'Bitter'

[Twinkleandbunty]

AIBU to hate this word?
It always seems to be used about women in terms of a character trait, and is used quite regularly on some threads as a put down to other women.
I've seen it on a few threads recently and it's getting on my tits.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I thought this was going to be about the type of ale, which i think is utterly revolting.

I see it as a unisex insult really. The people I describe as much are both men.

Not on here though, in rl.

[WorraLiberty]

Well some people are very bitter and it clouds the rest of there lives moving forward.

I have to say though, it's not my experience that it's always used about women.

Perhaps it is on MN because it's a predominately female board, but in real life it's not ime.

[Twinkleandbunty]

Hehe, probably should have said 'not beer or citrus fruit'.
I rarely hear of men being described as bitter, mostly women. Maybe it's just Mumsnet forums!

[WorraLiberty]

It might be just MN

I've often heard men described as 'a bitter old drunk' or a 'bitter old fool'

[DustyBaubles]

Oho! If you were in the lab I work in not five minutes ago, you'd have heard a huddle of people discussing the bitterness of a disgruntled group head.

He's definitely male, but bitter to the core. I think his ego is just too fragile for a career in science, and he takes it out on the greener students.

[QueenofKelsingra]

it is a very good descriptive word for some women. it suits my MIL very well.

it would be rare for me to call a man bitter I admit. I tend to associate it with people who are a)still resentful/pissed off about something from a long time ago (MIL, divorce) or people with a particularly sharp tongue saying something out of line.

[fascicle]

I have a real thing about bitter too, although I haven't noticed it being applied to women more than men. It's kind of onomatopoeic, which probably contributes to its unpleasantness.

[Innogen]

I think bitterness is gender free. I've met just as many men bitter about their life events as women.