STOP calling people "a Karen"

PaperwhiteTheFriendlyGhost · 2025-03-24T07:50:10+00:00

Why are people so lazy and ignorant? Ironically they use it in some instances to berate someone for a perceived insult. Maybe this should be on Pedants' Corner, I don't know.

Kelly1969 · 27/07/2025 00:03

JandamiHash · 26/03/2025 16:32

No, it’s a name, it’s been stolen by half wits and misogynists who are gaslighting the world into believing that women are The Problem.

Show quote history

What a totally ridiculous argument!
perhaps if “anotherparkingthread”s name was used in place of “Karen” they may think differently!

language evolution-b#llox!

surreygirl1987 · 22/07/2025 23:20

TheaBrandt1 · 26/04/2025 19:33

So for example if you get on a train and people are sitting in your pre- booked seat so as not to be a “Karen” any woman that isnt a perky and gorgeous twenty something has to meekly stand in the aisle to avoid being dubbed a “Karen”. But if a man speaks up that’s fine. Got it.

This. It is a tool for silencing women, specifically. Men can assert themselves with nobody batting an eyelid. A woman asserting herself or (godforbid) having an opinion? Must be a 'Karen' and in need of shutting up.

Original poster

PaperwhiteTheFriendlyGhost · 22/07/2025 23:18

TVqueen20 · 22/07/2025 20:25

The name will disappear. No one will ever give their baby that name because of the (unfair) negative association.My Mum would be so sad, she loved it.

Is your mum called Karen?

OP posts:

TVqueen20 · 22/07/2025 20:25

The name will disappear. No one will ever give their baby that name because of the (unfair) negative association.My Mum would be so sad, she loved it.

Original poster

PaperwhiteTheFriendlyGhost · 22/07/2025 20:20

It's not alright to use this to anyone.

OP posts:

Kelly1969 · 22/07/2025 19:26

Stellaris22 · 24/03/2025 08:32

A lot of the times when people talk about ‘shutting women up’ it’s usually because their behaviour has been called out and they don’t like it.

If you feel so personally attacked then maybe think about why someone has questioned your behaviour.

Obviously it’s not ok to insult someone but I understand why this term is used having seen the verbal abuse and derogatory way staff are treated.

You’re making it about you, it’s not exclusively used in retail against staff?
plenty of people are rude, white, black, brown, male, female, old and young, why is it okay to adapt this insult to one group of people/women?

AmIthatSpringy · 26/04/2025 20:00

MixedBananas · 26/04/2025 06:04

It is not a slur omg people need to chill. They also have it for men. It is Daren!
As a nearly 40 year old woman I am not offended because I dont behave that way.
It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes.

You posted the same thing at the start of this thread

Haven't you read ANY of the posts?

TheaBrandt1 · 26/04/2025 19:33

So for example if you get on a train and people are sitting in your pre- booked seat so as not to be a “Karen” any woman that isnt a perky and gorgeous twenty something has to meekly stand in the aisle to avoid being dubbed a “Karen”. But if a man speaks up that’s fine. Got it.

SpunkyDuck · 26/04/2025 19:25

This reply has been deleted

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

StMarie4me · 26/04/2025 15:15

Totally agree. It’s a way of trying to negate a woman’s opinion, whatever the circumstances.

TVqueen20 · 26/04/2025 14:19

MixedBananas · 26/04/2025 06:04

It is not a slur omg people need to chill. They also have it for men. It is Daren!
As a nearly 40 year old woman I am not offended because I dont behave that way.
It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes.

1)It most definitely is a slur
2)Even if there is a 'Daren' it doesn't make it right
3)it doesn't matter if you aren't offended, it probably isn't affecting you personally, and no one wants their name to be associated with racism, bullying, being difficult etc through no fault of their own

'It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes'
Unbelievable...

You really don't get it

TVqueen20 · 26/04/2025 14:11

RhaenysRocks · 26/04/2025 11:05

@MixedBananas so you've never sent food back because it was cold or not what you ordered? Never asked to speak to someone who has the seniority to make a call on your refund for a broken item? Never refused to do something that was way outside of your job spec for no return? Never asked someone to turn their music down or move from your booked seat? All can be done as politely, quietly and courteously as you could imagine but will result in an older woman being called a Karen, to deflect and dismiss the issue.

100% this

RhaenysRocks · 26/04/2025 11:05

@MixedBananas so you've never sent food back because it was cold or not what you ordered? Never asked to speak to someone who has the seniority to make a call on your refund for a broken item? Never refused to do something that was way outside of your job spec for no return? Never asked someone to turn their music down or move from your booked seat? All can be done as politely, quietly and courteously as you could imagine but will result in an older woman being called a Karen, to deflect and dismiss the issue.

RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 26/04/2025 09:14

MixedBananas · 26/04/2025 06:04

It is not a slur omg people need to chill. They also have it for men. It is Daren!
As a nearly 40 year old woman I am not offended because I dont behave that way.
It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes.

No they don’t, Darren isn’t a thing

nor all the other male names people have mentioned…I have even seen men called Karen, its not an equal thing at all

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 26/04/2025 07:25

MixedBananas · 26/04/2025 06:04

It is not a slur omg people need to chill. They also have it for men. It is Daren!
As a nearly 40 year old woman I am not offended because I dont behave that way.
It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes.

So as someone with a friend called Karen who has the piss taken out of her bow because of her name, by adults, you think if she or I get angry about this, then it’s our problem?

Perhaps try considering the reasons why so many of us have an issue with this name used this way.

Pemba · 26/04/2025 06:24

@MixedBananas it is absolutely a slur and no , 'Darren' is not a thing. You know that really. This is just aimed at older women, at 40 you probably didn't grow up with people named Karen, same age as you. I am 60 and there were loads of Karens at school. Just as likely to be nice people or not as anyone else.Just an ordinary name.

Imagine if you had an older sister or even your mum or auntie named Karen, and how upsetting it would be for them to have their perfectly normal name turned into a nasty joke. Why can't you see that?

It is just used against any older woman who speaks up about anything.

As you enter middle age you will find it's you next. They might change the name used to get at older women to Emma, Laura, Natasha, Jessica or whatever your name is. How will you feel then?

MixedBananas · 26/04/2025 06:04

It is not a slur omg people need to chill. They also have it for men. It is Daren!
As a nearly 40 year old woman I am not offended because I dont behave that way.
It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes.

AgileLilacScroller · 26/04/2025 03:21

This reply has been deleted

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

Springtimehere · 26/04/2025 03:20

This reply has been deleted

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

LoftyLemonCat · 26/04/2025 03:02

This reply has been deleted

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

AgileLilacScroller · 26/04/2025 03:02

This reply has been deleted

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

MrsKeats · 25/04/2025 21:32

I hate it too. Misogynistic and ageist crap.

surreygirl1987 · 25/04/2025 20:41

TVqueen20 · 25/04/2025 12:12

Saw an advert last night, think it was paddy power? Couple holding a newborn baby, looking at her adoringly, pretty sure they said
'Let's call her Karen'.....
(Wrinkle of nose)
'Let's not.....'
(Laughing)
😕

Noooooo! That's awful!

TVqueen20 · 25/04/2025 12:12

Saw an advert last night, think it was paddy power? Couple holding a newborn baby, looking at her adoringly, pretty sure they said
'Let's call her Karen'.....
(Wrinkle of nose)
'Let's not.....'
(Laughing)
😕

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 27/03/2025 17:25

@NeedWineNow that tells you everything about those people.