Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Thread gallery
5
LGBirmingham · 17/08/2024 17:59

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Yes and it's about being powerful. Definitely a compliment.

twentysevendresses · 17/08/2024 17:58

RichardsGear · 17/08/2024 15:40

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

Same! I would love to be thought of as Amazonian - talk, strong, athletic. What's not to love??

However, I'm 5'3 and a 'bit dumpy'. I was once called 'chunky' which is REALLY not what you'd want to hear 😵‍💫🤣 Sadly it's true so I had to just suck it up 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Butwhybecause · 17/08/2024 17:57

I'd love to be Amazonian instead of short and a bit overweight.

I just need stretching

ricestardust · 17/08/2024 17:56

Describing you as Amazonian is a compliment... and, therefore, doesn't have to be true. The Amazons were fierce, beautiful, warrior women from Greek mythology. To describe someone as Amazonian relates more to their... aura or stature or confidence. In mythology, Amazons famously lopped off one breast to make it easier to draw their bows for battle. I doubt the complimenter was suggesting your chest looks lopsided.

Danglers · 17/08/2024 17:55

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

LGBirmingham · 17/08/2024 17:53

A definite compliment! Look up about the Amazon women from ancient Greek times. They were flipping awesome

SiobhanSharpe · 17/08/2024 17:51

bungaloid · 17/08/2024 16:40

Definition of Amazonian is the Dutch athlete Lieke Klaver.

She looks incredible, very strong but unmistakably female.
I think you sound great too, OP, all of us shortarses would love some of your height. And I bet you're not nearly as wobbly as you think.

5128gap · 17/08/2024 17:51

I think it means a woman who looks big strong and powerful. Should be a huge compliment, unless you believe the epitome of femininity is to be small and fragile, as some people do. So how its meant and how its recieved are pretty subjective.

HashBrownandBeans · 17/08/2024 17:49

I get called this all the time and it’s usually by shorter men, in a slightly negging tone.

I am 6ft, heavy but athletic. They are 100% terrified and fascinated and I’ve had it my whole life.

Nanana1 · 17/08/2024 17:49

yeah, you have to have a nice face

EscapingTheseFeelings · 17/08/2024 17:47

Definitely a compliment.
All the pictures on the thread are my idea of an Amazonian woman too. Tall, perfect figure, nice legs, good hair, attractive face, warrior-like.

Pineappleprep · 17/08/2024 17:45

I'd take it as a complement, Amazonian women are considered to be confident, beautiful, tall, large breasted. They are portrayed as warrior like in many arts.

Nanana1 · 17/08/2024 17:44

.

Described as Amazonian - is this an insult?
Nanana1 · 17/08/2024 17:44

Gisele would be Amazonian, Kate Moss wouldn't.

Gisele has Amazonian hair but is probably more slim hipped than Kate Moss!

This is what I picture

WhamBamThankU · 17/08/2024 17:44

I'm 5' 11 and have been called this too. Embrace it!

BruFord · 17/08/2024 17:42

Whatever it means exactly, you can rest assured that he meant it as a compliment, OP. A former “friend” of my DD’s once tried to put her down by suggesting that her then-boyfriend was only going out with her because of her “Amazonian” figure. DD responded that yes, her curves do attract a lot of attention 😂.

Original poster
bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 17:42

LuluBlakey1 · 17/08/2024 17:35

I lost quite a bit of weight several years ago by dieting and exercise. My GP said at the time , 'Well done. You'll never be very slim because you're not narrow, you have a rangy /rangey (?) frame. '
I have never been sure what that meant.

No idea what that means! I had my GP when doing some tests and doing height and weight and bmi he said I had a 'strong complex'. None the wiser there either...

OP posts:
TheGoogleMum · 17/08/2024 17:42

Definitely doesn't mean fat. Tall.

AuntieMarys · 17/08/2024 17:42

I am Amazonian and proud!!!
6 feet, size 14, 12 stone 7...I spin 3 times a week, 2 hours of weights and strength training and a yoga class. I'm mid 60s and in better shape than I was 20 years ago.
I've had years of negative comments about my height and now embrace it fully.
I love being slightly imposing 😀

Friendofdennis · 17/08/2024 17:40

It’s a compliment. You look impressive in some way.

Beautiful3 · 17/08/2024 17:40

Tall and athletic. It's a compliment.

Original poster
bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 17:38

keepitcalm · 17/08/2024 17:33

I would be careful using that term to someone's face as it could be taken the wrong way. To some it might mean big built but to others statuesque, strong and sexy! If the bloke you dated got flustered when questioned about his choice of phrase maybe he realises it could be construed as the opposite of 'dainty' and feminine (by old fashioned standards!). Was he a short, weedy guy?

Funny you say that - he said he was 6ft (they always do), and he was my height. I only ever wear Doc martens so it wasnt heels. Why do men do this on dates? Its so silly. Like we aren't going to be able to tell? I wonder if it is because most women are much shorter so maybe they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between 5'10 and 6ft. My husband of 20 years was 5'7" so I really dont care that much about height.

OP posts:
JuicyBlueberry · 17/08/2024 17:36

I used to get called a "handsome woman", a lot.
I did not find it complimentary.

What? I look like a bloke?

Didn't seem to stop men trying to get in my pants nor stop them attempting to feel me up.

I've also had, statuesque, imposing and the very lovely, "you, look like you could put me through a brick wall".

I had, "you were always a pretty LITTLE thing", once. That really fucking confused me.

My personal preference is to keep opinions of other people's bodies to myself.

It's easy to look these things up and find out what the should mean. It's quite a different matter to work out if that matches your own body though because we don't necessarily see our own self the way others do. So maybe don't criticise OP for being unsure.

backspace2 · 17/08/2024 17:36

It doesn't mean fat, the amazon women were warriors!

LuluBlakey1 · 17/08/2024 17:35

I lost quite a bit of weight several years ago by dieting and exercise. My GP said at the time , 'Well done. You'll never be very slim because you're not narrow, you have a rangy /rangey (?) frame. '
I have never been sure what that meant.

Swipe left for the next trending thread