AIBU to think it's weird that my husband sometimes calls my female friends 'birds'

[Clotheswoe]

AIBU to think it's weird that my husband refers to some of my female friends as 'birds'?

He normally does it when he's a bit annoyed at them.

And that even The Sun journalists wouldn't call women 'birds' anymore?

I'd prefer bird over lady eveytime

Well your husband is a twat, clearly.

Not heard that particular expression since the 70s or 80s! It was usually said in jest too.

It's common where I live, in the south.
Birds, chicks, blokes, geezers, all common place terms.

Using the term 'the ick' would lose you friends, unless you're at primary school.

Where's he from?. Everyone is bird where I live.

My BIL used to do this. Probably still does but we are virtually no contact with him now for many reasons.

It's derogatory and sexist. I'd be telling your DH to pack it in.

I agree! I really don't see an issue in using the term. It's not offensive, and just because something is a bit old fashioned doesn't mean that people must change the way they speak.

I’m a hardline feminist and I don’t actually mind “birds” as long as it’s done ironically. I can’t believe anyone actually uses it non-ironically these days…

Yep it’s “bird” in my area and I use it, We also have “duck” ( our area clearly has a thing for calling people after our feathered friends)!!!

"Everyone is bird where I live."

I bet your dp's boss isn't. Or would the concept of a woman being his boss be too scary for him....?

I've always liked the slang bird for a woman. It feels like a term of endearment - birds are beautiful and free, they fly and soar and sing. It never feels like a put down.

Why is bird sexist?
Is geezer also sexiest? Or bloke?

I agree I think some people just want a reason to be mad and feel less then. Birds are beautiful creatures.

Used to hear it a lot in my long-gone, misspent youth.
Sounds very dated now, but I’d still rather hear that than the US - ‘broad’- ugh.

Thanks all! It doesn't seem to be as universally offensive as I first thought.

I hardly ever hear it where I live, so it was unusual to hear it from my DH!

You still haven’t said where he is from?

The fact that he uses the term only in anger would suggest that it IS meant offensively, despite what people have said in this thread.

I think it is deeply misogynistic and belittling.

Everyone says it where I live (deprived working class area) - so much so that it occasionally slips out of my mouth too and to my shame I’m very much a feminist and work in a very professional, middle class sector 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’m a child of the 1970s, what can I say…

It's a common term where I am. I use it frequently and I'm female

it's not weird, it's rude and disrespectful - tell him.

also says a lot about how he thinks of you.

Everyone says it where I live - Cornwall. Along with cock, shag, lover. Normal to hear here 🤷🏻‍♀️

I find it dated and misogynistic. Call him a dick every time he says it!

very common here, I would also use it in conversation, ‘Is Matthew’s bird coming to the event? Does James have a new bird?’ Etc. I’m in Scotland though and we like a pet name. Other Scottish words used to discuss ladies are, girls, lasses, hen, quine, darlin’.

Oh sorry - he is Irish!

I think it probably depends regionally whether there are equivalent terms for males or whether it is just a dehumanising term for women

Has reminded me however of the joke:

Two blokes walking along the pier.

One says, looking up , 'Here man, what would you do if a bird shit on your head?'

Other one replies, 'Well I'd not go out with her again!'