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Original poster

The word “lionesses” makes me cringe

214 replies

bottledjoyy · 23/08/2023 21:12

I’m sorry, I know this is irrational but something about it just makes me cringe so much. I enjoyed watching the women’s football and am all for it, but for some reason the term “Lionesses” makes me shudder with cringe.
I feel like it just makes it feel a bit infantilising? I know it’s Three Lions but not like we constantly refers to the men’s team as “the lions”. I dunno it just seems patronising and cringe.

Just me? Haha

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
TaiDee · 23/08/2023 21:39

TheHateIsNotGood · 23/08/2023 21:32

Can't please all the people - here's a Wiki List of various England Women's FC Team names - so what name would thoust preferest - plenty to choose from.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_women%27s_association_football_clubs_in_England

I’m really struggling to understand the point you’re trying to make? There are loads of mens football clubs too…but then national team is still generally referred to as ‘England’ rather than by a nickname.

CrunchyCarrot · 23/08/2023 21:39

I like it! And the Matildas!

SingingKlingon · 23/08/2023 21:39

Same here. Thought it was just me!!

It annoys the hell out of me and I'm not even English. Why are they not called England? Absolutely don't get it.

lljkk · 23/08/2023 21:40

How about... Hatters, Gladiators, Archers, Rebels, Wildcats, Banditas ...

Cyclingmug · 23/08/2023 21:41

I hate Lionesses too! Sounds really patronising for some reason

IseeNarcPeople · 23/08/2023 21:41

It pisses me off more that it's still "Football" and "Women's football"

toomanyleggings · 23/08/2023 21:43

To me lioness sounds more important than lion so I like it

LAHallucinations · 23/08/2023 21:43

The men's team are the 'Three Lions'. They're frequently referred to by that nickname.

lljkk · 23/08/2023 21:44

TaiDee · 23/08/2023 21:39

I’m really struggling to understand the point you’re trying to make? There are loads of mens football clubs too…but then national team is still generally referred to as ‘England’ rather than by a nickname.

Show quote history

That's precisely why I, who do not follow rugby or cricket, have heard of the All Blacks and the Tourists.

Catlover77 · 23/08/2023 21:47

the use of ‘lionesses’ is no worse than the word ‘cringe’ when you mean ‘cringeworthy’.

Misty84 · 23/08/2023 21:49

Totally with you on this OP, my family and I have had the same discussion and we thought it was just us! It’s very cringe. Just call them England!

suitcasecoveredincathair · 23/08/2023 21:49

lljkk · 23/08/2023 21:44

That's precisely why I, who do not follow rugby or cricket, have heard of the All Blacks and the Tourists.

Show quote history

The Tourists? Surely the tourists are just the team that are on tour, not a single specific team?

TaiDee · 23/08/2023 21:55

LAHallucinations · 23/08/2023 21:43

The men's team are the 'Three Lions'. They're frequently referred to by that nickname.

I’m aware that it’s their ‘official’ nickname but it’s very very rare to hear it used. They’re just called ‘England’ 99.99% of the time.

The most famous usage of ‘Three Lions’ is in Football’s Coming Home, but even then it’s describing the crest on the shirt, and isn’t used to refer to the team.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 23/08/2023 22:01

Catlover77 · 23/08/2023 21:47

the use of ‘lionesses’ is no worse than the word ‘cringe’ when you mean ‘cringeworthy’.

The way the OP used it is correct, though. If she said "it makes me cringeworthy" then it would change the meaning.

I agree with you, OP. It makes me cringe too.

indyocean · 23/08/2023 22:02

How about we call them the England Team

The men can be known as the Men's football team

heymammy · 23/08/2023 22:03

CoalCraft · 23/08/2023 21:38

Is it unusual for national football teams to be referred to like that? It doesn't seem odd to me but I'm used to men's rugby where you have the likes of

The All-Blacks
The Springboks
The Wallabies
The Cherry Blossoms
Los Pumas
Etc.

Then again, I suppose "Lionesses" is quite a clunky word to say.

None of those nicknames are based specifically on the sex of the sportsperson playing.

Socially we've stopped adding -ess to words when referring to women's jobs/positions...yet here are again. It also sounds babyish.

And yes, I know I'm taking it too far a being a bit of a dick. I'm not even English!

Whu · 23/08/2023 22:04

Lions and lionesses
Men and women
I have no problem with this.

TaiDee · 23/08/2023 22:05

lljkk · 23/08/2023 21:44

That's precisely why I, who do not follow rugby or cricket, have heard of the All Blacks and the Tourists.

Show quote history

But you haven’t heard of ‘England’, ‘France’, ‘Brazil’, etc?

Prescottdanni123 · 23/08/2023 22:06

I like it. Lionesses are strong and powerful, like our women's football team. If they were referred to as the kittens I'd agree with you.

Divebar2021 · 23/08/2023 22:07

I’m much more interested in the opinion of the team on this. If they’re ok with it I’m ok with it.

Catlover77 · 23/08/2023 22:07

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 23/08/2023 22:01

The way the OP used it is correct, though. If she said "it makes me cringeworthy" then it would change the meaning.

I agree with you, OP. It makes me cringe too.

Show quote history

‘It seems patronising and cringe’ is not correct. The misuse of the word is getting worse

WandaWonder · 23/08/2023 22:08

Whu · 23/08/2023 22:04

Lions and lionesses
Men and women
I have no problem with this.

This sums it up for me

WandaWonder · 23/08/2023 22:08

Whu · 23/08/2023 22:04

Lions and lionesses
Men and women
I have no problem with this.

This sums it up for me

Changingmynameyetagain · 23/08/2023 22:09

I agree it's cringey but plenty of football teams have nicknames.
Our local team is called the shakers.

ohcrums · 23/08/2023 22:11

Yeah I get what you mean OP

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