Women's History

From Chew Inclusive Terminology Glossary
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Term Contextual note Time/Region References
babe
banshee A female spirit in Irish folklore who heralds the death of a family member, usually by wailing, shrieking, or keening
bimbo
bird
bitch
Bossiness (LCSH) This is a gender-coded term, and typically is only used to refer to women or girls who are considered to be overly assertive or self-confident. Preferred subject headings: Assertiveness (Psychology); Assertiveness in women; Assertiveness in girls Cataloging Lab - Problem LCSH
catty
courtesan/s Originally used in the 13th century to mean the female equivalent of “courtier” – someone who attends the court of a monarch. From the 14th century, its meaning shifted to “a wanton woman, a mistress”. 1300- David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
concubine Often used as a euphemism for sexual slavery
chick International Centre for Missing & Exploited Childen - Glossary on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Child pornography Pornography is meant to be a consensual industry. By law, children cannot consent. Child sexual abuse material is more accurate.
crone Term used to refer to an elderly woman, usually characterised negatively as ugly, disagreeable and evil. Characterisation enhanced through misogynistic and ageist beliefs.
dame/s
Defloration (LCSH) Virginity. https://cataloginglab.org/kb/defloration/
doll
fag
feminazi/s Derogatory term for a radical feminist. USA Today - A feminist glossary
FGM

Female genital mutilation

filthy
floozy
frigidity

frigid

Norena Shopland, A Practical Guide to searching LGBTQIA historical records (Routledge 2021)
gal/s
Gentleman Jack

Jack

Term used to denote “masculine” women in Britain and its colonies Female homosexuality Norena Shopland, A Practical Guide to searching LGBTQIA historical records (Routledge 2021)
girl/s Disparaging when used to describe a grown woman
goddess/es “Deities” sometimes preferred, such as in Native Hawaiian discourse.
Governess

Governor

From the 15th century onwards, meaning “a woman who holds or exercises authority over a place, institution, or group of people”. Over time it drastically narrowed in scope and fell in status, coming to mean “a woman responsible for the care, supervision, or direction of a person, typically a child or young lady”. 1400- David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
hag Term used to refer to an elderly woman, usually characterised negatively as ugly, disagreeable, and evil. Characterisation enhanced through misogynistic and ageist beliefs.
harlot A derogatory term for a female prostitute
he

his

him

Avoid the generic “he” Council of Europe – Stop Sexism
hoe/s
hoochie/s
hussy

hussies

Originally meant a female head of household. A contraction of 13th century husewif. From the 17th century onwards, it began to mean “a disreputable woman of improper behaviour” 1600- David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
hysterical

hormonal

neurotic

emotional’

irrational

Illegitimate children (LCSH)

Illegitimacy (LCSH)

Nonmarital births; Children of unmarried parents Cataloging Lab - Problem LCSH
incel A member of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually, typically associated with views that are hostile towards women and men who are sexually active. 2000s-
Kings and rulers (LCSH) Sovereigns Cataloging Lab - Problem LCSH
lady doctor Your Dictionary – Sexist Language
…like a girl
loose

loose woman

Madam

Sir

Sometimes used as the female equivalent of “Sir” in formal contexts today. From the late 18th century it was also used to mean “a conceited or precocious girl or young woman; a hussy, a minx”, alternatively a kept mistress or prostitute. From the 19th century it was used to refer to the female manager of a brothel. 1800- David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
man

mankind

Do not use the word “man” to refer to humanity. UA Little Rock – Avoid Sexist Language
maiden

maidenhood

old maid

Women have historically been defined by their sexual activity in a way that men are not. These terms suggest that true womanhood depends on marriage to a man / sexual intercourse with a man. “Maidenhood” was presented as something to be ‘lost’ or ‘given’, with misogynistic moral judgements being placed on women’s behaviour but not men’s’. Kirsten MacQuarrie
mistress Originally meant to mean “a woman having control or authority”. After the 17th century it was used to mean “a woman other than his wife with whom a man had a long-lasting sexual relationship” 1600- David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
Mrs.

Mrs

mutton dressed as lamb
nympho/s
Pregnant women Pregnant people Cataloging Lab - Problem LCSH
prostitutes/s

Prostitution

prozzie/s

prozzy/s

sex workers

sex work

fallen angels

puta (Spanish) A prostitute or a woman who has many casual sexual encounters or relationships.
scarlet woman
shrew/s
skank/s
skirt
slag/s

slut/s

slutty

spinster

bachelor

An occupation term that originally referred to someone who spun yarn or thread. The term became associated with unmarried women, since they might have to rely on spinning as a source of income. It became the legal way to refer to a woman without a husband. In the 18th century it was used to refer to single women considered beyond the usual age of marriage. David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
tart 19th century contraction of “sweetheart”, a term of endearment for women. From 1887, it is attested as meaning “a female of moral character; a prostitute”. David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
tomboy/s Expression originated in the 16th century to name a young girl who prefers activities, appearance, and kid attitude, of the allegedly male. It can also be used for an effeminate boy trying to look masculine. 1500-, women’s history, male homosexuality Mosca de Colores – Gay Dictionary
tootsie
tramp/s

trampy

a woman who has many casual sexual encounters or relationships.
trollop/s

trollope/s

Prostitute or a woman who has many casual sexual encounters or relationships.
virginity

virgin/s

pure

purity

Misrepresented as a medical ‘state’ and unevenly applied to men and women. Kirsten MacQuarrie
wench/es David Shariatmadari – Eight words that reveal sexism at the heart of the English language
whore/s

whorish