Words matter. They carry some real weight. Simon Moritz, an out and proud gay man, recently tore down an experience where he was called a common gay slur. It made him realize that a real part of homophobia is linked to misogyny. He exposes the celebration of masculinity, in gay culture, as another example of  “demonizing femininity.” He discusses how being labeled made him question the root of that label. He discovered a ... Read More

A gem from the Mansplaining Paul Ryan meme I was absolutely smitten with the word “mansplaining” when it first emerged a couple years back. The term fit my particular frustration with being talked down to by male classmates, professors, and employers like a cozy little sweater of outrage. I found it extremely satisfying to call out offending men-folk with the snappy little portmanteau, and feminist blogs adopted the idea of ... Read More

Name-calling has always been unfortunately common in elementary, middle, and high schools, but in recent years, people have begun to realize that it’s not just part of growing up, but a serious problem. The Backbone Zone, an anti-bullying project that “helps students find theirs,” has released a poster campaign that gives students tools to confront sexist and homophobic language when they hear and see it.   The ... Read More

Flappers knew how to get dolled up and keep it copacetic in the 20s, and today we love them just as much as they would have wanted us to. Besides partying and staying in style, these ladies created a whole new language so catchy that a lot of it stuck around until today. We all know that the Real McCoy is the cat’s pajamas, not to take any wooden nickels, and that no one likes a wet blanket. But do you know what “Butt me” ... Read More

Leave it to The Gray Lady to publish a story about a very current case involving New York cheerleaders that uses archaic, offensive, and misogynistic language.  The cheerleaders' woes began some three months ago when a group of girls from a high school outside Buffalo, NY, began to exhibit uncontrollable tics. Last week it was widely reported that the cause was "conversion disorder." The Today Show also flashed around the words "mass ... Read More