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Original poster

to think the term lionesses is sexist

250 replies

greenlloon · 02/07/2019 20:00

or at least its odd as we dont call the men lions we call them england we should call the women England but also adding an ess to a noun an be considered sexist by many. it has just struck me as odd.

OP posts:
NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 02/07/2019 20:02

dont call the men lions

We do though - their called the three lions.

Its just a slang name like the aussie teams are called the socceroos

And the south african rugby teams are called the springboks

binkyblinky · 02/07/2019 20:03

We do, we call them three lions!

TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 02/07/2019 20:04

Oops...

Somerandompersons · 02/07/2019 20:04

Dont see it at all. England have 3 lions on their shirt, lionesses is the feminine version on lions.

Not sexist.

Sparklesocks · 02/07/2019 20:05

I see it more as having their own identity within the male dominated world of football, carving their own space by having their own name. Also, lionesses do all the hunting and keep their pride afloat - so you could argue it has positive connotations.

bluebury · 02/07/2019 20:06

Lionesses are one of the strongest animals on earth, they are independent, powerful, beautiful. They do all the hunting, raise and protect their young whiles the lions laze around in the sunD

Personally I'd rather be referred to as a lioness than a female footballer

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 02/07/2019 20:06

Its actually because we call the mens teams the three lions that we call the womens the lionesses

Where did you think it came from op?

Benes · 02/07/2019 20:07

There are examples of sexism in women's football but this is not one of them

GlacindaTheTroll · 02/07/2019 20:07

The Lions is the men's team.

In rugby not association football though, and is the team that is made up of all the British Isles (not separate by nation)

And footballers refer all the damned time to the three lions.

Bit like the England team has a rose emblem. And the English netball team is known as the Roses. The symbols are widely shared across sports

StillCoughingandLaughing · 02/07/2019 20:07

Oh dear - someone has tried to create an issue without actually checking the facts. Never ends well.

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 02/07/2019 20:07

I would usually be the first to call securest but in this case... no, three lions is clearly associated with English football and they are the female team. Tbh I've been really heartened by all the attention and all the coverage of the women's world cup. I hate football and don't seek it out, but this everywhere with really positive coverage focused on the sport.

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 02/07/2019 20:08
  • first to call sexist, not securist!
BillywilliamV · 02/07/2019 20:09

I think they can call themselves what they want..

VampirateQueen · 02/07/2019 20:09

But we do though, we call them the three lions.

NCforthis2019 · 02/07/2019 20:09

oh lord - FIND A HOBBY OP. hth.

And maybe educate yourself on the three lions before trying to find some issue with the term.

MrsMiggins37 · 02/07/2019 20:10

Hmm seriously?

Original poster
greenlloon · 02/07/2019 20:15

We do though - their called the three lions.
not in the same way we dont constantly use the words three lions instead of England do we unlike the lionesses but then its not the same as why dont we call them the 3 lionesses. so its not an equivalence.

OP posts:
bingbongnoise · 02/07/2019 20:15
Biscuit
NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 02/07/2019 20:16

oh lord - FIND A HOBBY OP. hth.

And maybe educate yourself on the three lions before trying to find some issue with the term*

Maybe she should take up the hobby of watching a bit of football both mens and women's.

Then she'd know what both teams are called and spend less time being out raged by something thats a non issue. so kill two birds with one stone

Original poster
greenlloon · 02/07/2019 20:16

And footballers refer all the damned time to the three lions. no they dont i was listening to 5 live and ever time it was the lionesses not England

OP posts:
NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 02/07/2019 20:18

Its is the same - constantly in the media its "gareth southgates three lions"

"Proud of southgates lions tonight"

Apsoutly the same

nancy75 · 02/07/2019 20:20

I’m always surprised to hear it because to me the lionesses are the Millwall ladies team & always have been

MissLadyM · 02/07/2019 20:20

Lol I was waiting for this ...

Howlovely · 02/07/2019 20:21

Oh ffs are you one of the professionally offended? What on earth is wrong with a female team being named after one of the most iconic female animals in the world? You really were hoping to start some huge debate about empowerment and feminism when all you've really done is made yourself look a bit silly.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 02/07/2019 20:21

I listened to 5 live last summer and all i heard was "the three lions are playing ....blah"

"Last time the three lions were in the semi finals of any tourument southgate was a player"

"The three lions could qualify for the world cup semi final for the first time in nearly 30 years"

Three lions ad nausum not england

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