"Slut" to me referres not so much to the number of sexual partners a woman has but more so the non-committal, uncaring way they are used by a woman just for sex. I've never thought of it to describe a man but I guess it could, just sounds like a feminine word, not sure why. So then I don't think a married couple acting out sexual fantasys are being sluts.

"Slutty", to me, has nothing to do with clothes (if so a look at current styles would sure put that label on a bunch of girls!!) or outward appearance but attitude. Remember the old saying 'actions speak louder then words'.... and in this case louder then looks. Does that make sense?

I have to kind of agree with osuche: "I think a slut is someone who doesn't respect themselves enough to obey their personal boundaries. Who does things that *they* are ashamed of." Self respect, attitude, lifestyle apply to both slut and slutty. So unless one knows a person well and how they live how can they call some one either. I personnally don't think you can and don't like either word.

I wonder to if the meanings have evolved and might be different from generation to generation? The only dictionary I have near my desk is a Webster's from 1970. It defines slut as: 1. a careless, dirty, slovenly woman; slattern 2. a sexually immoral woman 3. a female dog; bitch
(Slattern: 1. a woman who is careless and sloppy in her habits, appearance, work, etc 2. a sexually promiscuous woman; slut)
Slutty is not defined.

Will have to look in a more current dictionary and see what is given.

Not sure if any of that addresses the thread, kinda rambled on.