# Dude, male or gender neutral? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835 "2005-08-20T01:33:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/1 "2005-08-20T01:33:01Z")
Recently, on this board I called someone a dude (being unaware of said persons gender) and was corrected. Ahem, dudette (which is wrong on so many levels, but I digress) I was a little surprised to be corrected because I had thought common usage had taken this term to gender non specific territory. Dude = a cool person. Perhaps I am mistaken, but if this is the case, it will become my mission to make the term gender neutral, because “Dude, you rock!” is a wonderfully evocative compliment, and should be able to apply to dames and blokes alike. So guys (also gender neutral now) what do you think, are chicks dudes? ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/2 "2005-08-20T01:36:31Z")
Gender neutral. If I hold this belief, then I can continue in my habit of calling everyone “dude”. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/3 "2005-08-20T01:47:18Z")
I think of “dude” as being vaguely male, although I’ve certainly seen it used in a gender-neutral way. I don’t care for the term “dudette.” ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/4 "2005-08-20T01:52:38Z")
I think of it as gender neutral. At my (all female) bridal shower I called a friend dude, only to surprise my aunt and prompt my mother to ask if there was **anyone** I don’t call dude. Hell, I think I called **GingerOfTheNorth** dude recently, but I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/5 "2005-08-20T01:56:42Z")
Originally, in my world at least, it denoted a male, but slowly it has become more and more gender neutral. It appears that it is still in transition into full public acceptance as a gender neutral term, so there still emerge slang faux pas, as it were. As a side note, I’ve noticed an increasing tendency for females to use the term. Until a few years ago, it seemed to be solely the inclination of males to use it. Coincidentally, I’ve also noticed a decline in the usage of “chick.” ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/6 "2005-08-20T01:57:35Z")
Gender-neutral, though I tend to use it as an interjection more often than to refer to a person. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/7 "2005-08-20T02:03:52Z")
Gender-neutral as an interjection. If I were to say, “There was this dude standing down by the corner,” that would mean a male, but something like, “Dude, come check this out!” can be addressed to either gender ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/8 "2005-08-20T02:14:00Z")
I typically use it in gender-neutral fashion. Sometimes I use ‘cat’ and ‘dude’ interchangeably and when I do, I’m referring to a male. A lot of my male friends call me dude. Believe me, the way I’m built, they are _not_ mistaking me for a male. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/9 "2005-08-20T02:14:53Z")
Still male to me – I’m always vaguely surprised (though touched, in a “how nice this young person is being to me” sort of way) to be addressed as “dude.” I find “dudette” amusing, though. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/10 "2005-08-20T02:38:43Z")
According to the world’s foremost expert in the use of the word ‘dude’: [Link to PDF Academic Study](http://www.pitt.edu/~kiesling/dude/dude.pdf) > [@](#): > > Indeed, the data presented here confirm that dude is an address term that is used mostly by young men to address other young men; however, its use has expanded so that it is now used as a general address term for a group (same or mixed gender), and by and to women. However (footnote omitted): > [@](#): > > In addition to the overwhelming predominance of male-male uses of dude in these data, it is important to note that the second most common speaker-addressee gender type is female-female, while in mixed-gender interactions there were relatively fewer uses of dude. This correlational result suggests that dude indexes a solidary stance separate from its probable indexing of masculinity, unless for some reason women are apt to be more masculine (and men, less masculine) when speaking to women. ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/11 "2005-08-20T02:46:14Z")
I’ve been known to call my mom dude. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/12 "2005-08-20T02:49:42Z")
> [@Geobabe](#): > > Gender-neutral as an interjection. If I were to say, “There was this dude standing down by the corner,” that would mean a male, but something like, “Dude, come check this out!” can be addressed to either gender Seconded. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Meaty\_Beaty\_Big\_and\_Bouncy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Meaty\_Beaty\_Big\_and\_Bouncy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meaty_Beaty_Big_and_Bouncy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/13 "2005-08-20T02:52:12Z")
