Coño is (technically) a four-letter word

This word is pronouced in many ways, depending on the situation.

Coño — Put the accent on the first syllable. This is what you’ll find in a dictionary.
Coñó — Put the accent on the last syllable (as indicated by the acute accent mark).
’ñó — Aspirate the first syllable, accent the last.
Coñ’ — Accent the first syllable, make the ending o almost inaudible.
etc.

According to Gloria Estefan, “Cubans use this ‘all purpose’ word to express wonder, confusion, happiness, sadness, excitement, boredom, pain, pleasure, delirium, frustration ... you name it!” (from the Mi Tierra CD).

I didn’t know that it was a four-letter word (and what it really refered to) until I was eleven years old. And, no, I am not slow, but it is one of those terms that is soooooo pervasive that you think nothing of it until your older friends start to say things like “tú quieres coño, mijito?” while snickering.