New Understanding of the Word 'Slut'

I must admit to being amazed that in the 21st century we still have to deal with women being called sluts.  Seriously, shouldn't we be long past the concept of negatively stereotyping women for participating in sexual activity?  Haven't we figured out that it makes no sense to blame one person for the behavior of two?

But then I read something interesting about the linguistic heritage of the word slut.  From the 15th through the 18th century the term slut was used to describe a female servant, particularly one who worked in the kitchen.  Let that sink in for a moment - a poor woman working as servant in a wealthy man's home. This man either physically assaults or through threat of losing her position forces the woman into sexual intercourse.  And the term shifts from describing her work position to blaming her for being a victim of work related sexual harassment.

The thread that stays true in this is that the term says more about the man's role in the situation than it does the woman's.  By using the term the man defines himself much more than he will ever define the woman.