Daisy Lewis, the Downton Abbey actress asks the question that's probably on your mind, "Have you heard a man described as feisty? Have you heard a male character described as feisty? I think not." #raisedeyebrow
The word is supposed to be gender neutral, applicable to both men and women. And why is that you ask? Because maleness is associated with the inability to be in touch with your emotions. #B****PLEASEĮmotional is to Woman, as Emotionless is to man. Because we're all pretty fluffy unicorns, always excited and batting our lashes at men. #doublestandardsĮxcited, glowing, animated! Let me ask you something when have you ever heard a man referred to as being bubbly? Answer: never. Men? Nah, He's the boss, he has an excuse for being mean. Oh yes, on top of being bitches, women can also be bitchy, which basically means being 'malicious or snide.' This word is usually associated women in powerful positions, like a female boss or CEO. Together we can encourage girls to lead." #banbossy By middle school, girls are less interested in leading than boys-a trend that continues into adulthood. Words like bossy send a message: don't raise your hand or speak up. As Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook claims, "When a little boy asserts himself, he's called a “leader.” Yet when a little girl does the same, she risks being branded “bossy.” While men are called strong-minded and are rarely called bossy, for women it has much less flattering connotation. I can't tell you how many times I've been called bossy. Contrary to women, men were actually encouraged to be MORE aggressive.
#NEGATIVE NANCY SYNONYMS PROFESSIONAL#
Even Forbes conducted a study where they claimed that "abrasive" appeared "17 times in women's professional performance reviews" and only once for men. This word is the up and coming term to describe women in powerful positions.
Just ask Cara Delevingne and Madonna, two women who have been criticized for being too ambitious. Nothing bad about it right? But when used in accordance to women, being ambitious is not a positive trait but rather one that is frowned upon.