In recent years, feminist artists have begun to reinterpret the formerly offensive German word "Fotze" [ˈfɔtsə], which translates to "cunt," and use it as a symbol of self-empowerment. This trend is evident in various artistic expressions and public discussions.
Dr. Oksana Havryliv, a linguist at the University of Vienna, has been researching the use of swear words and their social impact for years. She explains that the appropriation of such terms by women is a way to break free from the previous negative connotation and regain power over language.
An example of this development is the rapper Ikkimel, who released her album titled "Fotze" in 2025. In an interview, she emphasized that the use of this term in her work is an act of self-empowerment and helps to transform the negative associations connected with it.
This movement is not limited to the music scene. In 2023, the Hamburger Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe opened the exhibition "The F*Word," which deals with the representation of women in art and includes the term "Fotze" as part of the feminist discussion.
Despite this positive appropriation, there are also critical voices. Some argue that the use of such swear words by women does not really change the existing social hierarchy and merely internalizes the power of the original insult.
Overall, the engagement with the F-word is a complex issue that offers both opportunities for self-empowerment and challenges in terms of social norms and power structures.