I want more words in the English Language that..

posted October 19th, 2016 at 11:16 AM

...describe specifically female (or female-identified) feelings and states of being. Because, ladies, we know that there are certain aspects to being a woman that men simply don't have to deal with, or can choose not to care about, or cannot independently conceive of. I'm not saying men are dumb. I'm saying that our language itself occludes the experience of half the human population. We could debate how this came to be (short answer! women's basic human rights have been denied by men and patriarchy for most (let's be honest, all) of recorded history), but I'm more interested in readers here, now, making up a word that captures something nuanced that they've never seen captured by language before. Words solidify experience. And ladies, your experience is valid. I'll start: contemptiofemina: the feeling when an individual is dismissing your thoughts or wishes purely on the basis that you are a woman metumambulantes: fear that your plans for safely travelling to and from an event will fall-through and you will be stuck walking alone in the dark Queue genuine responses coupled with misogynistic trolls!

6 Comments

Quimsical

Oct 19, 2016 at 8:03pm

I have always thought that women needed their own phrase for feeling turned on... So I invented one. The word "quim" is an old fashioned word referring to the vagina. Thus, quimsical

the OP

Oct 19, 2016 at 10:16pm

Obviously has no idea what it's like to be a man. I think they have wasted too much time in gender studies. It's not because you are a woman that no one listens to you, it's because you say dumb things. You can come up with a term for that all you like, or you can embrace the fact that living in a first world country in the west, you really have NOTHING to complain about.

@theop

Oct 20, 2016 at 12:58am

centricized- overlooked and ignored on relevant issues because they are not something everyone wants to talk about and refer to only the women id population.
destandard- when we are told not to complain because we have it so good yet, we can clearly see and feel, we do not have the equality and equal opportunity that men have, or even adequate resources to the many forms of violence we take on.
I have a bunch more, and I don't think it's easy being a man, but you not understanding what op is complaining and comment about and doesn't have a right to complain is the result of sexism still existing

Exhaustomenses: the absolute fatigue

Oct 20, 2016 at 6:59am

That can sometimes accompany menstruation. When you just need a cosy blanket & a cup of tea

" I'm sorry I can't make it in too work today- I have Exhaustomenses"

Boss: "oh no problem, take the next two days to recover, don't worry you will still get paid"

All those words are too long.

Oct 20, 2016 at 12:11pm

No one would use them. When I have my period I simply announce it if I'm acting overly emotional etc. If men don't understand it's because they are living under a rock. I feel like women don't give men the credit they deserve for being understanding of women. Maybe I have sensitive men in my life which I am grateful for but I don't have time for mysoginistic assholes.

on the lighter side

Oct 20, 2016 at 9:25pm

Galgratta: the feeling you get when a man may open a door, scootch over to make more room or offer his seat, for no particular reason except he is simply being thoughtful and kind. "Man, it was so galgratta of that guy to help me jam my 'carry-on' into the overhead compartment."

Huggrin: Offered when you are emphatically mumbling while trying to fix or assemble something. Your SO watches, knowing that what you're contemplating doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of actually working; but, he finds your exasperated tenacity completely undoing. He wisely remains silent though, has a definite huggrin on his face.

Womessssant: The feeling when you find something utterly fabulous at a consignment shop. As you try it on, it literally sucks onto your body with a vacuum-seal sound....schlooop! You check the tag. Ching! Crazy low price! You check yourself in the mirror. It looks fantastic, feels great and wearing it amplifies your own sense of beauty and strength. Man, do you feel womesssant or what?!