From reality television to theatre productions to foreign goods, the word trash has a long history of being used to deride things that are thought to have no value.

To find out what this history is, and how this language has been used against women in particular, Kate spoke to Kat Marchant of Reading the Past.

*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*

Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Joseph Knight.

Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.

If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts, and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! 

We're offering a very special discount. The code HISTORYHIT will provide 60% off the first 6 months. This means you can subscribe to History Hit for under £3 per month!