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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to loathe the word "manshape"

351 replies

OhdearNigel · 28/10/2011 15:24

It makes my teeth bleed.

OP posts:
LemonDifficult · 28/10/2011 16:04

TeamD - 'preferably' always seems to be used by people wanting a form filled in - BLOCK CAPITALS, black ink - and returned by a certain time, usually enclosing a cheque. It just forms in the mouth in a bureaucratic and sarcastic way.

KatieMortician · 28/10/2011 16:04

Dee was first to post after OP and I love the tone has not changed.

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 28/10/2011 16:04

We're comparing man shape with mong now? Fuck me....

ThisIsANickname · 28/10/2011 16:05

Hahahah!

I am a woman. I am someone who wouldn't bat an eyelid at being called womanshape or hearing that someone else was called womanshape. In fact, it wouldn't even occur to me that this was something that people would find the energy to be outraged about. I believe respect is more about what you mean than what you say.

I am the 1%

cornycabana · 28/10/2011 16:07

worral your post is really offensive

worraliberty · 28/10/2011 16:07

We're comparing man shape with mong now? Fuck me

No we're not.

'We' are merely saying that an insulting name no matter how 'sweet' in private, will no doubt cause offense in public.

worraliberty · 28/10/2011 16:08

And that proves my point nicely corny

To them, it's not offensive...they think it's 'quite sweet'

To Dee and others 'manshape' is not offensive and 'quite sweet'

But to others, it's a horrible objectifying term.

LemonDifficult · 28/10/2011 16:09

'Dee obviously isn't being disrespectful to her DP when she says it and he obviously doesn't take offence...but posting it on a public forum is an entirely different thing.'

Hmm. 'Manshape' is not pornography or her entreating people to beat the elderly with sticks or whatever. MN is a pretty frank place and not ideal for people who will take offence at something they know for sure isn't taken as offensive by the person it's aimed at. There are some caveats to this - best not to go around calling people your 'nigger beeeatches' even if you and your BFF refer to each other this way and it in no way offends either of you - but I don't really think 'manshape' is quite the same thing.

TheScaryJessie · 28/10/2011 16:10

Okay, this will really kick off, now.

Given how many users like to use swearwords referencing female genitalia, here, I'm not sure "womanshape" would be that controversial.

For the record, I think those words are misogynistic, and objectifying, but i don't start threads about it, because it's been done, and it would be boring. Other people feel differently to me, and I accept that.

hauntedstateofmind · 28/10/2011 16:10

YANBU despite this having been done before.

I find manshape insulting, hubby twee and simples simple.

Preggers is yuk, but I don't recall seeing that on MN very often.

I can't stand the phrase fell pregnant- you fall over, you don't fall pregnant. It makes it sound like it was a total surprise.

Bleeding teeth- seems a bit random, does it imply you are grinding them Grin?

worraliberty · 28/10/2011 16:11

'The wife' is non of those things either Lemon yet I've seen men buried under a pile of Hmm faces on here for referring to their DW's in this way Grin

suburbandream · 28/10/2011 16:14

I'm not particularly keen on it, a bit too nethuns for me, but each to their own. AgentZigZag's idea of the milk tray man made me snort tea through my nose, so I shall think of the "mysteriously silhouetted bearer of chocs" whenever I see it from now on Grin

ScarahStratton · 28/10/2011 16:15

I like manshape. It conjures up an image of a big, strong man to me. Nothing wrong with that at all. But it is Dee's word, and there is a good reason for her using it.

Bit of sensitivity and tolerance towards others wouldn't go amiss sometimes. Combined with an ability to search old topics and general common sense.

KatAndKit · 28/10/2011 16:15

I don't like it personally but Dee has explained umpteen times why she uses it, and if she likes it, I don't see why anyone else needs to get worked up about it or start threads about it.
If she wants to use it then she probably doesn't give a toss if people thinks it is unreasonable.

I also don't like the DH, DP, DD, DS ,D whatever member of the family. And there are plenty of other abbreviations and acronyms I find hideous.

AIBU to want to ban people referring to their period as AF?

ThisIsANickname · 28/10/2011 16:15

Question - Why does it matter if you are offended? Why does it matter if something is offensive?

I find the idea that the term "manshape" is offensive, offensive. What happens now?

TheScaryJessie · 28/10/2011 16:16
hauntedstateofmind · 28/10/2011 16:18

YANBU KatAndKit. AF is bizarre.

BellaDonnaSansMerci · 28/10/2011 16:19

I like it and I like seeing Dee use it.

RevoltingPeasant · 28/10/2011 16:20

Ah, thanks Eric.

TheScaryJessie · 28/10/2011 16:20

"Taking a trip to the littlest room" irritates me.

Bellavita · 28/10/2011 16:22

Not This old chestnut again

ThisIsANickname · 28/10/2011 16:22

"Going to see a man about a dog/horse..." BLURGH

gobbolinothewitchscatinboots · 28/10/2011 16:23

worral you is being disabalist. Grin

Dontcha know that calliing the disability card is the new racism-hunting on here??

TheScaryJessie · 28/10/2011 16:27

110% - Aaaaaaaargh! I wince every time.

kenobi · 28/10/2011 16:32

I always though 'AF; stood for AnyFucker

Storm in a teacup, this thread.