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Original poster

Described as Amazonian - is this an insult?

214 replies

bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 15:39

So many times throughout my adult life I have had my figure being described as 'Amazonian' to my face. I never really understood what it meant, and it just happened again today. I actually asked the person this time what it meant, and they sort of fumbled about looked embarrassed and looked flustered and kept muttering things like, 'big' and 'strong presence'....and it all got a bit awkward. So I'm just curious - is this an insult? a compliment? Ive tried to google it and I'm none the wiser.

Does it mean I look overweight?

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AmIEnough · 21/08/2024 08:06

In my head, it means tall with a large frame but not fat. In my mind it also means a lack of femininity although I may be wrong, that’s just my interpretation. I don’t think I would be happy at being called this and people should keep their opinions to themselves quite frankly.

Madrigal12 · 20/08/2024 16:13

It means you could fit in a jiffy bag and through a letterbox !

Original poster
bigkahunaburger · 19/08/2024 15:15

tribalmango · 18/08/2024 21:46

23 isn't a low BMI, it's in the upper half of the healthy range. 11 stone 6 at 5' 10".

It's a perfectly healthy weight, but certainly not low.

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Agree. Again, its certainly not a humble brag Im actually feeling rather insecure and sensitive about this tbh, but I am new to dating again after 20 years so I think its normal to struggle a bit with self-love right now. I do think people can be technically a healthy weight and still appear overweight/chunky/chubby whatever you want to call it due to body shape. Some people can have skinny arms and legs, be a healthy weight and dress size, but have a large tummy so they may look overweight to some. In my case, its the opposite as all my weight is on my arms, legs and cheeks! - but no weight goes on my waist and stomach, despite having 4 kids. Believe me, Im not lying when I say my legs and arms are really chunky, wobbly and cellulitey. Its just how Im made. So no, not a humble brag. Im describing my shape and height because I was trying to ascertain if maybe I do indeed look overweight due to my body shape, and thats why Im being referred to as amazonian - because I look 'big'. I do not look athletic, so I dont meet the typical definition of tall, strong, athletic. What I look like is what I think is described as extreme hourglass and tall.

Maybe I do need to be a lower BMI to look a healthy weight. But saying that, Ive been a lower BMI and I still had chunky arms and legs. And besides Im useless at dieting and exercising so its never gonna happen anyways.

OP posts:
Madrigal12 · 19/08/2024 12:57

I wouldnt think they meant it as an insult, but perhaps they could have explained it better to reinforce their view.

LadeOde · 19/08/2024 09:54

@Morganrae1& @Woofie7

I get what you're saying but this is in the context of a 'date'. Would you really find it complimentary to be described by your date as strong & formidable there's a big difference between a friend at a sporting event describing you as 'warrior goddess' and your date describing you as 'Amazonian', it's kind of masculinising OP and this is what i think she doesn't like about it.

Morganrae1 · 19/08/2024 02:06

I'd say it means strong and formidable. Depends on your take on it. I don't think I'd be insulted, more a compliment.

Woofie7 · 18/08/2024 22:43

I say this to a friend.
she plays rugby is tall athletic beautiful not an ounce of fat on her. I would love to have her figure. Think warrior goddess

tennesseewhiskey1 · 18/08/2024 21:55

I mean - come on op - it sounds a bit of a humble brag tbh -🤨 but no, I very much doubt they meant it as an insult. 5’10
is pretty tall.

tribalmango · 18/08/2024 21:46

THisbackwithavengeance · 17/08/2024 15:56

Lol OP, stop humble bragging. 5'10" with low BMI, small waist and big tits with the faux Am I Fat Question? Well obvs not

23 isn't a low BMI, it's in the upper half of the healthy range. 11 stone 6 at 5' 10".

It's a perfectly healthy weight, but certainly not low.

Mumoftwochildrenand6furkids · 18/08/2024 20:48

Dont think thats an insult, Iv never been called it but i though it just ment tall and strong something im not at 5,2 and 8 stones Im more like weakling lol.

fetchacloth · 18/08/2024 20:38

Tall, strong, muscular and possibly curvy.
It's not an insult. Well I hope not as that's me also 😅

Powderblue1 · 18/08/2024 20:36

I would automatically think tall and lean. I'd see it as a compliment tbh

Thalia31 · 18/08/2024 20:35

THisbackwithavengeance · 17/08/2024 15:56

Lol OP, stop humble bragging. 5'10" with low BMI, small waist and big tits with the faux Am I Fat Question? Well obvs not

Exactly

LadeOde · 18/08/2024 20:13

bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 16:56

Context was on a first date with a guy and he said, 'wow you are so amazonian'. When I asked what he meant he floundered and flustered and looked uncomfortable so i changed the subject.

