Page 5 | Described as Amazonian - is this an insult?

bigkahunaburger · 2024-08-17T14:39:11+00:00

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?

DaisyChain505 · 17/08/2024 17:34

I have a friend that I describe as Amazonian.

she’s absolutely beautiful and has an amazing figure.

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?

jasminocereusbritannicus · 17/08/2024 17:33

Amazonian = a strapping lass; usually tall and of strong-looking appearance, in my opinion. Maybe, a bit over-whelming?
I would not say its an insult at all.

Danglers · 17/08/2024 17:33

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BruFord · 17/08/2024 17:32

SaintHonoria · 17/08/2024 17:27

Amazonian to me means a big woman in stature. Someone like Julie T Wallace.

The more unflattering description would be 'built like a brick shithouse'.

@SaintHonoria Hmm, would the brick shithouse description imply that they were overweight and unfit though?

The Amazons in Greek mythology were athletic and physically powerful warriors. They weren’t unfit!

desperatedaysareover · 17/08/2024 17:27

bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 17:18

Is 'thicc' also 'thin/thick'? - that is what my teens say I am. Which apparently is good nowadays. In my youth this would have been the worst thing ever. The 90s lowrise jeans with your hip bones protruding was all the rage.

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Yes! Am pleased when I see the girls that the boys my son’s age fancy, they look healthy, and wear whatever they want too. I just wanted to be rail-thin, never managed to see my hipbones even in the grip of some really disordered behaviour😳

SaintHonoria · 17/08/2024 17:27

Amazonian to me means a big woman in stature. Someone like Julie T Wallace.

The more unflattering description would be 'built like a brick shithouse'.

dessyh · 17/08/2024 17:26

Gisele would be Amazonian, Kate Moss wouldn't.

PrawnofthePatriarchy · 17/08/2024 17:24

I would describe the tennis star Williams sisters as Amazonian. The Amazons were a mythical tribe of warrior women. So lithe, muscular and impressive.

DustyYogaMat · 17/08/2024 17:24

I’ve been called statuesque by men and I’m 5’1!! I have excellent posture so maybe that’s what was meant but men are not great indicators of such things. Some men have a thing for giant stacked women and equate that with ‘Amazonian’ even though it isn’t correct.

Nanana1 · 17/08/2024 17:23

Tall, strong, not skinny, powerful, womanly etc. think 90s supermodels or Wonder Woman people.

Original poster

bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 17:18

desperatedaysareover · 17/08/2024 17:13

I used to go out with a lovely fella who liked what he described as ‘sturdy’ girls. Big arms, broad hips. I was about the thinnest women he’d ever dated so was mortally insulted, this was also 2002 so we were all obsessed by trying to look as thin as possible. He was an early adopter of the concept of ‘thicc’ 😂. And, no word of a lie, he ended up married to a circus acrobat, she could have held my fat ass over her head!

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Is 'thicc' also 'thin/thick'? - that is what my teens say I am. Which apparently is good nowadays. In my youth this would have been the worst thing ever. The 90s lowrise jeans with your hip bones protruding was all the rage.

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OfficerChurlish · 17/08/2024 17:17

I've mostly heard it to mean tall, regardless of other factors - either unusually tall "for a woman", or a woman/girl who's relatively tall versus people around her (family, friend group, etc.) I went to school with two best friends nicknamed Amazon and Pygmy. Neither one was freakishly tall or short - roughly 5'2" and 5'9" - but as they were always together the height difference was noticeable. (Personally, I'd rather be called Amazon, by far!)

There's also Amazon attitude - independent, fierce, self-sufficient, dominant assertive - see Kirsty MacColl's song "Us Amazonians".

Notamum12345577 · 17/08/2024 17:16

Think Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman

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bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 17:14

desperatedaysareover · 17/08/2024 17:09

I’ve had this. I take it as a compliment, I’ve been thin and athletic and as the years go by quite a bit of a unit, but am definitely a presence. From your self-description you sound like what I’ve heard described as a proper armful hahahaha

Oh god thats awful! Lol. Worst insult I got was from a guy who said, 'well i would struggle to throw you around the bedroom!' Just for that he never got the chance to try. 😂

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desperatedaysareover · 17/08/2024 17:13

meganorks · 17/08/2024 17:04

Compliment obviously! I think it means tall, statuesque, striking looks, strong, maybe muscular. Think olympic athlete.

I once got described as 'sturdy'. Like a fucking wall! They tried to claim it was a compliment. Definitely wasn't
I wish I was Amazonian

I used to go out with a lovely fella who liked what he described as ‘sturdy’ girls. Big arms, broad hips. I was about the thinnest women he’d ever dated so was mortally insulted, this was also 2002 so we were all obsessed by trying to look as thin as possible. He was an early adopter of the concept of ‘thicc’ 😂. And, no word of a lie, he ended up married to a circus acrobat, she could have held my fat ass over her head!

Original poster

bigkahunaburger · 17/08/2024 17:12

Andante67 · 17/08/2024 17:09

Why would she ask if she knew this already?

(Yes, "you must know this" is my most hated MN phrase)

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I know - its so fucking annoying.

And I did kinda know what google said at least - but Im not athletic or athletic looking so it didn't fit - hence the confusion.

Im so pleased I wrote the post because now I understand it more.

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LunaBear26 · 17/08/2024 17:11

When I was in labour (and on the gas and air!), I said to one of the midwives that they were like an amazonian goddess! They were tall and slim and so beautiful! Definitely a compliment, I think!

EC22 · 17/08/2024 17:10

Tall & strong, not an insult.

desperatedaysareover · 17/08/2024 17:09

I’ve had this. I take it as a compliment, I’ve been thin and athletic and as the years go by quite a bit of a unit, but am definitely a presence. From your self-description you sound like what I’ve heard described as a proper armful hahahaha

Andante67 · 17/08/2024 17:09

StormingNorman · 17/08/2024 15:43

It means tall and strong. You must know this already.

Why would she ask if she knew this already?

(Yes, "you must know this" is my most hated MN phrase)

DoopSnoggySnogg · 17/08/2024 17:08

Makes me think of the fabulous Sharron Davies MBE who was on Gladiators in the 90s with the nickname Amazon 💪

tinydynamine · 17/08/2024 17:06

Think Grace Jones in her 1980s prime.

susiedaisy1912 · 17/08/2024 17:06

mirrensidhe · 17/08/2024 16:51

I'd take that as a compliment, your presence is powerful.

Agree.

meganorks · 17/08/2024 17:04

Compliment obviously! I think it means tall, statuesque, striking looks, strong, maybe muscular. Think olympic athlete.

I once got described as 'sturdy'. Like a fucking wall! They tried to claim it was a compliment. Definitely wasn't
I wish I was Amazonian