# Misogynistic language and its defenders **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 26, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162 "2025-06-26T16:25:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/41 "2025-06-26T19:17:16Z")
Oh you didn’t? O----kay. To be clear…I hate name calling, misogynistic or otherwise. I taught my kids not to do this. I watch my kids teach their kids. I wonder where you grew up to think its perfectly ok, where ever you are to insult people to get your jollies. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/42 "2025-06-26T19:19:06Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > And incels have a champion running the country, so they aren’t getting the stigma they should. Maganut is an incel, he thinks women shouldn’t be allowed to vote! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/43 "2025-06-26T19:21:34Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > No, they’re now “crazy cat ladies”. The language has changed, but the shaming of women who don’t take on the role of kitchen servant continues unabated. Rich women aren’t “crazy cat ladies”, though. Rich people are never crazy. They’re “eccentric”. That’s one of the perks of being rich. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/44 "2025-06-26T19:22:01Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > No, they’re now “crazy cat ladies”. The language has changed, but the shaming of women who don’t take on the role of kitchen servant continues unabated. I don’t know, I guess some of them perhaps. But Charlize Theron, Marisa Tomei, etc. You think they are considered “crazy cat ladies”? To me, they’re just beautiful, successful, single, older women. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/45 "2025-06-26T19:29:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Rich women aren’t “crazy cat ladies”, though. The term was originally applied to multimillionaire Kamala Harris. She might not be mega-rich, but I wouldn’t call her poor. And it was broadened to apply to multiple leaders in the Democratic Party, who aren’t poor people. > **[How ‘cat lady’ became an insult for women of a certain age | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/27/us/cat-lady-explained-cec)** > > “Cat lady” is usually used to refer to childless women who live alone with their feline companions. Here’s how the stereotype lobbed at Kamala Harris came to be — and how some women are reclaiming the term. This was specifically an insult aimed at wealthy people. I presume that wealth was part of the insult; in this case, being wealthy and successful, and yet choosing not a bear children. A quote from JD Vance during the Trump campaign (from the above article): > “We’re effectively run in this country, via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made,” Vance said. “And so they wanna make the rest of the country miserable, too.” > > “You look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC — the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children,” he went on. “And how does it make any sense that we’ve turned our country over to people who don’t really have a direct stake in it?” I will admit that’s not the same as shaming women for not being married, but it still falls under the umbrella, as these are people who choose not to have children for one reason or another. And Taylor Swift saw that that sort of insult would apply to her as well, and adopted it for herself as a badge of pride. **And I did misspeak.** I meant “_childless_ cat lady”, not “_crazy_ cat lady”. That was a mental slip as I was typing. If it was the “crazy” part you’re pushing back on, mea culpa. Being rich does often give you the ability to afford the term “eccentric”, yes. > [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > But Charlize Theron, Marisa Tomei, etc. You think they are considered “crazy cat ladies”? To me, they’re just beautiful, successful, single, older women. I agree, but I’m not a misogynistic right wing nut. And those people are currently running things. Hopefully not forever. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/46 "2025-06-26T19:35:28Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > The term was originally applied to multimillionaire Kamala Harris. She might not be mega-rich, but I wouldn’t call her poor. “Rich” has nothing to do with having money. Witness Donald Trump, who is rich despite having the lowest net worth of any person in history. What does being rich have to do with, if not having money? Hell if I know. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/47 "2025-06-26T19:36:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What does being rich have to do with, if not having money? Hell if I know. That’s certainly a conundrum! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/48 "2025-06-26T19:37:46Z")
I wonder how those Women would take your description of them? It’s not surprising they’re the way they are. I’m pretty sure they worked very hard to become successful. How many people say about Clooney or Pitt: Handsome and by-golly successful? Like its accidental. Maybe? ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/49 "2025-06-26T19:39:41Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I agree, but I’m not a misogynistic right wing nut. And those people are currently running things. Hopefully not forever. I get your point, but I thought we were talking about how these people were thought of by society in general, not specifically misogynistic men. And my point was that rich and famous single people, regardless of whether they are men or women, are, by and large, generally admired by society in general. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/50 "2025-06-26T19:40:48Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > And my point was that rich and famous single people, regardless of whether they are men or women, are, by and large, generally admired by society in general. More so than decades ago, surely, but of late that has been shifting backwards. That was my point, not that what you were saying is wrong (because it’s not). ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/51 "2025-06-26T19:42:41Z")
Exactly. Things _were_ getting better. Now, we’re going backward. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/52 "2025-06-26T19:48:26Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I wonder how those Women would take your description of them? His description was “beautiful, successful, single, older women”. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/53 "2025-06-26T19:51:10Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > It’s not surprising they’re the way they are. I’m pretty sure they worked very hard to become successful. I have no doubt they did, I never said or implied otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/54 "2025-06-26T20:16:36Z")
Very good. I understand now. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/55 "2025-06-26T20:23:44Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > Skank is a woman specific insult. I’d be royally pissed if someone called me or my daugher that or any woman. It’s the “…or any woman” part that matters. If you had left that off, I’d say “Well, _duh_. If someone called you that, they’d be trying to piss you off. That’s the whole point of an insult. Of course they don’t want you to feel good about it.” But when it bothers you (or should bother you) when it’s used against someone you don’t like and don’t respect, that’s an indication that it’s the language itself that’s the problem. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/56 "2025-06-26T20:43:24Z")
I sometimes refer to myself as a dickhead, i.e. " Feck, I forgot to lock the door. I’m such a dickhead". I’d never refer to myself as a skank or cunt, though. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/57 "2025-06-26T20:58:31Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I have chosen a single lifestyle. Single men, historically, have been viewed as “swinging bachelors”, men who are to be admired by their male peers. I’m male, never married, and no one has ever described me as a swinging bachelor. What you’re describing is a media trope that I’ve never encountered in real life. Can’t remember the last time I heard it in the media, either. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/58 "2025-06-26T20:59:47Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Can’t remember the last time I heard it in the media, either. Liberace. After that, they gave up. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/59 "2025-06-26T21:07:18Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > Liberace. After that, they gave up. I thought he was a “confirmed bachelor”? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162/60 "2025-06-26T21:22:36Z")
Someone in another thread called Scarlett O’Hara a ‘raging bitch’ and my reaction was _I thought we were trying to be better than this_, but oh well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-language-and-its-defenders/1020162.md?page=4)