to me - it's a word to describe a group of women and "Women..." kind of sounds clunky (sounds like "Gentlemen, start your engines" or something. Don't let one person (or even a few people) speak for all women (or feminists). That's how we got in this mess.
Truthfully, I had no idea what that post was about and perceived that it was an attempt to start trouble. I had not seen the post you were questioning over in GD and thought maybe you had gotten us confused with the History of Feminism forum (thought maybe one of them might have given you shit or something) Given the hell the Feminist forum has gone through the last few months, it was more like "Oh, god, not going through this shit again".
I don't think I have as many issues with words as some other women. Obvious words like "p*ssy", "b**ch", "c*nt"... there's really no mistaking that those are misogynistic and I'm not likely to accept someone saying "I didn't know". I'm not that fond of douchebag, either, but other women have not had a problem with that one. But... *I* am not the arbiter of words that are OK to use. I am uncomfortable with any one person or group of people being the arbiter of words that are allowed to be used.
I had to look "candy ass" up, because I truthfully didn't know if it was sexist or not. It didn't seem to be, but then someone else pointed out that it might be homophobic. I do not understand people that get all up in arms the first time a kind of nebulous word is used.
I don't see why people can't be more civil and say "Hey, Trumad - that word is kind of used to describe this bad thing and you should probably avoid using it", instead of "Hey Trumad, you sexist asshole, I'm coming for you with my pitchfork". I think you know which words are obviously sexist. After that, do the best you can and hope that people don't jump on you - both guns a blazing. I know how that feels and it's not at all fun.
(by the way - I do really appreciate you coming back and explaining. I would have had no clue without this post)
= new reply since forum marked as read