So I've just been told...

[Riotheparrott]

I'm a handsome woman. That means manly doesn't it?

The thing is we do call men pretty. It's quite common in today's language "he's just too pretty for me". It generally means a good looking man, but not one overly macho masculine.

For example I would classify Martin Kemp as pretty. I would not define Russel Crowe as pretty.

That’s true Bluntness

Most of the reality tv men are pretty, not many rugby players are

No, it is a compliment and means you are striking and attractive in a non cookie cutter way.

Handsome means striking, beautiful, but not in a girly sort of way, but in a classic sort of way. It’s also ageless. A handsome women usually looks good all their lives, whist a pretty one can loose their looks.

I'd say Robin Wright is handsome. Hilary Swank, Glenn Close...

Ye talk, yes, I'm not sure I've ever seen a pretty rugby player 🤣

"A pretty boy" is quite common in today's parlour but handsome woman has definitely fallen out of favour.

OctaviaOctober

Laughing even more now. See the Family Guy reference I posted upthread

I’m liking the term handsome woman more and more!

Mariska Hargitay is a handsome woman I think (definitely a compliment)

I think that some men (older men in particular) think that calling a woman beautiful sounds as though they are hitting on them or being too personal. Handsome is a way of saying the same thing but in a more neutral/polite way.

Mr Darcey refers to Elizabeth Bennet as the most handsome woman he has ever seen in Pride and Prejudice, so whilst it sounds unusual these days, it's a compliment.

OP I understand it to mean what you thought too. I think it's a sly insult. Well that's how I'd take it. But if you look like Jennifer Aniston then maybe it's just jealousy!

Who said it?

Stealth boast!

I hadn’t thought about it but now I think I should use it much more often for women. Now how to do that without unintentionally offending?!