# What is the English word for a human with a naturally occurring vagina? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 18, 2021, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861 "2021-09-18T08:10:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/142 "2021-09-26T19:58:49Z")
What does “the same thing” mean? They are both women. Trans women are not cis women. Any two cis women are not identical either – so two cis women may or may not be “the same thing” depending on what you mean. Maybe they’re both firefighters – in that case, they’re “the same thing” if by “thing” you mean profession. Maybe one is left handed and one is right handed, so they’re not “the same thing” if by “thing” you mean handedness. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/143 "2021-09-26T20:00:01Z")
Yeah, I kind of thought you were going for a “gotcha” and your comment leads me to believe that’s correct. Do you think this admission (by me - I won’t claim to speak for anyone else in the thread) is worth something? Is it going to change your attitude or behavior in some way? Will you sleep better at night because you’ve been so upset by this less-than-scientifically-precise use of language in the public sphere and now it’s been acknowledged by someone? Seriously, the reason you come across as “transphobic” in this thread is because you appear to want to back people into a corner on this. To what end? ETA: And your OP never says, “hey guys, there is a seeming inconsistency in language use I’d like to resolve, can someone help me out?” We could have all saved a lot of posting time and mental energy if you’d started with that question, since you now claim your goal all along was to hear someone acknowledge inconsistency. ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/144 "2021-09-26T20:03:01Z")
Please, @iiandyiiii, please answer this question directly. Why do we have a word for cis woman and a different word for trans woman? > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > They are both women. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/145 "2021-09-26T20:03:36Z")
I already answered that. > [@What is the English word for a human with a naturally occurring vagina?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/137): > > In my understanding, trans women are women who were not assigned female at birth (and/or women whose gender identity does not match their assigned/biological sex). Cis women are women who were assigned female at birth (and/or women whose gender identity does match their assigned/biological sex). There are countless “types” of women. Who says you are? To answer in another way, because trans and cis provide information about one’s gender identity. It’s not relevant in every context, but in the context of discussions about gender identity, it’s obviously relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/146 "2021-09-26T20:06:12Z")
Are trans-woman woman? why do you feel the need to modify their gender? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/147 "2021-09-26T20:06:38Z")
Yes, trans women are women. I am not modifying their gender. Gender and gender identity are two different (though related) things. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/148 "2021-09-26T20:07:58Z")
I’m a man, and my gender identity is cis. I’m a cis-man. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/149 "2021-09-26T20:08:24Z")
Okay, I’m out. This is too much. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/150 "2021-09-26T20:09:54Z")
Just a few more posts and they’re gonna get it, I swear! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/151 "2021-09-26T20:13:27Z")
Women are women. There are not two types of female gendered people. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/152 "2021-09-26T20:14:15Z")
There are, in fact, nigh-infinite types of female gendered people. And male gendered people, and people in general. There are tons of varieties of human beings, in all sorts of characteristics. ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/153 "2021-09-26T20:17:49Z")
Do all of them menstruate? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/154 "2021-09-26T20:19:12Z")
> [@Somethingwitty1](#): > > Do all of them menstruate? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/155 "2021-09-26T20:20:03Z")
Nope! Many women don’t menstruate. Some women have been through menopause; some women never menstruate due to hormonal issues; some women (even some ciswomen) were not born with a uterus; etc. It must be amazing to learn all these facts about human beings! I remember when I started learning about all the interesting ways humans can be different. What a fantastic time this must be for you, to have a chance to fill your head with all of these incredible facts! ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/156 "2021-09-26T20:32:29Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Nope! Many women don’t menstruate. Do most cis-woman and trans-men menstruate? Between puberty and menopause? Absent some medical condition? I guess I am crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/157 "2021-09-26T20:43:34Z")
> [@Somethingwitty1](#): > > Why do we have a word for cis woman and a different word for trans woman? Why do we have a word for married woman and a different word for unmarried woman? Why do we have a word for old woman and a different word for young woman? “Cis” and “trans”, like “married” and “unmarried” or “old” and “young”, are just adjectives denoting different types of women. > [@Somethingwitty1](#): > > Do most cis-woman and trans-men menstruate? Between puberty and menopause? Yes, most of them do. See, that wasn’t so difficult, was it? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/158 "2021-09-26T20:44:53Z")
> [@Somethingwitty1](#): > > I guess I am crazy. No, you are just allowing yourself to get all wound up over something about which most people just carry on their daily lives on the basis of “common usage, close enough for most cases” and “technical usage, for when the specifics are relevant to bring up” and feel no conflict with that. Most people out there are _ **not** _ about to pound on you about how transphobic you are if you casually say “I met a nice girl last night” during coffee break and leave it at that. On the contrary, anyone who’d then demand that you immediately specify the whole details of the person’s gender profile would be the one being obnoxious. I owe no one a duty to say “I met a nice White French vegan 45-year-old former-Catholic Assigned-Female-At-Birth heterosexual socialdemocrat premenopausal cis-woman last night” upon first reference. OTOH I _ **do** _ owe it to a trans woman to refer to her as a woman, full stop, _unless her trans status is relevant to the discussion_ at the time. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/159 "2021-09-26T20:46:33Z")
Yes, but why is this relevant to the discussion? ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/160 "2021-09-26T20:47:32Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Why do we have a word for married woman and a different word for unmarried woman? Why do we have a word for old woman and a different word for young woman? > > “Cis” and “trans”, like “married” and “unmarried” or “old” and “young”, are just adjectives denoting different types of women. Do you get accused of trans phobia for using the wrong words? What is the word, just as we have a word married woman, un married woman etc. ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861/161 "2021-09-26T20:49:02Z")
Not at all. don’t you agree? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-english-word-for-a-human-with-a-naturally-occurring-vagina/950861.md?page=9)