# Resolved, that using "karen" as a pejorative is off limits **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 23, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430 "2023-07-23T21:48:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/241 "2023-08-08T18:38:38Z")
There is no good reason to ban Karen. We have banned almost no words. I can only really think of one. Usages can draw notes and warnings but the words are not banned. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/242 "2023-08-08T18:41:02Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’d love to say that my post was an homage to our long-departed colleague, but that was just an eerie coincidence. The fact I often think of his name when I see yours, and somehow your avatar looks to me like I think he really did look just adds to the effect. You write good shit, and he, like your avatar, had that over-the-top zany streak that could put zany sauce on anything and still have it work. For very weird values of “work”. Carry on! ---
**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:** [August 8, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/243 "2023-08-08T18:41:40Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > We have banned almost no words. I can only really think of one. Is it schnoodle? Uh oh, crap, I said the word. Nice knowing you all. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/244 "2023-08-08T18:43:24Z")
I do think using “Karen” as a pejorative is stupid and lazy. But talk of banning is not going to get much traction. We don’t want to ban words. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/245 "2023-08-08T18:43:32Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > This, by no means is a good reason to not sorta kinda ban karen as a pejorative, this is an argument that the SDMB shouldnt ban any words. However, that ship has sailed. If indeed “that ship has sailed”, that does not mean every weak-sauce argument forever after should get the same accommodation. That’s bad logic. Or bad rhetoric. In either case, it’s just bad. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/246 "2023-08-08T18:46:54Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > That’s bad logic. Or bad rhetoric. In either case, it’s just bad. So, you’re saying we should ask **Beck**? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/247 "2023-08-08T18:57:28Z")
That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me. I’m not used to that. I have an ex-wife. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/248 "2023-08-08T19:09:07Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > So, you’re saying we should ask **Beck**? No need to ask; She has Spoken more than once in this thread. Asking again might just rile her. And the only thing more fearsome than a bad, bad, bad **Beck** is a mad, mad, mad **Beck**. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/249 "2023-08-08T19:19:09Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > There is no good reason to ban Karen. We have banned almost no words. I can only really think of one. Usages can draw notes and warnings but the words are not banned. Again, I didnt say _ban_ the word. Just with “bitch” when used as a pejorative against a woman, the casual usage would be discouraged. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > We don’t want to ban words. Sure. But if I, when referring to Clarence Thomas called him “that N\*\*\*\*\* Justice” (using the word in full) I’d get warned. If I posted about the usage of that same word in a discussion about Huckleberry Finn, it might be okay. So no, that word is not banned. But as you said Usages can draw notes and warnings". So, I never asked for a word ban. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/250 "2023-08-08T19:53:08Z")
Never! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/251 "2023-08-08T19:58:26Z")
Perhaps continuing to associate the word “Karen” with words that are much, _much_ worse isn’t working in your favor? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/252 "2023-08-08T21:17:58Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sure. But if I, when referring to Clarence Thomas called him “that N\*\*\*\*\* Justice” (using the word in full) I’d get warned. Pretty sure you’d get banned. I hope. (I hope anyone using that word in that context would be banned.) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/253 "2023-08-08T21:50:04Z")
I’m going to bring this up -here- rather than setting up a third thread on the topic, but I disagree (very politely) with @Aspenglow’s moderation in the thread that spawned this one. Specifically: > [@The Rise of “Karens”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rise-of-karens/987320/214): > > I have not reviewed the 200+ posts in this thread to determine where and when exactly it went off the rails to become a duplicate thread as the one in ATMB, but there seems to be a general recognition among posters that it has. But the fact is, the discussion on appropriateness started at or before post #21, which predates THIS THREAD by 3 days. And it was an ongoing part of the thread ever since. Now, as I said, this is most mild possible criticism of the moderation, and absolutely not worth starting yet another thread about, but I wanted to point out this thread is the duplicate if anything. Or rather, it’s a request by the OP that in light of the spawning thread for the mods to take action on the language in question. Again, just my $0.02. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/254 "2023-08-08T22:06:11Z")
I have not followed either thread at all. There was a flag thrown and I reviewed the thread in which it was thrown, along with the OP, to see if the discussion was on track with what the OP had asked. It wasn’t at that point or for quite a number of posts going back. I did not review this thread at all in making a determination on how to act. If it is the general consensus that the moderation was incorrect, I’m fine with retracting the mod note. I nearly dismissed it without action, because I think both these threads are so hopelessly intertwined it hardly matters. I’ll leave you and others to discuss it here and check in later. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/255 "2023-08-08T22:15:43Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I nearly dismissed it without action, because I think both these threads are so hopelessly intertwined it hardly matters. This is, IMHO, 100% accurate and I agree. FTR, I did try to say it was the most mild criticism, as you made it clear in your note that you hadn’t had a chance to review over 200 posts, so I (and I suspect the others you quoted in the note) didn’t take it personally. I’ve had my say, if anyone else that’s reading both threads wants to make their feelings known, I yield the proverbial floor to them. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/256 "2023-08-08T22:25:39Z")
No, I didn’t take it personally. 🙂 We’re a little short-handed today, and I acted more hastily than I might have in other circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/257 "2023-08-09T12:19:33Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I do think using “Karen” as a pejorative is stupid and lazy. But it quickly and accurately gets a point across. I recently had a very entitled woman get in my face about something. There were people around, watching and listening. In my initial response I said, “Alright, Karen….”. After the altercation was over, the bystanders were chuckling and nodding heads to me. Had my initial response used “C\*nt” instead of “Karen” I don’t think the crowd would have been “on my side”. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/258 "2023-08-09T14:25:26Z")
Right. It’s a watered down “cunt”, that you can get away saying. Saying it still made you a putz … oh sorry, schmuck. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/259 "2023-08-09T15:44:36Z")
Based on a more thorough review of the threads and having given an ample amount of time for those who have a different view of the matter than @ParallelLines to say their piece in this thread, I’ve rescinded the mod note. I appreciate those who were mindful of a potential hijack in the MPSIMS thread, but as I said above, the 2 threads have become so intertwined that effective moderation on hijacking is hopeless. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430/260 "2023-08-09T15:52:48Z")
Actually given the situation, you could’ve said any of the following alright Trixie, Buffy, Princess snowflake and gotten the same reaction as if you said Karen. It’s the tone and delivery of the put down that makes it stick. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-using-karen-as-a-pejorative-is-off-limits/987430.md?page=14)