To think that 'like putting lipstick on a pig' smacks of misogyny?

[Beckadillo]

This term is used a LOT in DH's office, in reference to pretty-ing up crap websites. He feels uncomfortable using it, and has asked my opinion as to whether it sounds misogynistic.

My feeling is that yes, it sounds that way, but I don't think that's the intention. It's just a horrible expression generally, IMO.

What do you think? And what expressions can he try to get going to replace it? Am personally in favour of 'like rolling shit in glitter'. Far lovelier

[CustardLover]

Agreed. I hate this phrase. Shit in glitter is much prettier :)

[BelfastBloke]

Obama used the phrase, and was accused of being misogynist toward Sarah Palin.

[Shakey15000]

Never heard of it

I get the gist of what it's alluding to but not seeing the misogyny either.

[Beckadillo]

I don't think it actually is, Derek, just that it sounds it (pig being, obviously, a totally vile way of referencing an unattractive woman)

[Tiggeryoubastard]

No misogyny there. May be pig ist (or is the PC term porcine ist) but definitely no misogyny.

[DoinItFine]

It porcophobic certainly.

What does it have to do with women?

Is "polishing a turd" misogynistic because women do more polishing?

Or shinier shites?

[Tiggeryoubastard]

Porcophobic. I've extended my vocabulary today.

[ABCAlwaysBeCunting]

I don't see it as misogynistic. I don't think 'pig' is solely applied to women in a derogatory way either.

[VestalVirgin]

As a card-carrying feminist, I do not find it particularly misogynist. Though possibly inaccurate - lipstick does not make anyone prettier, or disguise the real appearance.

Rolling shit in glitter is more accurate.

[BYOSnowman]

I would say it is referencing the fact that make up is used to make a woman (or man!) more attractive. By putting make up on a pig it isn't referring to an ugly woman but just saying you can't make a pig more attractive because they are ugly animals (poor pigs)

If you changed it to 'you can't put a pig in a tux' it has the same sentiment but isn't implying the pig is really an ugly man.

I also have never heard an ugly woman called a pig but have heard 'dog'

[Tiggeryoubastard]

Oh, and exactly what eatshit said. Your DH sounds quite tedious, OP.

[Beckadillo]

Fair enough, shall suggest he needn't worry too much about offending anyone, barring his boss, Peppa...

[DoinItFine]

I made porcophobic up.

[Tiggeryoubastard]

Today 21:55 DoinItFine

I made porcophobic up.

Bugger! It's there in my head now.

[DoinItFine]

I just googled it and it looks like Christopher Hitchens made it up before I did.

So it's definitely a word.