what is the difference between a feminst and a minx?

[witchwithallthetrimmings]

was talking about feminism to ds this morning and he asked if a feminst was like a minx. He loves the beano and mini the minx ( a powerful girl who does not want to be defined by her gender). Do you think he is right? (I don't btw but am not sure why)

"Minx" is such an uncommon word that I don't have any context for it except Minnie. Is she better or worse than Dennis the Menace?

Maybe she'll grow up to be a buxom prolix aviatrix.

Um, minx is sort of a diminutive word for a slightly naughty little girl isn't it? Kind of like whipper-snapper or something. So, er, I suppose you need to say to him that that's what "minx" is, what M the M does could be described as X, Y and Z. Erm, subversive, questioning authority, behaving as she wants to rather than as people think "girls should" behave. In those ways I suppose she is a feminist (is a v long time since I read her though!)

It depends how you define "minx".

Some definitions of "minx" that are not similar to "feminist":

• "a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men".
• "a seductive, sexy woman or girl of loose morals".

On the other hand, if you use the definition "cheeky or mischievous girl", then that is much more feminist-friendly.

I associate minx with seduction too. Of course it is perfectly possible that someone could be both a feminist and occasionally behave like a minx, but it's not a particularly natural association.

I would say that Mini the Minx was a tomboy, but I've not read the Beano for many many years.

"Tomboy" is a problematic term for feminists too. Though 2 of my dds define themselves as "tomboys". They aren't like boys. They are girls who like some things traditionally associated with boys.

You could tell your ds though that yes, Minnie the minx is a girl who doesn't conform to the expectations people have of girls, which is a start towards feminism.

the only person who has ever called me a minx is now a Tory MP.
horrible patronising word....

the 'cheeky' side of it is horrible as well though because it suggests someone who is subordinate - you cheek people in authority.

Minnie the Minx is not really a minx, they only called her that because of the alliteration IMHO.

I think minx and feminist are miles apart. As Seth says, Minnie the Minx isn't a minx; it's just alliteration.

i'm wondering how you described feminism for him to have associated it with minnie the minx?

Minx is more generally used now as a sexual term.

I hear it describing sexually confident women. There's an edge to it, slightly admiring and disapproving at the same time.

So although it's used in a positive way, I think the assumptions behind it are pretty negative tbh.

isn't/wasn't there a teenage girls' magazine called Minx?

sethstarkaddersmackerel wrote - "the 'cheeky' side of it is horrible as well though because it suggests someone who is subordinate - you cheek people in authority."

Yes, good point. I agree that it is the authority figure who has the power to decide what constitutes "cheeky", but at least cheeky is better than e.g. "doormat", from the subordinate's point of view.

hahahahahahahahaha

Yay! I'm delighted to hear Minnie's still on the rampage!

She's an excellent role model imo - assuming she hasn't changed. She just wouldn't be right in sparkly pink hotpants.

Her name has bog all to do with flirtiness or sex appeal, for those who may be wondering. She's a female mirror of Dennis The Menace - who's no more "menacing" that Minnie is "minxy"

"isn't/wasn't there a teenage girls' magazine called Minx?"

There was indeed back in the 90s - it was a bit more of a minxy version of More. I seem to remember erotic short stories.

sethstark - they're children. They have plenty of legitimate authority figures to rebel against!

Minnie is a girl who thinks for herself. She actively rebels against being stereotyped. She's curious, enquiring and adventurous. What's not to like?

Wow, how did I miss that

Just been on a nostalgia trip and found this. :)
Reminded me about Beryl The Peril, too!

sorry Grace, I should have been clearer:

1. 'minx' isn't quite the right word for the cartoon character because she's not just cheeky, she's properly naughty in a much more impressive (perhaps even feminist....) way.
2. it is a problematic word when used of adult women and hence it is a dodgy word in itself - it is only used of girls, not boys, and that very gendering means that it is associated with adult characteristics.

yes, children do have legitimate authority figures to rebel against, and children can be cheeky.

okay so can we conclude

a) that the term minx is a million miles from what can be understood as a feminist as it describes someone who (wrongly) does not accept their subourdinate station

b) that mini the minx is not truly a minx is the way the word is usually used

c) that mini the minx is a good role model for girls and will probably grow up to be a feminist to her

I would also like to venture that the word minx should be claimed. It is problematic as it implies the authority is legitimate rather than the protest. We reject the authority