Lighthearted (if possible on here?)

[Nogodsnomasters]

Why are you all so annoyed about the word hysterical being used to describe a woman? Even if she IS being hysterical!!? It's a perfectly good word.

@maryz well you would be the first so forgive me for accusing you of being demanding, though I don't appreciate being called a twat but I digress....

No I don't expect any one to shut up or agree with me, I don't know where I've given that impression? I've tried to keep up responses with at least 4-5 different users as best I can.

For you personally yeah of course I can see why you would find this offensive however random Joe bloggs no, I believe being offended over this word when it's had no impact on your life and the user is using it in the correct terminology and not to dismiss someone is silly and snowflaky. Which is another term I will probably get eaten alive for using fs but technically I would be an older millennial so am using it about my own group before anyone jumps down my damn throat.

this thread is a neat illustration of how misogyny is the one "ism" that is apparently OK

Black people objected to the use of the N word, so most right-thinking people stopped using it

People with disabilities objected to the use of various terms that were common in the playground when I was at school, and most right-minded people have stopped using them

Women object to the use of "hysteria" and are told that they have no right to do so, it's a word that is now used differently and has shed its historical connotations

Because in 99% of cases it's used to belittle a woman as irrational.

99% is a bit of an oversight

Overstatement, I guess you meant? Maybe. And It may not be done deliberately.... that doesn't necessarily make it much better. Banal everyday misogynistic use of language.

What is your opinion on my great grandmother's diagnosis of "hysteria" op? The one that had her admitted to a psych unit for 30 years? Is that lighthearted in your view?
Oh my gosh Maryz how awful I dread to think how she was treaded in there.

I came on to say did you know the vibrator was invented as a cure for hysteria?
Nothing to do with female autonomous sex satisfaction but invented by men, to cure a woman if she gets angry with her husband or thinks out of line. "She just needs a good fuck" is still spouted out these days.

Luckily women have "reclaimed" the vibrator, but the word hysterical is still used as a feminine descriptor.

m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/clare-short-attacks-hysterical-media-coverage-of-oxfam-scandal-and-claims-entire-aid-sector-smeared-bbc-week-in-westminster_uk_5a904334e4b0ee6416a2e10e

I gave examples of a man describing himself as hysterical, of a woman describing herself as hysterical; of a journalist describing the entire Trump team as hysterical.

The link here is just one of many where the word is not used in the narrow way suggested on here. The policers of language on here can choose not to use the word if they want but the outside world doesn't have to agree with them.

Are you going to tell this woman off for using it?
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/children-left-screaming-hysterical-after-1533609

In the last place I worked there was a serious issues around the behaviour and non existent work of an interim manager, he used the word hysterical and refereed to us as a coven to the the board when several staff members ( everyone employed was female) brought the issues to their attention.

Like most words it’s about context, this word is often used to dismiss women and their concerns.

Not refereed, I meant referred. We weren’t playing football.

The thing is Lass
A politician once used the word "cretin" to describe someone, and disabled groups spoke up saying he was ignorant because it used to be a term used for people with a disability.
Nowadays it's used as a term to mean "unlikeable person" but I always avoid it because it's offensive to other people.

I wouldn't go onto a disability forum and say
"Why can't I call people a cretin the meaning has changed you know" and berate them for it.

Why do that?

and when used to describe men, my reading would be that it's extra pejorative because it is a word traditionally associated with women. so for me it's like insult +

sigh

for men it's like insult +

People on here have a severe habit of creating things in their own minds.

Youre on here...

But in answer to your op...personally, i do use it in a 'gosh that was funny way' i wouldnt be annoyed by ' his 4 year old was lost and he was hysterical' and i wouldn't use it in a 'christ clare don't get hysterical' way

BUT....the history of it still means that its used mainly in a derogatory way against females

And in my missing child example

I doubt that anyone would have called called my husband hysterical when the two year old went missing

even if he was agitated...

(We both pretty calm...wouldnt have lasted long )

lass

I dont completely disagree with you

But you are very well aware that some young black people use the n word in relation to themselves

And some women use the word bitch

And i know damn well you wouldnt use either word to describe anyone else...(cos you are always really polite )

Oh god

You can tell how fast i read a thread

Ladies? shockangry We are the Feminazgûl!

Classic!!

Seems, like it went over the Dark Lord's head though.

There's nothing light-hearted about a word that has been used for hundreds of years to inflict horrendous cruelty against women and to think that there is says as much about the OP as the word itself.

Also it's no coincidence this word came up on another thread and was used to throw out a hook and see who'd respond emotionally - then viola - we get this thread later.

Off to talk to Sauron...

Yes... which train of events makes me inclined to think the motivation for starting this thread breaks the talk guideline of being 'deliberately inflammatory'.

There are words that are used to diminish and sideline women and their opinions that are never used about men- except occasionally gay men. Hysterical is one of them. Shrill, shrieking and strident are three more. It's dog whistle sexism. Have a look at any thread on here where someone makes even the most mildly feminist objection to something-being called a girl, for example-and I guarantee one of those words will appear on the first page.

I think Nogodsnomasters partook of too much wedding hospitality yesterday and fancied a barney TBH.

It is a point worth noting that women and girls are the most common knee jerk insult for the other half of the human population.
Men call each other girls to denigrate and humiliate them.

This thread has been a real education for me.
The goady posts and thread are still here but saying that no one knows who you are on the interwebs was deleted.
Thanks @MNHQ for your clear response to my concerns.
Your complicity in destroying FWR is clear.