Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

STOP calling people "a Karen"

385 replies

PaperwhiteTheFriendlyGhost · 24/03/2025 07:50

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.

OP posts:
tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 25/03/2025 07:39

SailorSerena · 24/03/2025 21:21

It doesn't bother me. It's just a name for a stereotype which does exist.

You'll all be coming for the "I want to see the manager haircut" next.

Guessing your name isn’t Karen?! 😳

BonnieBug · 25/03/2025 07:39

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 24/03/2025 07:52

It's become a way to silence women. So far from its original usage. Now if you do anything other than stay meek and silent and take it up the arse in all situations, you're the dreaded Karen.

It was always a way to silence women! Whoever made it up is a nasty piece of work.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 25/03/2025 07:36

SailorSerena · 25/03/2025 07:20

It must be a generational thing. I've never seen anyone complain about it anywhere other than Mumsnet.

No one in my generation is called Karen and we all grew up with interest memes which is where this came from.

Dismissive, ageist, lazy thinking. You too will grow old.

JHound · 25/03/2025 07:28

Depends on how it is being used. In the stupid way it has been hijacked by stupid people - I roll my eyes and criticise it.

In the original sense I have no issue with.

I only really see the misogynistic sense online. In real life I mainly heard it used as it was coined to call out certain gendered expressions of racism.

(I also find it bemusing which names are viewed as to be protected from ridicule and which are not….)

ThePoshUns · 25/03/2025 07:26

SailorSerena · 25/03/2025 07:20

It must be a generational thing. I've never seen anyone complain about it anywhere other than Mumsnet.

No one in my generation is called Karen and we all grew up with interest memes which is where this came from.

Oh well Serena that makes it all ok. Thank you for your helpful contributions.

DustyLee123 · 25/03/2025 07:24

homehaircut · 24/03/2025 08:15

I also hate Debbie downer, it just has to be a woman's name, doesn't it?

Exactly, it’s always having a go at women. Especially hate it when women say it.

ThePoshUns · 25/03/2025 07:23

EddyF · 25/03/2025 02:36

Mumsnet hates this Karen business. I think for most, they see themselves (especially age) and it causes them this anger that a name has been put for a lot of behaviour they display. Anyway, it was hijacked from the US. Red faced women calling the police every time they saw Black/Brown people having fun/minding their business.

Lots of names are stereotypical. Why should this one stand out?

Could you given some examples of this please?

SailorSerena · 25/03/2025 07:20

It must be a generational thing. I've never seen anyone complain about it anywhere other than Mumsnet.

No one in my generation is called Karen and we all grew up with interest memes which is where this came from.

JamSandwich27 · 25/03/2025 07:01

I find it’s used by a certain ‘type’ of person. To put it bluntly, someone who if they had more than two brain cells, you could call it a party up there 🥳 If anyone uses the term ‘Karen’ on here or any other site I use, I immediately scroll on by and never take any of their posts seriously again.

RhaenysRocks · 25/03/2025 06:58

EddyF · 25/03/2025 02:36

Mumsnet hates this Karen business. I think for most, they see themselves (especially age) and it causes them this anger that a name has been put for a lot of behaviour they display. Anyway, it was hijacked from the US. Red faced women calling the police every time they saw Black/Brown people having fun/minding their business.

Lots of names are stereotypical. Why should this one stand out?

First of all, as has been explained a few times now, it gets used any time a woman over 30 tries to assert their point of view in the face of poor service or similar. That's not "behaviour" and not something a man would be criticised for. It's irrelevant what the wiki definition is, it's usage that matters and as with the teenager example above, it is now used to try and shut up "bloody difficult women" when actually in the majority of cases women are doing no more than a poorly treated man would. No one denies that entitled and unreasonable behaviour exists but labelling it with a stereotype name is upsetting for those who have that name and misogynistic in general. If someone is being entitled and unreasonable, call them that.

RhaenysRocks · 25/03/2025 06:52

LizaRadleywasonthespectrum · 25/03/2025 05:09

Yet the same women who complain about using Karen as a slur quite happily use Sharon/Tracey as one.

Do they? Where? Not since about 1992

Roystonv · 25/03/2025 06:25

As some op's have said many women who complain are doing so because the service they are receiving is unacceptable. If this isn't called out poor practice becomes the norm and no one benefits. Standards are appalling nowadays and anyone who calls it out should be appreciated not vilified. A Karen was someone who raged just for themselves for no reason now it is used for anyone who complains and hijacking a name to call them is not acceptable . We need a special name/word to praise those who will not be silenced and have the stamina to raise their heads above the parapet.

Zanatdy · 25/03/2025 06:18

It drives me mad, especially as it’s mainly women doing it.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 25/03/2025 06:18

SailorSerena · 24/03/2025 21:21

It doesn't bother me. It's just a name for a stereotype which does exist.

You'll all be coming for the "I want to see the manager haircut" next.

Is this supposed to make sense? Can anyone translate?

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 25/03/2025 06:16

LizaRadleywasonthespectrum · 25/03/2025 05:09

Yet the same women who complain about using Karen as a slur quite happily use Sharon/Tracey as one.

Do they? I think you’re making that up.

TheaBrandt1 · 25/03/2025 06:00

Same. With possible exemption for under 16s. Any adult using it I cringe. Either a misogynist or thick or both. Judge hard.

countingthedays945 · 25/03/2025 05:55

Often used by people with low IQs. If they are prepared to use these terms I instantly think ‘a thicko’.

mumsthewordi · 25/03/2025 05:51

MixedBananas · 24/03/2025 07:55

Nope. Its use is fine as they use Daren for men who are the "let me speak to your Manager type" paychos as well. I seen more Karens UN the wild then Darens , personally.

As a Woman it doesn't bother me because I don't rage in public at service workers or random citizens.

You hear it more for women for a reason

stayathomer · 25/03/2025 05:20

I just hate that they messed up such a lovely, cool name, I know a few really cool Karen’s!!

Lyannaa · 25/03/2025 05:17

I agree. It’s horrible.

2021x · 25/03/2025 05:17

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 24/03/2025 13:35

No there isn't. There is NOT a male equivalent of Karen! As previous posters have said, men are allowed to be assertive and angry and passionate about their views and opinions. Women aren't. (Especially older women!)

Women are labelled as Karens if they complain, or hysterical if they get angry. Men NEVER get this shit.

As I said earlier, the only one CLOSE to KAREN (for a man,) is 'Gammon!' (And that is unacceptable to call men too.)

.

Edited
Show quote history

It’s just the non-gendered all inclusive term “entitled twat/arsehole”

2021x · 25/03/2025 05:16

Yeah it is tiresome especially she used by the type of people whose behaviour is actually the problem.

I just say “arsehole” instead when people use it I.e “oh she is such a Karen” “oh yeah she is a right arsehole”

LizaRadleywasonthespectrum · 25/03/2025 05:09

Yet the same women who complain about using Karen as a slur quite happily use Sharon/Tracey as one.

KimberleyClark · 25/03/2025 04:48

homehaircut · 24/03/2025 08:15

I also hate Debbie downer, it just has to be a woman's name, doesn't it?

And plain Jane.

Pemba · 25/03/2025 02:56

I think the above proves the point about the type of person who uses this slur. They don't even know what they're trying to say.

Swipe left for the next trending thread