So This Just Happened

You Must Be Joking: Court Rules It’s Illegal To Tell A Man He Has No Balls

Ever told someone to “grow a pair”? Is it a vulgar thing to say? Sure. Inappropriate? Yea, pretty much. Illegal? Well, technically, it is now — in Italy.

The nation’s highest court ruled this week that telling a man he “has no balls” (which, in my book at least, encompasses the aforementioned imperative to “grow some”) is a crime that carries a monetary fine, according to the Digital Journal. It’s kind of like your childhood swear jar — except the government’s the one washing your mouth out with soap.

In justifying its decision, a statement from the court pointed not only to “the vulgarity of the term” but also to its “injurious quality.”

The statement continues:

“It refers not only to the target’s lack of virility but also his weakness of character, lack of determination, competence and coherence — virtues that, rightly or wrongly, are still identified as pertaining to the male gender.”

Wow.

So, just a quick recap: “Determination, competence and coherence” are all qualities inherently associated with “the male gender.” (Oh, I’m sorry, that was “rightly or wrongly” associated with the male gender. Rightly or wrongly! Anyone’s guess!) And implying that someone doesn’t have balls is to say they’re a lesser person. Ohhh-kay.

In reply, I defer to Betty White:

[H/T Daily What]

Betty White image via.

TAGS: balls | legal

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