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Original poster

Please can we talk about using the name Karen as an insult?

280 replies

NiceKaren · 24/03/2020 21:32

I'm seeing the name Karen being used as an insult all over social media. It started as a meme, but in the last few days I've seen 'Karen' being blamed for panic buying, refusing to self-isolate and general selfishness. My name is Karen and in these tricky times it feels really unpleasant to see my name being used this way. It feels sexist, ageist and most likely classist too. Now I'm seeing it on MN as well and it makes me so sad. I can't help my name and while I used to laugh it off, I'm feeling quite upset by it tonight. Why do people do this?

I suppose I'm just posting for solidarity and wondering whether there is any point in trying to call this sort of thing out? Before, I felt it was just me being precious or unable to take a joke but now it feels quite personal and ugly.

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Costacoffeeplease · 27/03/2020 00:30

I’m a Karen. Really couldn’t give less of a fuck, that’s what a real 50 something woman does

AngryTruckDriver · 27/03/2020 00:11

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AngryTruckDriver · 27/03/2020 00:11

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DidoLamenting · 26/03/2020 23:11

He told me that all else being equal .....older woman had already done the most difficult thing they would ever do - giving birth and bringing up children - and that nothing fazed them anymore, they could deal with any situation calmly and rationally

That is every bit as tosh as any sweeping negative stereotyping.

BiologyIsReal · 26/03/2020 21:51

Sorry, I'll clarify. Didn't mean to mislead. Not so much in a derogatory way actually but using it (Bob) as an example of Joe public (see what I did there Grin).

I'm probably over sensitive and see it everywhere - a bit like when you are pregnant all you see are pregnant women. I must get a grip.

Helmetbymidnight · 26/03/2020 21:48

ive never seen robert used in the same way as karen...

theres definitely a class element in the karen thing too - its a w/c lower m/c name- easy target.

nildesparandum · 26/03/2020 20:42

Robert must have been a very popular name 120 years ago.Both my grandmother and her sister were married to men called Robert, which had also been the name of their fathers.
Sorry to derail the thread.
I wonder who the equilivant of Karen will be in fifty to sixty years from now?

AngryTruckDriver · 26/03/2020 20:11

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Cwenthryth · 26/03/2020 19:58

Also confused about Robert being derogatory!

I have a Robert in my life, he’s ace.

Lynda07 · 26/03/2020 19:54

Biologyisreal, I've never heard the name, 'Robert', referred to in a derogatory way. It's a good name, strong and fairly ordinary - Rob or Bob are nice diminutives.

Roger, on the other hand, I could understand.....

Sorry for your loss. My late husband was called, "John". Can't get more ordinary than that but nothing wrong with it at all.

Winesalot · 26/03/2020 16:47

Just another ...

Please can we talk about using the name Karen as an insult?
Beamur · 26/03/2020 16:12

It's definitely a poke at women of a certain age/demographic.
It could easily have been my name as I'm this generation too.
All the Karen's I know in real life are lovely splendid women - who are no doubt equally pissed off!
It will pass. But if you are called Karen, it must be really annoying!

HorseRadishFemish · 26/03/2020 13:11

What a nasty little git.

DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 26/03/2020 13:05

I know a couple of toddler Roberts, the name is definitely making a come back, Biology, so it won’t get stuck with association of a certain age group for long.

Sorry for your loss Flowers

BiologyIsReal · 26/03/2020 12:58

My late husband's bame was Robert. Think how often the vernacular version is used in the way Karen's is, but to cite males collectively. Since he died last year, every time I see it used in Mumsnet threads, which is quite often, though not on FWR so much, it feels horrible, hurtful etc.

I know I am absolutely being daft but unfortunately an emotional response is not that easy to control. Sad

aliasundercover · 26/03/2020 12:38

A headteacher I worked for loved to employ older women.

He told me that all else being equal he found that younger men, were keen and ambitious and prepared to work extra hours and take on extra responsibilities, BUT older woman had already done the most difficult thing they would ever do - giving birth and bringing up children - and that nothing fazed them anymore, they could deal with any situation calmly and rationally.

Of course it all depends on the person - there are plenty of calm, rational younger men (well ... maybe not plenty, but some), and ambitious older women, but he did have a knack of finding very good people to work at his school.

DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 26/03/2020 12:28

Karen Hauer, Venezuelan champion Mambo dancer and Strictly pro

m.youtube.com/watch?v=p0fMH3hEVLM

m.youtube.com/watch?v=_aunQVvEQyw

m.youtube.com/watch?v=HH6ha5vXwBE

Please can we talk about using the name Karen as an insult?
DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 26/03/2020 12:19

*Elson’

DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 26/03/2020 12:18

Karen Elsen

Iconic 90s ‘Supermodel’ and musician

m.youtube.com/watch?v=kthNUWUZQyY

Please can we talk about using the name Karen as an insult?
Please can we talk about using the name Karen as an insult?
Please can we talk about using the name Karen as an insult?
truthisarevolutionaryact · 26/03/2020 12:11

Ooops - missed DuLang's post upthread.

truthisarevolutionaryact · 26/03/2020 12:09

This Karen had a sublime voice. I saw the Carpenters in concert many many years ago:

Floisme · 26/03/2020 12:07

And there are loads of examples of fictional, larger than life characters - male and female - who exhibit specific patterns of behaviour and who are held up for ridicule: Captain Mainwaring, Victor Meldrew, Margot Leadbetter, Hyacinth Bucket, Mrs Bennett.
'A Karen' is not a character - that's the point. She doesn't have a personality or a face or even a second name. She is a blank screen onto which people project their dislikes and prejudices.

DuLANGDuLANGDuLANG · 26/03/2020 12:04

Karen O

Singer from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Floisme · 26/03/2020 11:53

It’s time to make Karen cool again.

Agreed. Here's Karen Allen - Raiders of the Lost Ark

Please can we talk about using the name Karen as an insult?
deydododatdodontdeydo · 26/03/2020 11:51

A more accurate comparison would be if when that show was broadcast men of a certain age were routinely called "Alf" by people as a put down. But that didn't happen, did it?

You're right, it's not the same and that didn't happen.
But, a lot of men of a certain age and character did, and still do, get referred to as "a bit of a Victor Meldrew".
The Alf Garnett character wasn't a stereotype of a certain type of man, Victor Meldrew is.

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