I have noticed it being used more and more gender-neutral, though I still think of it referring to a male. I rarely use it, preferring “man” and “chick”. But I’m old enough to remember using “right on” the first time it was cool :rolleyes: 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![AThingWithFeathers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@AThingWithFeathers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AThingWithFeathers)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/14 "2005-08-20T02:58:28Z")
I agree with **Geobabe**. I refuse to be called a dudette, and always have, since (even as a young child) it seemed condescending to me. But “dudette” is usually used as an interjection; to the point, at least, where I would be mildly amused if someone said, “That dudette over there looks pretty crazy.” Also, my spellcheck (MS Word) doesn’t accept “dudette” as a real word. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/15 "2005-08-20T02:59:15Z")
“A dude” (as opposed to the genderless exclamation, _Duuuuuude…_) is certainly (expected to be) male to my ears. Consider the Aerosmith song, _Dude Looks Like a Lady_. Not very funny or surprising if, well, Dude Could Always Have Been A Lady. Then again, (a) the song is from 1987, (b) I am 34 years old now, so © I wouldn’t be surprised if slang usage has changed and I haven’t noticed. (_When did Ozzy become an actor?.._) I don’t see why a gender-neutral term of address is needed anyway. What’s wrong with just “yo” or “hey” if you want someone’s attention? ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/16 "2005-08-20T03:43:07Z")
I think it’s a term hijacked by females and I think it really belongs to us (dudes that is). Okay start the pile on. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/17 "2005-08-20T04:13:59Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > Originally, in my world at least, it denoted a male, but slowly it has become more and more gender neutral. It appears that it is still in transition into full public acceptance as a gender neutral term, so there still emerge slang faux pas, as it were. Pretty much how I see it. I still hear it as male but wouldn’t be put off being called that depending on context. > [@](#): > > Coincidentally, I’ve also noticed a decline in the usage of “chick.” Really? What a shame. I liked “chick”, as a term that was reclaimed from its ignominious past (rather like “queer”). Hate to see it go…particularly if it means I’ll get called “dude”! ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/18 "2005-08-20T04:15:07Z")
> [@jimpatro](#): > > I think it’s a term hijacked by females and I think it really belongs to us (dudes that is). Okay start the pile on. I’ll arm wrestle you for it. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/19 "2005-08-20T04:22:58Z")
> [@parthenokinesis](#): > > Recently, on this board I called someone a dude (being unaware of said persons gender) and was corrected. Ahem, dudette (which is wrong on so many levels, but I digress) Aheh. That was me. I find “dude” to be masculine (though I _hate_ “dudette”, I used it because it was the weirdest sounding word and it made me laugh (that was probably the same day of my insomnia trippiness), yet would set the record straight on my sex\*). It might just be how I was raised; I used to use “man” or “dude” all the time as a young child and as a teenager, and my mother would get very irritated and tell me to not address her in masculine terms. She is a lady, or so she claims. Somewhere along the line, as girls so often hate but usually do anyway, I turned into my mother, and her preference of not being called by something she considered “masculine” rubbed off on me. I’m willing to believe that the usage has become gender-neutral, but it still makes me feel weird to be called a dude. - - is my username really gender-neutral? I’d always thought it was very feminine. This isn’t the first time it’s happened on this board, so perhaps it’s time I rethink that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sarah\_Woodruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sarah\_Woodruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah_Woodruff)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-male-or-gender-neutral/317835/20 "2005-08-20T04:45:34Z")
I’ve been reading Annie Proulx’s collection of Wyoming stories, _Close Range_, in which the term “Dude-ranching” is used to describe ranches whose owners have given up running cattle and taken in tourists instead. There is a party of female New York lawyers who have to be escorted on the riding trails, and they are called by the main character, “lawyer dudes.” 😃 Besides, if it’s not gender-neutral then it cuts down the times you can utilise the expression “Phone’s ringing dude…” by 50%, which would be a shame.