# If women have suitors, what do men have? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 7, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626 "2003-12-07T22:12:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/21 "2003-12-09T05:17:30Z")
If women have suitors, what do men have? Competition. It’s difficult to think of a word to answer the OP that doesn’t have a second meaning (or a double meaning.) Maybe fall back on the old favorite “bachelorettes?” ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/22 "2003-12-09T05:50:52Z")
Wooers - pronounce very carefully ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/23 "2003-12-09T06:09:32Z")
Gold Diggers. Next? ---
**Author:** ![SanguineSpider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SanguineSpider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanguineSpider)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/24 "2003-12-09T06:16:12Z")
Snake trouser hunters? CRIKEY! ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/25 "2003-12-09T06:22:31Z")
Hoes (Courtesy of my bud in the city.) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/26 "2003-12-09T12:41:39Z")
Well, I sent M. the thread last night, as I’ve sent him other threads – he’ll succumb to the greatness of the Dope eventually. I’ve gotten my pal K. reading daily, though he claims he’s too cool to post. Heh. Only a matter of time. Anyway, here’s M’s take on the thread: > [@](#): > > "If women have suitors what do men have? > > ``` > HEADACHES!" > > ``` > > …that’s a good one. Although it still doesn’t solve the problem, > does it? And while some of the suggestions are aesthetically pleasing, > e.g., inamorata, beau-ettes, woo-ettes (actually, those all sound like > 1960s girl groups produced by Phil Spector), none of the suggestions > thus far captures two essential aspects that the term must have: first, > it has to encompass a range of possible situations from mere potential > to the actual beginning stages of dating; and second, it must make clear > that, unlike terms such as, say, “sweetie” or “honey” or “girlfriend” or > even “bee-yatch,” the romantic interest may not necessarily be mutual. > The members of a man’s queue might be ladies he’s contacted first, and > doesn’t yet know if they’re truly interested; they could be ladies who > have contacted him, and whom he may or may not be interested in pursuing > further; they could be mere flirtations or serious relationship > prospects or merely potential booty calls, or any combination of these. > > So whatever term is decided upon here, it’s got a lot of ground to cover > for one poor little word…essentially, it has to cover the entire range > of romantic potential, from all-out fireworks to abject humiliating rejection. > > BTW, I liked your little precis of our discussion and general relationship. > > (Christ, you know, you’re right. I DO have far too much time on my hands…) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/27 "2003-12-09T12:53:43Z")
Well, I sent M. the thread last night, as I’ve sent him other threads – he’ll succumb to the greatness of the Dope eventually. I’ve gotten my pal K. reading daily, though he claims he’s too cool to post. Heh. Only a matter of time. Anyway, here’s M’s take on the thread: > [@](#): > > "If women have suitors what do men have? > > ``` > HEADACHES!" > > ``` > > …that’s a good one. Although it still doesn’t solve the problem, > does it? And while some of the suggestions are aesthetically pleasing, > e.g., inamorata, beau-ettes, woo-ettes (actually, those all sound like > 1960s girl groups produced by Phil Spector), none of the suggestions > thus far captures two essential aspects that the term must have: first, > it has to encompass a range of possible situations from mere potential > to the actual beginning stages of dating; and second, it must make clear > that, unlike terms such as, say, “sweetie” or “honey” or “girlfriend” or > even “bee-yatch,” the romantic interest may not necessarily be mutual. > The members of a man’s queue might be ladies he’s contacted first, and > doesn’t yet know if they’re truly interested; they could be ladies who > have contacted him, and whom he may or may not be interested in pursuing > further; they could be mere flirtations or serious relationship > prospects or merely potential booty calls, or any combination of these. > > So whatever term is decided upon here, it’s got a lot of ground to cover > for one poor little word…essentially, it has to cover the entire range > of romantic potential, from all-out fireworks to abject humiliating rejection. > > BTW, I liked your little precis of our discussion and general relationship. > > (Christ, you know, you’re right. I DO have far too much time on my hands…) ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/28 "2003-12-09T13:11:10Z")
Rejection. Exes. Spousal support. Visitation. Poverty. Squalor. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/29 "2003-12-09T13:12:31Z")
Paramours? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/30 "2003-12-09T14:05:00Z")
Opportunists. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/31 "2003-12-09T14:22:06Z")
You know, I’m sensing some bitterness from some quarters… ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/32 "2003-12-09T15:06:02Z")
Quaters? Men are half the population… ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/33 "2003-12-09T16:01:49Z")
She did say _some_ quarters. Two quarters are some quarters which is a half. 😛 Oh, and I agree **Twickster** , some people seem rather bitter… ---
**Author:** ![pervert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@pervert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pervert)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/34 "2003-12-09T16:14:25Z")
Bitterness, like paranoia, does not imply that the Bastds / beyatches are not out to get you. 😉 If the term has to include persons not yet contacted, then perhaps “stalkette”? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/35 "2003-12-09T20:10:09Z")
“Groupies” ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/36 "2003-12-10T01:54:24Z")
Coquettes. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/37 "2003-12-10T02:04:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ccwaterback \* > \*\*Coquettes. \*\* Sounds like chicken… does it taste like chicken as well? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/38 "2003-12-10T05:16:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Krisfer the Cat \* > \*\*Sounds like chicken… > > does it taste like chicken as well? \*\* It’s finger lickin’ good. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/39 "2003-12-10T11:47:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ccwaterback \* > \*\*It’s finger lickin’ good. 🙂 \*\* Try the breasts and thighs! ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_E\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Ben\_E\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ben_E_Hill)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626/40 "2003-12-11T05:16:40Z")
Debtors, :)) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-women-have-suitors-what-do-men-have/217626.md?page=3)