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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?

OP posts:
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Hatty65 · 18/08/2024 17:25

theduchessofspork · 17/08/2024 16:59

If’s ‘you could pull a plough’ round here.

Not an insult at all.

Strong thighs..

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Oh I'd forgotten that one! Not heard it for years. It's the sort of thing my grandad used to say, 😂

BurbageBrook · 18/08/2024 11:19

Yeah it is a compliment. A cheesy ex of mine used to call me an Amazonian goddess. I am not, and I'm not even that tall 😂 just slightly above average. But he definitely meant it nicely!

Original poster
bigkahunaburger · 18/08/2024 11:02

Well I guess he did mean it as a compliment. He messaged me multiple times last night and this morning. Ive politely said Im not interested by hes not getting the message. Lying about his height was an instant turnoff, and he didn't make me laugh (hugely important to me). But in relation to the thread I guess its clear that this guy meant it as a compliment. Cant be sure about others, but I will take it as a compliment in the future - thank you everyone. Unfortunately us women always seem to want what we dont have hey - Ive always craved to look and feel dainty and feminine. Would love to be 5ft with tiny feet and hands! I always feel like the big giant of the group and it doesn't feel good. But now Im back out on the dating scene, I am going to make a concerted effort to love myself! Work in progress...

OP posts:
CrotchetyQuaver · 18/08/2024 10:15

I've only ever come across one woman in my life I described as Amazonian. She was about 6'2", figure to die for, beautiful face and hair, amazing long legs. She was size and weight wise proportionate to her height, probably a size 14. A beautiful woman. Amazonian just described her best, it most definitely wasn't an insult!

Herecomethesunnydaze · 18/08/2024 10:09

Racquel Welch was Amazonian. Tall strong hourglass figure.

Createausername1970 · 18/08/2024 09:56

The Amazons were, from memory, a race of warrior women in greek mythology. They were strong, independent women who didn't need men to succeed. They kicked ass. Bring It On.

Original mumsnetters? 😁

I am unclear how they had babies and what happened to the male offspring.

I would be very happy to be described as Amazonian. But it's unlikely as I am 5'2 and chubby and don't like confrontation.

Maddy70 · 18/08/2024 09:47

Tall athletic striking

Its a compliment isnt it?

Maddy70 · 18/08/2024 09:47

Tall athletic striking

Its a compliment isnt it?

AndyandTerrysMum · 18/08/2024 09:43

RichardsGear · 17/08/2024 15:40

I always understood it to be shorthand for a tall, strong, athletic, almost imposing woman.

Yes, that’s the way I would take it.

Possibly similar to ‘statuesque’?

Funnywonder · 18/08/2024 09:26

I remember going to see a consultant about a skin problem when I was about 14 or 15. I was extremely self conscious about it. At the end of the appointment, the doctor (female) described me as 'a very handsome girl.' My mum thought it was a strange thing to say and couldn't get her head round it. I was absolutely delighted and understood that she was paying me a compliment that kind of fitted. I am large framed, with big hands and feet, on the taller side (5' 7") and could definitely have been mistaken for athletic back then, even though I wasn't. No danger of that these days🤣 I certainly wasn't 'pretty' in a conventional way.

boredybored · 18/08/2024 07:27

@BruFord I'm not saying I don't understand the reference . I'm saying that's the context I've heard it in . Not as a compliment

Goldenbear · 18/08/2024 01:00

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 17/08/2024 15:47

Wonder Woman is Amazonian so...

Yes, I was about to post this.

Codlingmoths · 18/08/2024 00:57

its a bit old school warrior type hence the busty connotations, so not quite the modern female athlete shape. Serena Williams is definitely Amazonian by definition but doesn’t have the curvy figure that’s also associated with it.

Gowlett · 18/08/2024 00:52

Grace Jones is Amazonian to my mind.

Mmhmmn · 18/08/2024 00:44

No it’s a clumsy thing to describe anyone’s figure to them and generally should be avoided I think.
but I think it’s usually meant as a compliment, like kind of athletic / mythical Olympian sort of presence.

Justleaveitblankthen · 18/08/2024 00:37

Itsallsostressful · 17/08/2024 15:45

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

Yes, Hannah Waddingham popped immediately into my head.
She also has a fab attitude and takes no messing about from anyone 😁

BruFord · 17/08/2024 23:46

boredybored · 17/08/2024 20:20

Are you very talll and quite 'well covered '? I think it's an insult if you are as I have known it to mean stocky and tall and takes up a lot of space type way .

I hope you aren't and it isn't though

@boredybored Amazon were strong, athletic warriors though so presumably the description doesn’t mean unfit and overweight!

Tall, strong and muscular perhaps?

boredybored · 17/08/2024 20:20

Are you very talll and quite 'well covered '? I think it's an insult if you are as I have known it to mean stocky and tall and takes up a lot of space type way .

I hope you aren't and it isn't though

KeirSpoutsTwaddle · 17/08/2024 20:16

It’s about being in proportion.

So you have the elfin types- all slender and narrow and tall. Like petite but stretched to tall.
Then you have the farmer types, large framed- Broad shoulders, wide back and hips.

It sounds as though you are normally proportioned but on a larger scale. Not overweight, not skinny, totally normal, but tall and therefore wider to stay in proportion.

I’m similar but only 5’6. I’ve always looked stocky/overweight. My friend who had exactly the same waist bust and hip measurement but was an inch taller with narrower back looked like a goddess. She was more boob and less back, all on a slightly taller frame.

Subtle differences make a massive difference.

But Amazonian is a compliment. I’d lean into it and adopt a gimlet gaze and require a strong man to match.

LightSpeeds · 17/08/2024 20:15

Tall and powerful. If I've ever thought it about anyone, it's as a big compliment.

Loubelle70 · 17/08/2024 20:14

I was called a amazonian warrior ..im 5ft lol...i think its because im forthright , strong willed, a fighter (as in for things that matter, injustuce etc) , slightly muscular...thats what i took from it.

Onelifeonly · 17/08/2024 20:12

I've always seen it as meaning tall, well proportioned and attractive, so given you are tall, I'd say it's a compliment. I think my boss would fit the description well - she is tall, glamorous looking and certainly attractive.

tribalmango · 17/08/2024 20:12

It's not just tall, strong, athletic IMO.
It's a certain size as well, eg as a PP says, Serena Williams. Or Olympic swimmers and rowers.

I don't think you'd call an Olympic high jumper Amazonian despite being tall, strong and athletic, as they are also very lean. Eilish McColgan - same. Tall and strong, not Amazonian IMO.

tribalmango · 17/08/2024 20:07

Nanana1 · 17/08/2024 19:13

I’m not sure how you can be chubby at 5ft 10 & BMI of 23?

If your natural BMI is say 19, then 23 could well look chubby. I know I would.

ohyesido · 17/08/2024 20:06

It just means tall, possibly big boobs and feet? I don’t think it’s derogatory but possibly a back handed compliment

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