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Original poster

The term Karen

94 replies

Errmmmmmmmmmmm · 07/03/2023 17:55

So today i was having a conversation with my DS about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and we were discussing the characters names. Verruca came up, he said she shouldn't be called that, she should be called Karen. I asked why and he said Karen is usually a lady who is bossy and not demanding. He's 8! I am surprised that a term such as Karen has reached his age group.

OP posts:

ItsCalledAConversation · 09/03/2023 09:28

I am defining a stereotype, not saying I subscribe to that stereotype personally. Hard to see the difference on a forum post I know, but it’s so easy to call someone a cunt from behind a keyboard isn’t it (also a misogynistic term, do you not understand irony either?)

ItsCalledAConversation · 09/03/2023 09:53

(Replied to @ScentOfAMemory not a general “you”)

Hilarious to me that you would use the term “cunt” yet you are righteously furious about the use of the term “Karen”. Bit of a double standard there love, better check your prejudice before you start throwing the c bomb around again.

Polis · 09/03/2023 09:55

I hate it when perfectly good names become used as sexist slurs. I take it you put him right?

I have noticed “Karen” being used for men too.

Polis · 09/03/2023 09:56

I’m not sure if that makes it better, or worse.

Schmutter · 09/03/2023 10:01

I’m sure it’s annoying for actual Karens, but I also think it will have its day and people won’t keep using it to disparage women.

Having said that, I hear my sons and their mates use it and even my admin team at work (all women) will refer to a moany customer as a Karen 🤨

RudsyFarmer · 09/03/2023 10:08

I honestly don’t mind it and I’m exactly the target audience to have it slung at me. The videos I’ve seen online of people being called a Karen are exactly the people that need calling out and I’m glad someone’s catchphrased a term for them.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 09/03/2023 10:13

I made a post like this a while ago as a kid in my DD's class had called her a Karen as she asked him to be quiet so she could hear the teacher. It was funny in a way because I can't imagine a 9 year old knowing that term but I wasn't happy about it. The teacher told him not to use the term though.

StClare101 · 09/03/2023 10:50

RudsyFarmer · 09/03/2023 10:08

It is used to tell women to shut up. You should mind it!

Yellowdays · 09/03/2023 10:58

It's not that nice, and used by a certain type usually.

Crunchymum · 09/03/2023 11:47

There is a YouTuber I've banned the kids from watching as she uses it all the time (kids aunt is called Karen so I've always hated the term)

buiny · 09/03/2023 12:12

Nasty sexist nonsense, usually used by the not very bright. I thought it was bad enough hearing women use it to describe any assertive or so called 'bossy' woman over 30, but it appears to have permeated through to the younger age range now

buiny · 09/03/2023 12:14

Tekkentime · 07/03/2023 19:25

How do women (the target of being labelled Karen) argue against it without being labelled Karen?

They can't can they!

bellabed · 10/03/2023 01:46

Still not as bad as poor John/Jonny. Who was a toilet, a man after a prostitute, a condom or John Doe and unidentified dead body. Karen's have it easy in comparison 😂

ScentOfAMemory · 10/03/2023 06:06

ItsCalledAConversation · 09/03/2023 09:53

(Replied to @ScentOfAMemory not a general “you”)

I think you need to check who the word cunt belongs to. We've reclaimed it.
But you crack on with your backtracking. There was nothing whatsoever in your foul post that was "describing a stereotype". It was your opinion. So how about you own it.

buiny · 10/03/2023 08:27

bellabed · 10/03/2023 01:46

Still not as bad as poor John/Jonny. Who was a toilet, a man after a prostitute, a condom or John Doe and unidentified dead body. Karen's have it easy in comparison 😂

It's connected to, and a play on, how common the name John is. We also have Jane Doe for women (and Long Johns/Janes).
Not misogyny or misandry and so not like or to be compared to Karen which is both ageist (though has started to be used for under 30) and sexist.

bellabed · 12/03/2023 01:48

@buiny not denying it's aweful. Karen is name/term even primary kids use now

2pence · 12/03/2023 10:16

Errmmmmmmmmmmm · 08/03/2023 16:45

I'd never heard of the term Wendy before. Clearly i have been living a sheltered life!

Wendy was used here to describe a newcomer who works her way into your friendship group and ostracises you. Think of what happened between Tinkerbell and Peter Pan when he met Wendy.

It's based on a fictional character's actions, and men can Wendy each other too.

Karen is used to stereotype real women, specifically assertive middle aged women. It's a misogynist, ageist slur. Quite different.

Soozikinzii · 12/03/2023 10:18

Yes I hate it as well . It might sound convoluted but my DSs MiL is called Karen and she's absolutely lovely he couldn't have a nicer MiL . Its so annoying I don't think k it particularly brothers her but I've never asked .

dameofdilemma · 12/03/2023 21:42

My age 10 dd and her friend used the K term today. I was quite shocked they knew it.

I tried to explain it could be seen (and by many is seen - including by me) as sexist but they said it could apply to both men and women - which makes me think they've not really understood it but have just heard it used by others/YouTube etc.

There is so much parroting of buzz words, copying trends, jumping on bandwagons at that age.
I try not to let it annoy me whilst trying to unpack the meaning for them so they can at least understand why they're being offensive.

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