I agree - it's about time this comic went audio - The voice of Jenkins in my head saying 'Ladies' (or 'Lay-deez', which is how it sounds, with the stress on the first syllable) is sordid enough to make my brain cringe. No matter how suggestive and sleazy he really sounds, it can't be as bad as it is inside my Wernicke's area . . .
"Chicks" is becoming specific to young, hot, and reasonably hip. "Women" is always okay, because it is the non-slang term for adult human female in this language. "Gals" is okay because it doesn't have negative connotations. "Girls" is fine for human females under eighteen, "young girls" for girls under twelve (the oldest woman I've heard spoken of as a "young girl" was a 37 year old murder victim, in a newscast) "Females" is fine for non-humans, or for police speaking of human females of indetermitate age - 15 through 20. Then theres "Bitch" I'll answer to that if you're not being hostile, because I am a bitch, although I'm not anybody's bitch. Truth only hurts if you've been lying to yourself.
Recently referred to a group of male colleagues as "men" and it was as cringe-worthy as Jenkins' "ladies". I'm sticking to "all y'alls" from here on out.
I am a lady. I call girls (and myself) chicks all the time. Some ladies don't like being called chicks. I picked up the habit from an uncle, but if I'm to be verbally compared to something, might as well be a baby chicken. They are fuckin' adorable.
All the collective words for groups of women in English were created with the sure knowledge that women were inferior, with limited uses (mostly sexual), and never really mature mentally or emotionally. That's why none of them sound right to modern people who don't think that way. Although I'm thinking we could make "fems" work. :)
Wasn't "dame" the female equivalent of "sir"? When did it become weird? Also, when I say out loud or read the word "ladies" never sounds creepy, but when I read it in Jenkins' dialog bubble, it sounds disturbing no matter what I do.
"Lady" and "Dame" both started as titles equivalent of "Lord" and "Sir" (capital indicates knighthood). I haven't had any females offended by me using "lady" or "ladies", at least not that they've mentioned. If you can say it in the same tone of voice as you'd address an actual titled lady, you're probably all right.
November 8, 2012
Reader Comments (53)
My brother calls me dude. Sometimes dawg, which I object to fairly strenuously.
I usually say "women-folk." ...but with a deliberate pause so they know I'd rather have said "chicks" or something.
Said it before and I'll say it again: tomatoes.
@ moojen
I agree - it's about time this comic went audio - The voice of Jenkins in my head saying 'Ladies' (or 'Lay-deez', which is how it sounds, with the stress on the first syllable) is sordid enough to make my brain cringe.
No matter how suggestive and sleazy he really sounds, it can't be as bad as it is inside my Wernicke's area . . .
"Chicks" is becoming specific to young, hot, and reasonably hip.
"Women" is always okay, because it is the non-slang term for adult human female in this language.
"Gals" is okay because it doesn't have negative connotations.
"Girls" is fine for human females under eighteen, "young girls" for girls under twelve (the oldest woman I've heard spoken of as a "young girl" was a 37 year old murder victim, in a newscast)
"Females" is fine for non-humans, or for police speaking of human females of indetermitate age - 15 through 20.
Then theres "Bitch"
I'll answer to that if you're not being hostile, because I am a bitch, although I'm not anybody's bitch. Truth only hurts if you've been lying to yourself.
Weemens?
I always liked using "Pretty Lady" but only in my best Andre the Giant voice.
I didn't say it works...
Recently referred to a group of male colleagues as "men" and it was as cringe-worthy as Jenkins' "ladies". I'm sticking to "all y'alls" from here on out.
I am a lady. I call girls (and myself) chicks all the time. Some ladies don't like being called chicks. I picked up the habit from an uncle, but if I'm to be verbally compared to something, might as well be a baby chicken. They are fuckin' adorable.
All the collective words for groups of women in English were created with the sure knowledge that women were inferior, with limited uses (mostly sexual), and never really mature mentally or emotionally. That's why none of them sound right to modern people who don't think that way. Although I'm thinking we could make "fems" work. :)
Also: very funny comic!
I've been spending too much time around Tumblr's social justice squad, so to me this is less funny than it is sad.
Wasn't "dame" the female equivalent of "sir"? When did it become weird?
Also, when I say out loud or read the word "ladies" never sounds creepy, but when I read it in Jenkins' dialog bubble, it sounds disturbing no matter what I do.
"Lady" and "Dame" both started as titles equivalent of "Lord" and "Sir" (capital indicates knighthood). I haven't had any females offended by me using "lady" or "ladies", at least not that they've mentioned. If you can say it in the same tone of voice as you'd address an actual titled lady, you're probably all right.