Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Godless Dave · 02-12-2003, 04:44 AM

I've heard (and used) the word "guys" to refer to a mixed group of people, and even for a group of all women. But one guy is always male; you wouldn't (generally) call a woman a guy. "Dude" seems to me to be even more male. So what should the female equivalent be? "Chicks" is offensive to many. "Gals" is offensive to some. Are there other options? I'd like to use "gals" but I never know who I'm going to piss off.

BigJim · 02-12-2003, 04:47 AM

babes?

Hos?

Sluts?

biotches?

Vienna · 02-12-2003, 06:10 AM

I would think "girls" would be the most appropriate. It's pretty much the same as "gals" but less ... well, just less.

I often say "guys and girls".

AquaVita · 02-12-2003, 06:12 AM

I never fail to make some hearts swoon with "Hello Ladies"

Monkeybot · 02-12-2003, 06:44 AM

I personally hate the word "gal," not that I find it particularly offensive, it just... kind of irritates me. Just one of those things, I guess.

I actually have no problem with calling a group of women "guys," that's generally what I tend to use anyway.

livius drusus · 02-12-2003, 06:56 AM

Well, my friend Bethany is partial to "flapping twat" but I usually stick with "guys" or "groovy chicks" a la Greg Brady.

Godless Dave · 02-12-2003, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vienna
I would think "girls" would be the most appropriate. It's pretty much the same as "gals" but less ... well, just less.

I often say "guys and girls".

Unfortunately in American English "girl" is the feminine equivalent of "boy". So saying guys and girls implies that the women you are referring to are not adults. Most gender specific nouns come in pairs:

men - women
gentlemen - ladies
boys - girls
dudes - chicks
guys - ???

wildernesse · 02-12-2003, 07:06 AM

I think that guy : gals is the correct correlation.

I've never known anyone to be offended at being called a gal. Hmmm. What's exactly offensive about it? Is it like being called "Miss"? I don't like being called Miss. (just say "excuse me", if you want my attention or "ma'am", for crying out loud)

My family always calls the lot of us cousins "girlies"--but I doubt that will be helpful.

I think that calling a group of women "guys" is fine--and if you're talking to an individual, then their name is best. Of course, if you're talking *about* an individual, I would probably say girl/woman/lady depending on age and where you are in the world.

Saying "See that gal over there?" makes me think the speaker is in a Western. heehee

--tibac

AquaVita · 02-12-2003, 07:07 AM

Why is it that some people find "gals" offensive? Sorry if this is obvious....but I never really thought of it as being derogatory.

mongrel · 02-12-2003, 07:36 AM

A few women I used to know used the term dudettes.

02-12-2003, 04:44 AM	#1
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	female equivalent of "guys" and "dudes" I've heard (and used) the word "guys" to refer to a mixed group of people, and even for a group of all women. But one guy is always male; you wouldn't (generally) call a woman a guy. "Dude" seems to me to be even more male. So what should the female equivalent be? "Chicks" is offensive to many. "Gals" is offensive to some. Are there other options? I'd like to use "gals" but I never know who I'm going to piss off.

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02-12-2003, 04:47 AM	#2
BigJim Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Stepford, CT Posts: 4,296	babes? Hos? Sluts? biotches?

02-12-2003, 06:10 AM	#3
Vienna Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 157	I would think "girls" would be the most appropriate. It's pretty much the same as "gals" but less ... well, just less. I often say "guys and girls".

02-12-2003, 06:12 AM	#4
AquaVita Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 4,351	I never fail to make some hearts swoon with "Hello Ladies"

02-12-2003, 06:44 AM	#5
Monkeybot Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,102	I personally hate the word "gal," not that I find it particularly offensive, it just... kind of irritates me. Just one of those things, I guess. I actually have no problem with calling a group of women "guys," that's generally what I tend to use anyway.

02-12-2003, 06:56 AM	#6
livius drusus Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Selva Oscura Posts: 4,120	Well, my friend Bethany is partial to "flapping twat" but I usually stick with "guys" or "groovy chicks" a la Greg Brady.

02-12-2003, 07:06 AM	#8
wildernesse Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,578	I think that guy : gals is the correct correlation. I've never known anyone to be offended at being called a gal. Hmmm. What's exactly offensive about it? Is it like being called "Miss"? I don't like being called Miss. (just say "excuse me", if you want my attention or "ma'am", for crying out loud) My family always calls the lot of us cousins "girlies"--but I doubt that will be helpful. I think that calling a group of women "guys" is fine--and if you're talking to an individual, then their name is best. Of course, if you're talking about an individual, I would probably say girl/woman/lady depending on age and where you are in the world. Saying "See that gal over there?" makes me think the speaker is in a Western. heehee --tibac

02-12-2003, 07:07 AM	#9
AquaVita Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 4,351	Why is it that some people find "gals" offensive? Sorry if this is obvious....but I never really thought of it as being derogatory.

02-12-2003, 07:36 AM	#10
mongrel Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: North of the South Pole Posts: 5,177	A few women I used to know used the term dudettes.

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