People, historically women, engaged in prostitution; or more broadly, people willing to compromise principles for money.
From Old English 'hore,' from Old Norse 'hórr' (adultery). The word acquired harsh moral judgment over time, particularly when applied to women, reflecting historical gender biases.
This word carries so much historical gender bias that it's primarily used as an insult today, yet males in the same profession aren't typically called by this term—it's a linguistic reminder of how English embeds historical prejudices into vocabulary.
Historically weaponized against women to control sexuality and strip personhood. Applied overwhelmingly to women despite transactional sex being gender-neutral. Used to stigmatize poverty and survival.
Avoid entirely in formal contexts. If discussing sex work, use 'sex worker' (the term coined by workers themselves) to center agency and labor.
["sex worker","survival sex","transactional sex"]
Sex workers—disproportionately women and transgender people—have organized for decades to reclaim language and demand rights, labor protections, and safety.
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