Cocksucker. What's going on here, then? Why is 'cocksucker' a term of abuse? Don't you want your cocks sucked*? Isn't it a Good Thing?

Uh-huh.

I've never heard it used to describe a woman. So, I'd be interested to hear a defence. Is there anyone out there who's prepared to argue that 'cocksucker' is value-free and not at all homophobic?

I have heard it used against a woman, and heard men and women called cunts, and heard both men and women use both phrases (cunt and cocksucker). I think that swearing for most people means nothing more than a good, aggressive sounding word (they are all *spikey* words)that you can really spit out hard like a verbal punch. "You total fucker". If people used that literally how would it be an insult? I think "fucker" demonstrates my point quite well because it can't be construed as anti male, anti female, homophobic or owt else it's just agressive. I happily use all those words when I feel it appropriate and never have any ulterior motive for using them.

Well that's the best defence you're going to get out of me, it's Friday and I'm grumpy.