Why are people using the made up word rapey?

Totally agree.
A man who I thought was a decent fella said to me the other day "Ah I was sweating like a rapist" wtf! It just goes to show how long people have gotten away with using language like that they don't even try to hide it..

I have been raped and I don’t have an issue with the word. I agree with a PP that I think it’s actually good that it makes people aware what you mean when you say a person is dodgy.
I also don’t really see how it diminishes rape.

It’s fine you don’t like it, but this is what language does.

It’s a way of conveying a lot on information into a short word. That was my point in using the example I chose. There’s not really a similar word, or not one sufficiently charged that I can think of off the top of my head, which is probably why ‘rapey’ is being used.

All words are made up. ‘Rapey’ is a natural linguistic progression word in the same vein as ‘movie’ or ‘jumpy’. The pictures moved so they were movies, you made me jump so I am jumpy. You seem like you might be capable of rape so you’re rapey. On a purely linguistic level it’s very normal and common to do this.

All words start off made up. The word ‘smog’ didn’t exist 150 years ago. They needed a new word so they made one. Most of us know what ‘smog’ means.

Most of us can get the gist of ‘rapey’.

I’ve never heard an actual rapist referred to as rapey.

I've heard sexually aggressive behaviour referred to as rapey. Or coercive language as rapey. Or specific creepy behaviour, stuff that ‘creepy’ doesn’t quite fully convey because there’s a sexual undertone, as rapey.

I don’t think it diminishes the word ‘rape’. I don’t think it’s a flippant word. I’ve not heard it used in any way other than to warn people off someone who is felt to be a cause for concern, and to be avoided.

I think 'creepy' and 'dodgy' are even more minimising when it comes to describing sexual predatory behaviour.

Haunted houses are creepy, Del Boy is dodgy.

Neither of those things point towards a potential rapist.

But people aren’t using ‘rapey’ to describe an actual rape

“Creepy” and “dodgy” don’t really communicate the same thing. Is your neighbor “creepy” because he tries to lure children into his house, or “creepy” because he puts up the goriest Halloween decorations and has a zombie tattooed on his arm?

As an American, my first exposure to the word “dodgy” was in Harry Potter books, where it wasn’t being used to describe anything sexually predatory at all. Like, “Don’t eat that sweet - I think it’s one of Fred and George’s dodgy ones that explodes.”

No its not.
Language matters.

Language changes. The amount of kids who describe people as paedos for even looking their way. I don’t believe it diminishes the act. PTSD is thrown about. OCD, I’m a bit autistic/adhd, I have anxiety. The list is endless.

I have 3 children and work in a school. Maybe I’m just immune to hearing it all now.

I don't like it as I do think it minimises and the "bit" indicating a scale doesn't sit right with me.
I think predatory is a better word to use which conveys the same meaning

Yeah, exactly. Like, “I used to be a big fan of Celebrity X, until he made that rapey ‘joke’ about giving women enough drinks to make them ‘friendly.’”

It's fucking horrible isn't it. I saw it used on another thread earlier and it made me raise an eyebrow but I didn't reply to that post. I thought everything you are saying when I read it.

Massively disrespectful to victims of rape, it belittles the seriousness of the crime and it's lasting effects.

It's only been recently I've been able to type the word & frankly even in wordle I avoid anything that could wind up with the letters '_rape' on the screen, cos it happened once & it was really triggering. So please do not assume things about me, or anyone for that matter, it's breathtakingly disrespectful & I was not being so to you.

And no, neither dodgy or creepy are strong enough & the usage is too old.

I have been a victim. And I don’t have a problem with the term (albeit it has the potential to be misused, much like gaslighting has been). I think it captures behaviour that is indicative of a predatory nature or might lead one to believe the person might commit an offence.

See I think this is the problem. Rape is rape. There is something dangerous about making rape sound like there is a scale. 'A bit rapey'. No. There is raped or not raped.

I’ve been raped, and I don’t like it.

To be it diminishes the word. I’d rather people described the behaviour more accurately so ‘He’s acting in a predatory way’ or ‘The behaviour is threatening and makes me feel unsafe’ even ‘I worry he might sexually assault someone’

There are so many other powerful words to use, turning to ‘rapey’ seems to make the act less significant.

I get what you're saying but I think it has its place, especially for calling out behalf which, as Pp have said, is different to just dodgy. It's a very specific & significant word & tbh it's one I've seen men use against other men. How else could you describe a behaviour particularly.

If someone told me a guy was a bit dodgy I'd watch myself around them. We're they to use rapey, then I'd stay away completely. Again! Totally see why you feel as you do & respect that.