In the past men have said it to me and I never really knew how to take it. If i questioned it they would say I was 'big' or 'big-framed' or something like that. Like people here I thought it meant tall and athletic - so really toned strong looking women. And thats what google says too, so i always pictured female basketball player types or like serena williams. My figure is nothing like that so my google searches left me none the wiser. Im tall and very curvy/wobbly - hourglass. So it never made sense to me why I was being referred to in that way.

I think it is interesting that there are a few posters who have figures like mine who have had the same descriptor. So clearly although people here are saying it means tall and athletic, to some men it doesn't mean that (which is the correct meaning) it also means 'tall and very curvy".

I'm not sure I like it, and Im still unclear if he meant it as a compliment or not, but I am going to try and embrace it. I am what I am afterall!

Show quote history

Whatever your date meant it to mean, and i know most have interpreted it positively here. Still, it's how you feel that matters, and none of us were there when it was said to gauge whether it was truly meant as a compliment(tone of voice or expression at the time missing) if you don't like it just say you'd rather not be compared to an amazon thank you.

Saying that I'm surprised no one has mentioned Gwendoline Christine (Brienne of Tarth) now that's an Amazon for you.

NoLongerNHS · 18/08/2024 20:02

The Amazons were warrior women -and fearsome. I think they even cut off one of their breasts to be able to use their bows and arrows more easily. It means tall, strong, atheletic - so very much a complement. Nothing to do with fat. Unless someone is misusing it.

MMUmum · 18/08/2024 19:26

My Dd is 5'2", she did a lot of swimming right up until uni, hence she has broad shoulders and strong arms and legs with a,small waist, I call her amazonian, like a warrior princess

Jumpingthruhoops · 18/08/2024 19:08

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 17/08/2024 16:16

I used to get called this- can't say I liked it, and I'm only 5'7 ffs.

I'm 5'7" which is definitely tall for a woman. I've been called this in the past - I'm tall and slim so not necessarily Amazonian in stature but personality wise, I'm fairly confident, direct and not afraid to call out BS. So think it was for all these things combined.

LlamaDuke · 18/08/2024 19:07

I would think tall, strong and statuesque - so not an insult.

vickylou78 · 18/08/2024 19:03

Blimey Op that's definitely a compliment. Have you not seen Wonder Woman? She's an Amazon warrior and all the women in that film are absolutely stunning, athletic, tall, strong etc.

Leedsfan247 · 18/08/2024 18:58

Amazonian is extremely attractive 😀

Jumpingthruhoops · 18/08/2024 18:56

Itsallsostressful · 17/08/2024 15:45

Yip Naomi Campbell, Hannah Waddingham...strong tall women. I'd say very much a compliment ☺️

Ah yes Hannah Waddingham, totally forgot about her. She is DEFINITELY an Amazon - in the way she looks, carries herself + strong personality and attitude.

Also, love how she called out sexist photographers at the BAFTAs a while back for telling her to 'show some leg'. She well and truly put them in their place... and did it like a lady. She's an absolute Goddess!

Jumpingthruhoops · 18/08/2024 18:44

It's a huge compliment. It means you are impressive as a woman; strong/striking in stature, looks, personality and attitude. You always get stuck into things and nothing really fazes you. That's my understanding anyway.

Women I'd describe as 'an Amazon' are Beyonce, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Lopez but there are of course countless others.

VerbenaGirl · 18/08/2024 18:44

I’d bloody love to be called Amazonian - tall, strong, powerful, stunning.

Mylifesadrama · 18/08/2024 18:27

I feel you! The best man at our wedding referred to me as being an Amazonian woman in our wedding speech!! He meant it as I’m tall, and was noticeably so when he first met me for the first time (my husband is shorter than I am). I did find it uncomfortable to say the least, but I’m sure he meant no offence.

BunnyLake · 18/08/2024 18:21

I’d probably describe Brooke Shields as Amazonian.

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