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"Slut" can have two meanings:

  • an immoral woman, or prostitute
  • a dirty and slovenly woman

I would like a term for men that is the equivalent of the second meaning. Is there a term for describing a man that is dirty and slovenly?

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The second use of slut is definitely now archaic. In effect, there isn't an equivalent, because that use of slut itself is no longer in use. – Marcin May 30 '11 at 13:28
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Randolf -- it's commonly used among (male?) gay speakers to refer to other males who sleep around. Cross-dressing isn't obligatory as far as I'm aware. – Neil Coffey May 30 '11 at 17:04
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@Randolf: As far as I know, it only refers to a male sex worker, not an unkempt man. – Marcin May 30 '11 at 17:07
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Anecdotal: I and many of my friends use 'slut' to refer to promiscuous straight men. – Adam May 31 '11 at 9:44
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5 Answers

up vote 11 down vote accepted

"Slob" captures the second meaning for either sex.
Are you looking for a term that would be used only for men?

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"Slut" has a sexual connotation where "slob" does not. Also, where a slut may be visually attractive (especially in the context of being a prostitute), the image of a "slob" is usually a visually unattractive one. – Randolf Richardson May 30 '11 at 0:08
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@Randolf Richardson, Remember the question is asking for a word equivalent to the second meaning. IT doesn't have to relate to the first meaning. Monica Cellio's word is excellent – Thursagen May 30 '11 at 0:30
@Third Idiot: Ah, yes, you're right (+1 for you). The title of this article put a lot of weight on that for me. – Randolf Richardson May 30 '11 at 0:34
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Interesting how all the men who answered completely missed the question once the thought of it being about sex entered their heads. :-) – T.E.D. Aug 12 '11 at 13:46
@T.E.D.: That's because "slut" has an overpowering sexual connotation. – Randolf Richardson Aug 14 '11 at 0:29
up vote 4 down vote

I don't know why @Monica says "slob" applies to both sexes. I often hear (particularly younger) people apply "slut" (and "slag") to males, but I rarely hear "slob" applied to females. This NGram chart seems to confirm my somewhat sexist distinction...

...in that what I see as "wrong gender" usages don't even show up at all.

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Harry Enfield's Television Programme in the 1990s had a sketch about a man and women called The Slobs who were both slobs. – Hugo Dec 9 '11 at 11:05
up vote -1 down vote

As @Joe said, the meaning with sexual connotations could be "dog".

The meaning of slovenly, "pig".

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up vote -1 down vote

I suggest "gigolo" as a term that is probably quite suitable since it specifically refers to the male sex. Although it may not be quite as low-class or dirty as "slut," it's probably close enough to meet most needs.

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"gigolo" has a positive connotation (a bit like "man-eater"), though, whereas "slut" has a negative connotation. – Neil Coffey May 30 '11 at 5:02
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@Neil Coffey, Gigolo used to refer to male prostitutes.. – Thursagen May 30 '11 at 8:11
It still does, but in a positive way. – jmoreno Jul 31 '12 at 2:50
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True, you can use whatever word that most fits your mood. It's strange to me to call a man a slut. It sounds like

Greg didn't say a thing, because he was busy in the middle of delegations while my professors got mad at me and called me a slut.

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