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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:
StarDolphins · 20/04/2025 21:39

I actually didn’t know what this means although I should because pretty much ALL the kids at school say it. Apparently’Karen is privileged, entitled and complains a lot!

it doesn’t bother me as I think it’s just a bandwagon type thing. I get far more worked up at other stuff.

brettsalanger · 20/04/2025 21:34

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 agree. It’s only on MN where you get pounced on for saying it.

even my Aunt, called Karen, uses it.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 20/04/2025 21:32

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.

👆

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 20/04/2025 21:31

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.

Um, well it is because there is no male equivalent and the term isn’t used for men

Whenindoubthugitout · 20/04/2025 21:31

Sorry I have misread

Whenindoubthugitout · 20/04/2025 21:30

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 21:29

Eh?

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

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 21:29

Whenindoubthugitout · 20/04/2025 21:28

What attributes does is it hold?

Eh?

Whenindoubthugitout · 20/04/2025 21:28

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 21:26

Boomer isn't ageist - again, it describes an attitude, not an attribute.

What attributes does is it hold?

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 20/04/2025 21:27

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.

Certain look?
is it ok to target women because of their looks?

Smallmercies · 20/04/2025 21:26

Whenindoubthugitout · 20/04/2025 21:25

Ffs
honestly
obvs not named Karen.

it’s as misogynistic as Boomer is ageist.

Boomer isn't ageist - again, it describes an attitude, not an attribute.

GeorgianaM · 20/04/2025 21:25

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.

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

Whenindoubthugitout · 20/04/2025 21:25

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.

Ffs
honestly
obvs not named Karen.

it’s as misogynistic as Boomer is ageist.

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.

Balhammom · 20/04/2025 21:21

You may not like it, but that does not mean it’s misogynistic. Not every insult directed at a woman is inherently misogynistic.

WinterMorn · 20/04/2025 21:18

I regularly tackle this on my local FB group. I then get jumped on for doing so by other women!

Nameftgigb · 20/04/2025 20:53

They generally do. Usually the entire of mn will jump on anyone who dares to say it