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Feminism: chat

Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Informal term for women?

98 replies

GingerPCatt · 13/12/2015 16:32

I was chatting to a friend last night and we were trying to come up with an alternative informal word to women. I don't like calling my friends girls as we are in our 30-40s but saying "had a lovely time women" sounds way to formal. Ladies is the same. It feels too formal. I need a grown up version of girls. Any suggestions?

OP posts:

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EdithWeston · 13/12/2015 16:34

Do you need a word there at all?

If you feel you do, then 'everyone' would fit.

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OneMoreCasualty · 13/12/2015 16:34

Dames?

We've tried this a few times and nothing perfect emerged. Folks?

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PlaysWellWithOthers · 13/12/2015 16:55

Thanks everyone, I had a lovely time?

For everything else woman/women suffices.

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VestalVirgin · 13/12/2015 16:58

Hmm, I think "ladies" if used with a bit of irony might fit?

Or maybe an artificial word, like "wyms", if you feel like experimenting.

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Shallishanti · 13/12/2015 16:58

guys?

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OneMoreCasualty · 13/12/2015 17:02

Guys typically means a group of men though!

Lay-deez, VV?

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BubsandMoo · 13/12/2015 17:05

"Everyone". There's just no need to refer to people's sex in that situation.

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ShatnersBassoon · 13/12/2015 17:07

Fillies or heifers, depending on how much you like them. They have rural charm.

I'm not bothered by girls though, or lasses. I don't suppose men care if they're called guys or lads in an informal setting.

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BertrandRussell · 13/12/2015 17:13

Guys or everyone. Sorted.

I don't want to be po faced about this (but I am going to be, sorry) but this is the sort of question people usually (not in the OP's case, obviously) to justify not using all these new fangled politically correct words....

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OneMoreCasualty · 13/12/2015 17:16

Like what PC words, BR?

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thatstoast · 13/12/2015 17:19

Ladies for me. Or 'thanks all'. I think I'm more formal than most though.

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Shallishanti · 13/12/2015 17:40

when I was about 13 (100 yrs ago) we had a visiting PE teacher from US, she said to us
'Gee, I don't know, you guys seem to have a period EVERY week'
(we did not realise she was being sarcastic)
however, clear use of 'guys' in an all female context

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stardusty5 · 13/12/2015 17:41

I don't think guys has to always mean males and use it regardless. The equivalent would be 'gals' but that's a bit American. Us Northerners have 'lasses' which isn't age specific.

What about something else jokey like gang, or chums?

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LassWiTheDelicateAir · 13/12/2015 18:37

Lasses, ladies or everyone. I don't even mind girls, depending on the context. If it is one of the group who is female and is saying something like " come on girls"

The one I really hate is "guys". Please do not ever refer to me as a guy.

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IShouldBeSoLurky · 13/12/2015 18:39

I don't mind guys for a mixed sex group or a group of women. If I'm addressing a group of friends I might say lovelies, or similar.

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LassWiTheDelicateAir · 13/12/2015 18:41

I don't like guys even for a mixed group.

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Spidertracker · 13/12/2015 18:49

I don't like the word woman when applied to me )no problem with anyone else using it though).
I refer to my friends as girls and describe myself as a girl (I am 32 just for reference).
Incidentally I don't like man/men either I refer to men as blokes or lads. Eg I saw a bloke or are you out with the lads.

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WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 13/12/2015 20:27

I would probably use - night all / ladies / everyone / guys.

Actually "night all" is probably the easiest. I sometimes call people dude though (because I'm very immature or pissed at the time).

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WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 13/12/2015 20:28

I refer to my friends as girls

Me too, I like a good girls night out. Dh sometimes has a boys night out.

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MrNoseybonk · 14/12/2015 09:41

Am surprised to see all those happy to call themselves and friends girls.
It's not acceptable for men to use girls though.
I find it's so variable. Someone I know was disciplined after trying to rally his mixed group at work with "come one guys" and a lady complained to his superior.

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BertrandRussell · 14/12/2015 09:44

"Someone I know was disciplined after trying to rally his mixed group at work with "come one guys" and a lady complained to his superior."

Really? Actually disciplined?

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OneMoreCasualty · 14/12/2015 09:52

What BR said. Disciplined? Or asked to use "everyone" going forwards?

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BarbarianMum · 14/12/2015 09:52

I like "guys" but hate "girls."

"Everybody" would seem safe as you are clearly not going to please everyone.

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OneMoreCasualty · 14/12/2015 09:54

And it massively depends on context, as I'm sure you can understand, MrN.

"I'm off on a boys' night out"
Vs
"Oh, ask that boy in marketing, y'know, the client manager, to write you an advertising plan"

Do you ever think you'd say or hear the latter?

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Spidertracker · 14/12/2015 11:30

onemore
I wouldn't say boy referring to a single man but would say.
'Oh, ask that lad in marketing, y'know, the client manager' if he was under about 45 and if he was 45 + 'ask that bloke in marketing'.
I really don't understand the issues around the word girl for adults. There are far more important issues in feminism, equal pay and the choice to be a parent not affecting your career (as well as understanding not having a career and staying at home to raise children is an equally valid choice).
I think that making an issue out of non issues puts people off feminism. It certainly did me, until I realised that my choice to stay at home, look after DH,DC and the house, call myself a girl etc was not an antifeminism stance but a choice afforded me by feminism and not something forced on me by a patriarchal society.