'''Bitch''' is a term for the female of a canine species in general. It is also frequently used as a term for a  malicious, spiteful, domineering, intrusive, or unpleasant person, especially a woman. This second meaning has been in use since around 1400.<ref name="online etymology"></ref> When used to describe a male, it may also confer the meaning of "subordinate", especially to another male, as in prison. Generally, this term is used to indicate that the person is acting outside the confines of their gender roles, such as when women are assertive or aggressive, or when men are passive or servile.  More recent variants of ''bitch'' are ''bitchy'', ill-tempered (1925), and ''to bitch'', to complain (1930).<ref name="online etymology" />

Since the 1980s, the term "bitch" became more and more accepted and less offensive. After the word was widely used between rivals Krystle and Alexis on the drama ''Dynasty'', it gained usage, in malicious contexts or otherwise, and is now very rarely censored on television broadcasts. Prior to the term's general acceptance, son of a ''bitch''". More generally the term has also acquired the meaning of something unpleasant or irksome, as in the expression "Life's a Bitch".

==Uses==
===Women===
The word "bitch" has long been in use to refer to a woman in contempt, as shown in an 1811 dictionary which describes ''bitch'' as "the most offensive appellation that can be given to an English woman, even more provoking than that of whore."<ref>Grose, Francis. ''[http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?pageno=20&fk_files=9510 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue]''. Hosted at Project Gutenberg. Retrieved on January 9, 2007.</ref>

===Hip hop culture===
The word ''bitch'' is sometimes used casually among hip-hop artists and followers of the culture. The term is typically used to describe a young female regardless of personality or looks. As in the culture the term "dawg" is used for males it is sometimes said as a type positive way as "bitch" is the female term.  Often it is a directly negative and violent condemnation of character (referring sometimes to males as well, but especially directed at females). 

The term can also connote ownership of a woman, such as in the phrase "my bitch", therefore reinforcing cultural norms of the word as negative, especially towards the feminine. This is similar to previous feminist attempts to identify it as an epithet for a strong, self-reliant woman.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/magazine/06wwln_q4.html?ex=1312516800&en=bd6388aef33693d1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Pop Goes the Feminist], Deborah Solomon interviews Andi Zeisler, ''New York Times'', August 6, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/11.29.00/feminism-0048.html Third Wave Feminism], by Tamara Straus, MetroActive, December 6, 2000.</ref><ref>[http://www.popgurls.com/article_show.php3?id=634 You've Really Got Some Minerva, Veronica Mars], 2006-11-21.</ref>

===Prison slang===
In the context of prison sexuality, a ''bitch'' is a lower-hierarchy prisoner, typically physically weak or vulnerable, who is dominated by more senior prisoners and forced to adopt a servile role. According to convention, these inmates are used as sexual slaves or traded as personal property. To call a male a "bitch" usually suggests that he is sexually passive in this manner. However, it can also refer to anybody who is subservient.

===Bitch slap===
The term "bitch slap" is derived from American slang.  In the original sense, a "bitch slap" is a powerful, full-swing slap in the face with the front of the hand, evoking the way an angry pimp might slap a defiant prostitute (not to be confused with a "pimp slap" which uses the back of the hand).  However, the term is now frequently used figuratively to describe a humiliating defeat or punishment.

The term biatch, beyatch or beotch is a slang word for '''bitch'''. The term has become widely used in mainstream media to avoid censorship. It was also well defined in the once popular tune "Let Me Ride" by music performer Dr. Dre.  Since the original term is no longer as derogatory as it once was,  these derivatives are often used with emphasis to try to achieve the expression of irritation the term itself once expressed about the female character. 

===Son of a bitch===
The term ''son of a bitch'' is a form of profanity usually used to refer to a man who is nasty, rude or otherwise offensive. It also is used as an exclamation or in an exclamative pretext. It is considered a swear or curse. It is commonly abbreviated as SOB.

===In driving===
The word ''bitch'' as in the phrase ''riding bitch'' can refer to the middle bench seat in which one is sandwiched between the driver and another passenger&mdash;an uncomfortable position when space in the car is scarce, especially where the drive tunnel limits legroom.  ''Riding bitch'' or the ''bitch seat'' can also refer to the middle rear seat in a small five-seater hatchback or sedan (often the only seat without a shoulder-strap).

The origins of the phrase "riding bitch" could be interpreted as being sexist. In the past, as well as currently in some parts of the world, men have been the drivers and women have sat next to them, with the child or passenger in the seat furthest from the driver. "Riding bitch" also refers to riding on the small seat behind the driver of a motorcycle.

'''Bitch'''  ist in seiner ursprünglichen Bedeutung das englische Wort für „Hündin“. In der englischen Sprache ist bitch einer der beleidigstenden Ausdrücke für eine Frau und kann mit Hure, Schlampe oder Drecksau übersetzt werden. In der deutschen Sprache wird das Wort etwa seit den 1990er Jahren vor allem von jüngeren Personen in einem ähnlichen Sinne verwendet.

== Der Begriff in der deutschen Sprache ==
Im Zuge der zunehmenden Verbreitung von Anglizismen wird der Begriff im Deutschen immer häufiger verwendet.

Besonders große Verbreitung hat der Begriff in der Hip-Hop-Szene. Auch in deutschsprachigen Rap-Texten wird das Wort „inflationär gebraucht“ (laut einer Auswertung von 320 Texten aus den Jahren 2001-2004), dabei wird es teils als eine Bezeichnung für Frauen im allgemeinen oder auch als Schimpfwort für einen Mann benutzt, insbesondere für andere Rapper, denen man vorwirft, aus kommerziellen Interessen Szene-Werte zu verraten (auch ''sell-out'' genannt); letzteres hebt auf die Nebenbedeutung von „''Bitch''“ als „Prostituierte“ ab.<ref name=Philippe">Natalie Philippe: ''[http://static.twoday.net/bildung/files/diplomarbeit-natalie-philippe.pdf Kunst und Gewalt: Battles im HipHop. Eine diskursanalytische Untersuchung der Sprechakte „boasten“ und „dissen“ in deutschsprachigen Rap-Texten der Jahre 2001 bis 2004]''. Diplomarbeit im Fachbereich Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaften, Justus Liebig-Universität, Gießen 2005. S. 104</ref> 

Teilweise wird „''Bitch''“ auch durch Frauen offensiv als Selbstbezeichnung verwendet, um den Begriff positiv umzudeuten – vergleichbar mit der Umdeutung von Begriffen wie Riot-grrrl''-Bewegung der 1990er Jahre<ref>''[http://www.genderstudies-hamburg.de/fileadmin/user_upload/TUHH_Agentec/pop_queer_reader.pdf  gendertrouble_queer_pop]'' Reader zu einem Gender-Studies-Seminar im Wintersemester 2004/2005 an der TU Hamburg-Harburg. S.21, S.25</ref> oder durch Rapperinnen<ref>Philippe 2005, S. 17</ref>. Ein bekanntes Beispiel für Letztere ist Missy Elliott, deren Ausspruch „Eine ''bitch'' ist ein selbstbewusstes Mädchen für mich“ als „legendär“ gilt.<ref>Institut für Jugendkulturforschung/Bundesministerium für soziale Sicherheit, Generationen und Konsumentenschutz: ''[http://www.bmsg.gv.at/cms/site/attachments/1/7/5/CH0078/CMS1120471484646/jugendkulturphaenomene_trend_4.pdf Trend: Weibliche „Role-Models“ im Pop]''. Wien 2004</ref> Selbstredend auch hier, dass der Begriff im Sinne der aufmüpfigen Frau und nicht der Prostituierten gemeint ist.