# offensive origin of the word "broad" (meaning a woman)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 11, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021 "2006-02-11T18:59:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![ombre3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@ombre3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre3)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021/21 "2006-02-13T02:09:55Z")

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> [@ombre3](#):
>
> “There ain’t nothin’ like a broad”–
> 
> -sounds like a song from somewhere long ago —or maybe it was a “dame” in that song. (Getting old and forgetful at times.)
> 
> In any event, I think broad has always been a somewhat flattering term for a woman.-----at least from a macho man sense.
> 
> It is nothing anywhere near as derogatory as------slut or cunt or split ass.

Sorry----I forgot twat and split tail.

May come up with a few more seriously derogatory names for women later on, if I remember them and if you all still care.

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**Author:** ![ombre3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@ombre3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre3)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021/22 "2006-02-13T02:22:21Z")

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> [@ombre3](#):
>
> Sorry----I forgot twat and split tail.
> 
> May come up with a few more seriously derogatory names for women later on, if I remember them and if you all still care.

OOPS–

Forgot the ever popular 'ho and “the beaver”.

Oh such memories.

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**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021/23 "2006-02-13T02:24:11Z")

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Knock it off.

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**Author:** ![ombre3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@ombre3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre3)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021/24 "2006-02-13T02:27:47Z")

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> [@EJsGirl](#):
>
> Knock it off.

OK -

–ran out of old sayings anyway for now.

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021/25 "2006-02-13T03:02:50Z")

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> [@ombre3](#):
>
> OK -
> 
> –ran out of old sayings anyway for now.

And I’m running out of patience.

Do any more of this shit and I’ll suggest that you sit out the next month. Understand?

This is an official warning.

**samclem** GQ moderator

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**Author:** ![ombre3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@ombre3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre3)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offensive-origin-of-the-word-broad-meaning-a-woman/344021/26 "2006-02-13T03:15:48Z")

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> [@samclem](#):
>
> And I’m running out of patience.
> 
> Do any more of this shit and I’ll suggest that you sit out the next month. Understand?
> 
> This is an official warning.
> 
> **samclem** GQ moderator

Warning taken in good faith.

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