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Original poster

The misogynistic and ageist slur ‘karen’

91 replies

Cursory · 20/04/2025 20:51

I see this cropping up on here on a reasonably regular basis. It’s an acknowledged ageist and misogynistic term for women over a certain age with an opinion.

Will MNHQ moderate it accordingly if it’s reported, the same way you do for other derogatory terms?

OP posts:
Smallmercies · 21/04/2025 08:49

AnSolas · 20/04/2025 23:39

So this sign was not a problem in the UK?

No Irish
No Blacks
No Dogs

And this sign would be fine today ?

No Irish
No Dogs

Show quote history

I'm not saying it's fine, I'm saying it's not racism. Prejudice and discrimination can still be wrong. "No Irish" is illegal because it's discrimination. "No dogs" is fine depending on the situation.

Hebfgusa · 21/04/2025 08:21

AnSolas · 20/04/2025 23:39

So this sign was not a problem in the UK?

No Irish
No Blacks
No Dogs

And this sign would be fine today ?

No Irish
No Dogs

Show quote history

Racism = prejudice + power.

So Irish fits with their definition. When white was said before it was used more generally rather than white Irish.

Xenophobia is also a word that fits here, I think. And some white people experience prejudice because of classism

AnSolas · 20/04/2025 23:39

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 22:36

No, you can't be racist towards white people. Racism = prejudice + power (or privilege).

Show quote history

So this sign was not a problem in the UK?

No Irish
No Blacks
No Dogs

And this sign would be fine today ?

No Irish
No Dogs

Hebfgusa · 20/04/2025 23:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ha ha, exactly the point!! Silencing

Lemsipper · 20/04/2025 23:32

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Hebfgusa · 20/04/2025 23:30

There isn't a male equivalent. And it's often used for a woman who is assertive but of an age where they are expected to be in a nurturing role, so shouldn't have an opinion. Sometimes, they are being objectionable but what do you call other groups who are behaving like that?

juneisjuly · 20/04/2025 23:30

It’s not misogynistic to call out rude and entitled behaviour just because it’s coming from a woman.
ive also heard many men be referred to as Karen’s or even Kevin’s

HouseCaptain · 20/04/2025 23:28

It’s a female name, there are many Karen’s and I feel sorry for them.
There are no men called “Gammon”.

WinterMorn · 20/04/2025 23:22

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 22:37

Laughing at all you staunch feminists calling other women twats 😅🫠🤷‍♀️

That doesn’t make you a better person.

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 22:37

Laughing at all you staunch feminists calling other women twats 😅🫠🤷‍♀️

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 22:36

Blinkyy · 20/04/2025 22:07

”. The whole Karen meme stemmed from racism eg calling the police on black people based on lies. Age isn’t really the defining factor, it’s more race I’d say.

So it’s white women - surely that makes it racist

No, you can't be racist towards white people. Racism = prejudice + power (or privilege).

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 22:31

Cursory · 20/04/2025 22:21

Then you’re a misogynist, ageist and a twat.

‘Karen’ is blatantly a misogynistic and ageist slur. It refers a meme which is a middle aged woman objecting to something.

Show quote history

And twat isn't misogynistic??!! Pot, meet kettle! 😅

Thepossibility · 20/04/2025 22:31

My kids and their friends seem to use it for a white woman of any age older than a teenager who acts rude and entitled. They also say a man is acting like a male Karen if he is acting the same way just because of his (white, arrogant) privilege.
I don't think that's offensive, it's quite fitting usually.

ilovemyfriends · 20/04/2025 22:27

Cursory · 20/04/2025 22:21

Then you’re a misogynist, ageist and a twat.

‘Karen’ is blatantly a misogynistic and ageist slur. It refers a meme which is a middle aged woman objecting to something.

Show quote history

Absolutely agree, it is an avenue ,for shutting females up of a certain age !

Original poster
Cursory · 20/04/2025 22:21

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 21:23

It's no more misogynistic than gammon is racist. Karen is an attitude, not an attribute. I will continue to use it with pride.

Then you’re a misogynist, ageist and a twat.

‘Karen’ is blatantly a misogynistic and ageist slur. It refers a meme which is a middle aged woman objecting to something.

OP posts:
Pudmyboy · 20/04/2025 22:18

Changeyourlifes · 20/04/2025 22:01

I disagree that it’s for “women over a certain age with an opinion”. The whole Karen meme stemmed from racism eg calling the police on black people based on lies. Age isn’t really the defining factor, it’s more race I’d say. And it’s not about having an opinion, it’s about vexatious conduct.

Edited
Show quote history

Perhaps it began that way but it has become lazy shorthand for putting down older women in particular

WinterMorn · 20/04/2025 22:14

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 21:23

It's no more misogynistic than gammon is racist. Karen is an attitude, not an attribute. I will continue to use it with pride.

I am disappointed that you think this.

Blinkyy · 20/04/2025 22:07

”. The whole Karen meme stemmed from racism eg calling the police on black people based on lies. Age isn’t really the defining factor, it’s more race I’d say.

So it’s white women - surely that makes it racist

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 22:06

Pudmyboy · 20/04/2025 21:59

Or it's used by people to put down any woman who has an opinion they disagree with, especially if the woman is older. It's lazy sexism.

Show quote history

Then it's used wrongly. Like calling a horse a carrot.

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 22:05

ChaToilLeam · 20/04/2025 22:03

I wish it would just bloody stop. If you use that term, you're a twat.

Twat is misogynistic!! CITIZEN'S ARREST!!!

ChaToilLeam · 20/04/2025 22:03

I wish it would just bloody stop. If you use that term, you're a twat.

Changeyourlifes · 20/04/2025 22:01

Cursory · 20/04/2025 20:51

I see this cropping up on here on a reasonably regular basis. It’s an acknowledged ageist and misogynistic term for women over a certain age with an opinion.

Will MNHQ moderate it accordingly if it’s reported, the same way you do for other derogatory terms?

I disagree that it’s for “women over a certain age with an opinion”. The whole Karen meme stemmed from racism eg calling the police on black people based on lies. Age isn’t really the defining factor, it’s more race I’d say. And it’s not about having an opinion, it’s about vexatious conduct.

Pudmyboy · 20/04/2025 21:59

GeorgianaM · 20/04/2025 21:25

Same here. It's not aimed at all women it's aimed at those with a certain look and a bad attitude.

Show quote history

Or it's used by people to put down any woman who has an opinion they disagree with, especially if the woman is older. It's lazy sexism.

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 21:43

Whenindoubthugitout · 20/04/2025 21:30

Boomer
what attributes does a “boomer” hold that are not age related?

Show quote history

I said attitude, not attribute.

ChristmaslightsuptilJanuary · 20/04/2025 21:42

It's sexist, ageist, and a bit classist, and is used to get women with an opinion to shut up and play nice. I fucking hate it and think very little of people who use it