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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think it's weird that my husband sometimes calls my female friends 'birds'

69 replies

Clotheswoe · 07/03/2024 10:23

AIBU to think it's weird that my husband refers to some of my female friends as 'birds'?

He normally does it when he's a bit annoyed at them.

And that even The Sun journalists wouldn't call women 'birds' anymore?

OP posts:
Tomorrowisanewday · 07/03/2024 23:42

It's a common term where I am. I use it frequently and I'm female

Screamingabdabz · 07/03/2024 23:40

Everyone says it where I live (deprived working class area) - so much so that it occasionally slips out of my mouth too and to my shame I’m very much a feminist and work in a very professional, middle class sector 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’m a child of the 1970s, what can I say…

twingiraffes · 07/03/2024 23:38

I think it is deeply misogynistic and belittling.

ChristianHornersGlisteningFinger · 07/03/2024 23:35

You still haven’t said where he is from?

The fact that he uses the term only in anger would suggest that it IS meant offensively, despite what people have said in this thread.

Original poster
Clotheswoe · 07/03/2024 23:13

Thanks all! It doesn't seem to be as universally offensive as I first thought.

I hardly ever hear it where I live, so it was unusual to hear it from my DH!

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 07/03/2024 19:01

Used to hear it a lot in my long-gone, misspent youth.
Sounds very dated now, but I’d still rather hear that than the US - ‘broad’- ugh.

Temuaddiction · 07/03/2024 18:34

AmaryllisChorus · 07/03/2024 16:36

I've always liked the slang bird for a woman. It feels like a term of endearment - birds are beautiful and free, they fly and soar and sing. It never feels like a put down.

I agree I think some people just want a reason to be mad and feel less then. Birds are beautiful creatures.

Temuaddiction · 07/03/2024 18:34

Why is bird sexist?
Is geezer also sexiest? Or bloke?

AmaryllisChorus · 07/03/2024 16:36

I've always liked the slang bird for a woman. It feels like a term of endearment - birds are beautiful and free, they fly and soar and sing. It never feels like a put down.

CurlewKate · 07/03/2024 16:30

"Everyone is bird where I live."

I bet your dp's boss isn't. Or would the concept of a woman being his boss be too scary for him....?

Ineedwinenow · 07/03/2024 14:48

Yep it’s “bird” in my area and I use it, We also have “duck” ( our area clearly has a thing for calling people after our feathered friends)!!!

Thepeopleversuswork · 07/03/2024 14:47

I’m a hardline feminist and I don’t actually mind “birds” as long as it’s done ironically. I can’t believe anyone actually uses it non-ironically these days…

Growlybear83 · 07/03/2024 14:45

PToosher · 07/03/2024 14:14

It's common where I live, in the south.
Birds, chicks, blokes, geezers, all common place terms.

Using the term 'the ick' would lose you friends, unless you're at primary school.

I agree! I really don't see an issue in using the term. It's not offensive, and just because something is a bit old fashioned doesn't mean that people must change the way they speak.

Topseyt123 · 07/03/2024 14:43

My BIL used to do this. Probably still does but we are virtually no contact with him now for many reasons.

It's derogatory and sexist. I'd be telling your DH to pack it in.

Megapint · 07/03/2024 14:38

Where's he from?. Everyone is bird where I live.

PToosher · 07/03/2024 14:14

It's common where I live, in the south.
Birds, chicks, blokes, geezers, all common place terms.

Using the term 'the ick' would lose you friends, unless you're at primary school.

the80sweregreat · 07/03/2024 14:08

Not heard that particular expression since the 70s or 80s! It was usually said in jest too.

bombastix · 07/03/2024 13:20

Well your husband is a twat, clearly.

K0OLA1D · 07/03/2024 11:30

Lorelaigilmore88 · 07/03/2024 11:09

Urgh that would give me the ick. I quite like most terms like love or sweetheart etc but 'birds' is just bleurgh. Why can't he just say ladies if he needs to refer to them collectively...

I'd prefer bird over lady eveytime

BobbyBiscuits · 07/03/2024 11:30

Grim. I used to know a guy like that, he though he was a such a top shagger, but women were repulsed by him. He also always used to call every woman 'babe', like in every sentence 'yes, babe, no babe...' I'm so pleased I have not seen/ spoke to him for several years!

GetBackIntoBedGerald · 07/03/2024 11:29

tuvamoodyson · 07/03/2024 11:11

You mean ‘burds’

Show quote history

Why the extra "r" 😄- "buds" here!

K0OLA1D · 07/03/2024 11:26

I say bird.

I'd say 'Is so and so's bird going so and so's wedding' or whatever.

It doesn't bother me if I'm referred to as bird either, or chick, or duck.

duckcalledbill · 07/03/2024 11:23

tuvamoodyson · 07/03/2024 11:11

You mean ‘burds’

Show quote history

Haha aye!

tuvamoodyson · 07/03/2024 11:11

duckcalledbill · 07/03/2024 10:42

I’d say it’s relatively common to hear women referred to as “birds” in Glasgow

You mean ‘burds’

KreedKafer · 07/03/2024 11:10

I don't think it's really any different from calling men 'lads' really.

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