Gendered Slang/Language: March 1st 2015

There are a lot of terms that are thrown around today that can be considered offensive to other people. We have become so accustomed to using them what we don't even realize it.

The first term that is used often is "___ has balls!", or "That was ballsy." This term is referring to when someone, male or female, does something that is daring or audacious. They are doing something impressive that normally wouldn't be done. The most common time I hear this term is when I'm driving around with my friends, especially males ones. When someone cuts them off, or runs a yellow light, etc, they'll say something along the lines of "that guys has huge balls!" Even though a male is commenting with these terms, it doesn't make that term any less sexist. This term is also misconstrued. It may seem like a compliment if it is being applied to a woman, but in reality it is just stating that 'having balls' is a must to be courageous. So a woman isn't normally audacious because she doesn't actually have balls.

Another group of terms that is used a lot are the terms "booty call" and "walk of shame". "Booty call" is understood to be when a male calls up a female late at night for sex. What makes this offensive is that it makes women seem to be objects that men can just summon when they want sex; that they are there for a man's pleasure whenever and wherever he wants. This term is also usually thought of involving men calling women, when it isn't really unlikely for a woman to call up a man. But in our society, something like this makes a woman seem "thirsty". This term is also derogatory because it makes the woman seem too eager and desperate. Finally, the term "walk of shame" is one that we hear a lot, especially on college campuses. a "walk of shame" is when a woman (or man) stays the night in someone else room or home, and walks home in their outfit from last night. It is a very judgmental term because when you see someone walking home in the party outfit from the night before, you can't help but think things like 'they must have drank too much last night', or 'I wonder whose bed they're coming from?'. Terms such as these make men and women judge what they see in a derogatory manner.

There are many other terms that are used in today society, some of which include "hook-up", "friends with benefits", or "sext". All of these terms, and more, have very gender specific meanings, and degrade a certain sex or gender based on the way they are used. Unfortunately, I think these terms are here to stay. People tend to not even realize what these phrases and terms even mean, and how they can be offensive to certain people.