# Misogynistic terms **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 1, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610 "2018-09-01T16:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/1 "2018-09-01T16:06:35Z")
[Term for a woman who flirts to cause trouble](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=861468) **Colibri** , how are you determining in a thread about misogynistic descriptors of women that some of the responses are worth noting while others are not? I understand you flagged ones that are less likely to be considered synonyms you’d find in Roget’s than some others but considering the subject and the more serious answers are still misogynistic in nature and that jokes are allowed after some more serious responses how do you justify those particular notes? This is not a complaint, but being a poster more likely than some to cross that blurry line I’d like to understand the reasoning. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/2 "2018-09-01T16:10:37Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > considering the subject and the more serious answers are still misogynistic in nature Can you explain why you think this? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/3 "2018-09-01T16:13:58Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Can you explain why you think this? Because I think just about all of those terms would be flagged as misogynistic if used in threads about other subjects, if not by mods then by other Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/4 "2018-09-01T16:27:23Z")
I thought it was pretty clear that Colibri was modding anything that crossed the line from an objective discussion of semantics to “jokey” misogynistic digs. I.e., not related to the words themselves, but how they were being discussed. I mean, the words he modded were not misogynistic _terms_ at all without context, the point was the not-so-subtle joke that all women are like this. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/5 "2018-09-01T16:28:12Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Because I think just about all of those terms would be flagged as misogynistic if used in threads about other subjects, if not by mods then by other Dopers. Well, the OP of that thread asked about a specific type of woman, or a specific type of behavior engaged in by some women, but it wasn’t casting aspersions on women in general. The posts that got modded, however, were. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/6 "2018-09-01T16:49:08Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I thought it was pretty clear that Colibri was modding anything that crossed the line from an objective discussion of semantics to “jokey” misogynistic digs. I.e., not related to the words themselves, but how they were being discussed. I mean, the words he modded were not misogynistic _terms_ at all without context, the point was the not-so-subtle joke that all women are like this. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Well, the OP of that thread asked about a specific type of woman, or a specific type of behavior engaged in by some women, but it wasn’t casting aspersions on women in general. The posts that got modded, however, were. Exactly correct. Certainly women who engage in such behavior exist, and there are words to describe them. Discussion of a subset of women whose behavior might be negative is not, in my view, misogynistic per se. What crossed the line is stating that such negative behavior is characteristic of _all_ women. Obviously it is not. Likewise, a discussion of other words for “womanizer” would be allowed, but a reply that just said “Any man” would be out of line. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/7 "2018-09-01T16:52:36Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > jokes are allowed after some more serious responses . Just because jokes are allowed doesn’t mean all jokes are allowed. I recognize those answers were jokes, but they were misogynistic jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/8 "2018-09-01T17:02:31Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Because I think just about all of those terms would be flagged as misogynistic if used in threads about other subjects, if not by mods then by other Dopers. Depends on context. We don’t forbid any specific words here. In GQ, the use and origin of derogatory terms can be discussed, whereas these terms might be modded in other situations. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/9 "2018-09-01T20:33:48Z")
The entire thread is disgusting. Since it was bound to attract the best and brightest misogynists here, I think it should’ve been closed. It’s a subject that could be discussed intellectually someplace else, but not here. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/10 "2018-09-01T22:06:00Z")
FTR - While I was being a bit sarcastic with my response - I do simply call the 'women who flirt" - well - women - I don’t see the need to call them any other nickname (harpy, shrew, gossip, firewhatever) - they are all ‘women’. Its also true that damn near ALL women (and ALL men) ‘flirt to cause trouble’ at some time or another - so its also not misogynist to state that - I say its MORE misogynist to have to give them a special nickname. In any event - it was certainly not intended as claim of ‘hatred or dislike’ toward women - any more than calling them a ‘cock tease’ or an ‘attention whore’ was by other posters in the same thread. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/11 "2018-09-01T22:14:09Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Its also true that damn near ALL women (and ALL men) ‘flirt to cause trouble’ at some time or another …this is not true. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/12 "2018-09-01T22:19:37Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Its also true that damn near ALL women (and ALL men) ‘flirt to cause trouble’ at some time or another I do not believe this is true. But even if this was your point, it was entirely inappropriate to make it as a throwaway joke in GQ. If this is what you wanted to say, you should have explained it. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/13 "2018-09-01T22:44:14Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Well, the OP of that thread asked about a specific type of woman, or a specific type of behavior engaged in by some women, but it wasn’t casting aspersions on women in general. The posts that got modded, however, were. “Is there a specific term for black men who commit crimes? I’m not casting aspersions on _all_ black men, of course, only the _criminal_ ones”. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/14 "2018-09-01T23:11:16Z")
_Africons_ ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/15 "2018-09-01T23:36:50Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Its also true that damn near ALL women (and ALL men) ‘flirt to cause trouble’ at some time or another - so its also not misogynist to state that - I say its MORE misogynist to have to give them a special nickname. “It’s not [racist/misogynist/homophobic/insert bigotry of choice here] if it’s _true_.” Is this some sort of dickhead bingo? Because I call “I grew up with women and some of my best friends are women”. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/16 "2018-09-01T23:44:40Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > The entire thread is disgusting. Since it was bound to attract the best and brightest misogynists here, I think it should’ve been closed. It’s a subject that could be discussed intellectually someplace else, but not here. One would hope that it would attract the lexicographers, and that was the intent. I’ve made note in the thread that it can be closed since I tracked down the source. I’m curious that it seems to only be used in that specific way by a single person, but it doesn’t feel like I would be able to resolve that curiosity here given the responses. And I’m not curious enough to try and contact the author. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/17 "2018-09-02T00:24:27Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > “It’s not [racist/misogynist/homophobic/insert bigotry of choice here] if it’s _true_.” Is this some sort of dickhead bingo? Because I call “I grew up with women and some of my best friends are women”. Ooh! Ooh! I’m the least sexist person you’ll ever meet but ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/18 "2018-09-02T00:37:36Z")
“I’m sorry you felt you had to be offended by my lighthearted repartee”. And not forgetting the classic “But what about all the misandrist slurs directed against men? I suppose they don’t count”. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/19 "2018-09-02T01:19:00Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Depends on context. We don’t forbid any specific words here. In GQ, the use and origin of derogatory terms can be discussed, whereas these terms might be modded in other situations. I understand your points, you’re ok with GQish factual answers. I’m not thrilled with what I see as a fuzzy line about the jokes as it could be applied in the future but I didn’t start this thread to get side-tracked on the topic so feel free to close it at your discretion. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610/20 "2018-09-02T04:06:58Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Ooh! Ooh! > > I’m the least sexist person you’ll ever meet but …I prefer peanut butter cookies over chocolate chip. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynistic-terms/820610.md?page=2)