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Original poster

Women who refer to cars/boats as 'she' Grrr.

43 replies

DrNortherner · 06/08/2011 17:05

Just spent 10 days in Spain with dh's Dad and step mum. His step Mum is lovely, however she does a few things that irk me, including referring to her parents as 'Mummy and Daddy' She's 62 FFS.

Anyway, the whole time we were there she referred to her car as 'she' - she needs petrol, have you locked her? etc
and also to boats in the harbour - Oh she's a beauty.

Nobody does this anymore do they?

What can I say to her next time she does this?

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 07/08/2011 16:42

If you find it annoying when inanimate objects are called anything other than "it" than YANBU (it's a bloody boat, it has no reproductive capacity!) but it's not really a feminist issue.

If you would rather boats were called "he" rather than "she" then I challenge you to explain how this is more feminist.

rubyrubyruby · 07/08/2011 16:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 06/08/2011 20:27

Non-sexist explanation.

bestfootforwards · 06/08/2011 19:40

I think there a bigger things to worry about tbh

And as someone who sails I have just had a little snigger at the idea that men call boats she because they 'own and control' the boat. More likely they call the boat she because they are/ were well aware the boat owns and controls them Grin .

jennyvstheworld · 06/08/2011 19:39

Yes, let's sterilize our language and culture remove all hints of anthropomorphism where ever we find them! That's the answer Wink

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 06/08/2011 19:36

I suppose it's quite handy that we can use 'it' then.

upahill · 06/08/2011 19:25

So, if I've got this right, we can't call inanimate things 'he' because that's sexist (see the other thread) and we can't call them 'she' becasue that's sexist. It seems to me that some people have a remarkable capacity for outrage.

Good point well put!

jennyvstheworld · 06/08/2011 19:14

So, if I've got this right, we can't call inanimate things 'he' because that's sexist (see the other thread) and we can't call them 'she' becasue that's sexist.

It seems to me that some people have a remarkable capacity for outrage.

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 06/08/2011 18:43

'I often stumble across threads in this section feeling as though I should be outraged about something but must be missing the point because I am not'

Grin You are not alone in this, but sometimes the discussion is enlightening.

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 06/08/2011 18:41

Or have a relationship with them.

Original poster
DrNortherner · 06/08/2011 18:39

Well, imo it stems back to men calling innaminate objects as 'she' as they own and control them, like a woman.....

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 06/08/2011 18:35

I've been meaning to post about this for ages! Why are cars and boats and things always referred to as "she"? I remember my dad telling me why when I was little but can't remember what he said.

I know it's considered "correct" as MrsReasonable says, but why? Where does it come from? And is it sexist?

flowery · 06/08/2011 18:33

Why do you need to say anything to her? What's wrong with it exactly? And is there a reason a woman saying it is worse than a man saying it?

I often stumble across threads in this section feeling as though I should be outraged about something but must be missing the point because I am not. Confused

fluffles · 06/08/2011 18:26

is there a reason why this tradition is non-feminist?
i am not sure i do it myself (probably i use 'it') but i'm aware of the tradition and never thought to object before....?

NevermindtheNargles · 06/08/2011 18:24

Wasn't there a thread on here the other day complaining about inanimate objects always being 'he' (teddies and such)?

NevermindtheNargles · 06/08/2011 18:24

Wasn't there a thread on here the other day complaining about inanimate objects always being 'he' (teddies and such)?

MrsReasonable · 06/08/2011 18:21

I thought boats, like countries, were meant to be referred to as 'she'. Correct, if outdated.

jennyvstheworld · 06/08/2011 17:21

Whatever you say, it's unlikely that you will convince her that there is a problem. As you say, she's 62...

My Nan, when she was alive, always refrred to pretty and vibrant things as being very gay....