslover92]

Cis is a fuck no for me. I hate that word with a passion.

[Asker]

Understandable. I hate the word "moist"

[Simslover92]

Yeah me too!

[Pohjolan]

Sure.

[Massageman]

Only when speaking about a cistern or a train transformer.

[Agent_Elflord]

Only if I'm in a queer space or talking with my queer friends. The rest of the time not really.

[AngryCarl]

I use the term "trans" when it's appropriate. I don't use the term "cis" except in response to this question. If I talk about men and women you can assume that they are, indeed, "cis".

[FunkyMonkee]

Trans, sometimes. Cis, no. I have no idea what it it means.

[Asker]

They're just opposites. One just means not the other, like on/off or positive/negative.

[FunkyMonkee]

I know what cis means, I just don't get how it means what it means. What is "cis" short for?

[Asker]

They both modify the noun "gender," they're both shortened in the same way. It's very simple...

[FunkyMonkee]

Okay so, what does cis mean?

[FunkyMonkee]

Is it short for, "cissy"?

[Asker]

Use your brain. If you know what one is short for, you know what both are short for. They are the same thing just opposite.

[FunkyMonkee]

I DO use my brain, that's why I'm asking! What is "cis" short for? Where does it come from? How did it come about?

[Asker]

Holy shit fine. Trans-gender. Cis-gender. They come from the Latin prefixes trans and cis, which mean "on the opposite side of" and "on the same side of," respectively. When put together with the word gender they mean "the opposite gender (than assigned at birth)" and "the same gender (as assigned at birth)." You happy now?

[Asker]

Actually that's probably a good point. Using the words AT ALL isn't the same as using them to refer to actual people, so I guess I could still use them in terms of vocabulary and history discussions. Just not to label people with. Thanks for insisting I explain so I realize that.

[FunkyMonkee]

No problem. (That'll be $10.00.)

[Asker]

So you understand now what both the words mean?

[FunkyMonkee]

I've known what trans is for a good 50-some years. Christine Jorgansen and Wendy Carlos were almost the first two back in the early `70's.
I understand what "cis" is supposed to mean. I just don't get why we've suddenly decided to start using that instead of something else. like, normal or natural, in mint condition, unfettered, or even some other made-up 3 or 4-letter "word" like, grf or, tnq. How about, zxs or bvn?
"Are you trans or bvn?" That's just as good as "cis'. Much less confusion about it, too. Can't possibly be mistaken for a shortened form of any other word.

[Asker]

It's because of the Latin. Those words have always been opposites, it wouldn't really make sense to have a different word be the opposite now all of a sudden. Both cis and trans are parts of many other words, but since trans was chosen to represent one group of people it is only natural that cis is the default word to represent the other group of people. You can replace it with any different word you like, that doesn't change that it only means the opposite of trans.

[FunkyMonkee]

So, if I say I'm going to transport something to you and then, I change my mind and decide NOT to transport it to you, I can tell you that I'm going to cisport it?
The opposite of, "transition" is, "cisition"?
Translate: change it from your language to mine. Cislate: leave it as your language.
Transfusion: change your blood for mine. Cisfusion: leave my blood where it is.

[Asker]

Technically, yes, cis port would mean the opposite (to stay at the same port, instead of moving to a different port). And all the rest, the same. That is how prefixes work congrats. People usually use different words to say the same thing though, like "I've canceled the transport" or something else. Just like you can use different words to say the same thing about gender. When you just take a word out and don't replace it with something different, that's when the most likely word would be implied [ie "how are you?" "(I'm doing) good."] This is how language works.

[FunkyMonkee]

But, in some cases, the "most likely word" doesn't even need to be there.
"How are you [doing]?"
"[I'm] awful. And [how are] you?"

[Asker]

Yeah... that's what "implied" means. It doesn't need to actually be there, because it's understood to be there.

[tierrlamé]

I use trans because its not really a woman/man. Like there's a difference from a transwoman and a woman. But I respect both. I would never use cis though.

[ProbablyClueless]

I don't use "cis" but I do use "trans."

[gorydetails]

Nope. I use “normal” and “mentally ill”

[Asker]

I feel like that would make people think you're talking about people with mental disorders or neurotypical people, but if it works for you then I guess it works for you.

[gorydetails]

“Trans” people have mental disorders.

[Asker]

If that's what you need to tell yourself.

[gorydetails]

I don't need to "tell myself" anything. It's a fact.

[Asker]

If you say so.

[gorydetails]

Every rational person says so.

[Asker]

Sure

[Twalli]

Not really, if someone is trans, I may mention that they used to be...

[Asker]

Uh that's usually a lifelong thing actually, it doesn't really go away..

[Twalli]

If you get a sex change, you change your gender.

[Asker]

Sure, but you don't "used to be" someone who changed your gender. That's kind of a present tense thing.

[Twalli]

Caitlyn Jenner used to be a guy
Elliot Page used to be a girl

[Asker]

Ohhh I see what you did. Next time please just fill in the last part of your sentence instead of using an ellipsis. I thought you meant it to represent the tone of the sentence, not to represent an implied/missing phrase at the end of the sentence.

[Twalli]

I did that because it could either be
"used to be a man/guy"
or
"used to be a woman/girl"

[Asker]

You could have said "that they used to be the other gender" or "what gender they used to be" or something, I don't know. Elipses at the end of what could have been a complete sentence just confused me that's all.

[Twalli]

Okay, I usually do that when I intend to leave it open or the ending is gender specific, and it applies to both.

[DextroShade]

I would never unironically use the term "cis".

[Asker]

Ooh, how do you use it ironically?

[OtterMan68]

I don't use cis. I just say straight

[Asker]

Wouldn't that make people think you're talking about sexuality though?

[OtterMan68]

trans is not straight

[Asker]

You think a man who only likes women isn't straight? Or do you think a man who only likes men isn't straight? Because there's all sorts of men in both of those categories, and vice versa for women. Sexuality is very clearly distinct from gender.

[OtterMan68]

a trans man is a woman living as a man who likes women

[Asker]

An individual may fit that description, but that is blatantly false as a blanket statement. There's all sorts of men who like women, and all sorts of men who like men.

[KrakenAttackin]

Or "Trancis", which is a good name for the love child of two idiot woke Zoomers.