To think that there should be a female equivalent to "guys" or "chaps"

[TheBossofMe]

Leading on from another thread about terms used to describe women, I realised that there isn't a word that we use to describe a group of women that is gender-specific but not age-specific.

We use the terms "guys" or "chaps" for men and boys of any age. So someone can be one of the guys if he's 5, 15 or 50.

But for women, we have "girls" which should only be applied to the young and "women" which is only applied to the not-that-young-anymore.

So we need a whole new word, a MN-originated word, that we use to describe a group of females of any age.

Because we know that if we use it enough on MN, it eventually transcends into real life, and then into popular usage, and then the OED, and then immortality beckons for us all (or something!).

Anyone got any good ideas?

sue you are a frikkin' genius

Reclaim the dame.

"I am an old crone if I'm getting them"

nononononononono that can't be true. I'm only 21 30

Dames is okay, as a second option I guess

Oh, now I've just seen "reclaim the dame".

I'm warming to it.

Okay then Pag, you're not Hully. But you still need to drag her over here. We need her opinion on this

I am a frickin genius. Does that make me Head Dame?

I get them, Absy. The worst bit is when you notice them at work and try to pull them out, but they resist and you end up making them all curly with your nails. I then spend the afternoon trying not to look at the pube ringlet growing from my arm.
Or wearing a jacket

Oh my god, pube ringlet, yes, I have had that horror on my chin. >

Ooh, would that make me DameBoss? I think I like it. >

Ooh!! I didn't think there'd be a SLOGAN!

Here I am!

I know, the slogan swayed me. I am very fickle and superficial.

I love Dames!

Damewholovesherteddies

Oh, and sue yes, you are most definitely head dame.

Dames is good I suppose but... to me it has patronising tones of the brat pack conceding a feisty female character is to be tolerated as an almost equal.

Much prefer CJ as an stronger role model. I know she was created and written partly by a man/men but still feels a better fit.

OOH ooh oohhh! I left to pack for a weekend away and there is a groundswell of support for Dame in my absence

Ahem...

That's why we have to reclaim it, Juno.

I don't want to be Head Dame, actually. I'm far too busy. Give it to Hully, she's had a hard day .

You all look fabulous. Dame suits you.

When we were in our 20's we used the word CJ as a term for a sex act when we were demanding equal sexual treatment!
That's why I'm a bit hesitant about it.

It just reminds me of a gang of us getting pissed and over the top and talking about sex rather loudly (the shame!)

how do I get the hovery thingy so I can add in "reclaim the dame"?

Ah bolleaux. We're going to be accused of being a quiche now, aren't we? ffs

hmmmmmmmmmm

but what about the Dame name given by Queeny?

Won't it be confusing?

Y'know like Dame Judi Dench etc?

Just adds to the prestige, innit. And in time, people will then assume Dame Judi is just one of us.

Come on Hully you know you want to.

And I don't think anyone will ever mistake me for the recipient of an honour from the queen.

And I reckon Judi is one of us, anyway. Just with a better accent. And probably better biscuits.

If Katherine Hepburn were alive today, I could see her totally getting down with the dames.

Go on, Hully. You agree that knids would be much better, don't you. Pantomime dames!