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From: janec@tektools.UUCP (Jane Caputo)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Yet another new reader. Keywd: GIRLS
Message-ID: <168@tektools.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 20-Mar-85 02:34:03 EST
Article-I.D.: tektools.168
Posted: Wed Mar 20 02:34:03 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Mar-85 02:37:03 EST
References: <5194@tektronix.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 48

Let me add a word or two, since the older female viewpoint has been missing:
> 
> >> The word "girl" has at least two meanings.  It can refer to any
> >> prepubescent female.  Also, it is often used to describe any
> >> adult female who is still young enough to be sexually attractive.
> 
> FLAME ON!
> YOUNG ENOUGH ?!?!!?  What makes you think that age has anything whatever
> to do with attractiveness of *any* kind, let alone sexual ?
> Flame off
Thanks, Paul.  Once upon a time, there was a heavy sexual connotation to the 
word woman, as in the phrase "real woman" (before the lunatic fringe got ahold 
of it.) There are still some of us around who don't do a bad job of living up 
to that, aged and feeble though we may be. :-)

> >> In the second context, the word "girl" is used to avoid the negative
> >> connotations often associated with the word "woman" (one such negative
> >> connotation is a middle-age spread--check out who shops the "women's
> >> sizes" at Sears).
Believe it or not, some of us don't wear "women's sizes" and some of us don't
shop at Sears.
> 
> >> Is "young lady" okay or is there a bad connotation there too?
> 
> I would agree with that being used for a woman of a young enough age
> (where young enough is relative to your own age).
This is the one place I have to disagree with you, Paul.  I think "young
lady" is one of those great equal opportunity phrases.  As someone said,
say that to a 40-year-old woman and watch her smile.  Also watch her snicker.
My 18-year-old daughter, on the other hand, would snarl at you (but what
can you expect from the younger generation? :-)  )  I am quite sure it would
offend more people than "girl" -- at least teenagers and many women over 55 or
so are comfortable with that one.  Really now, is there anybody out there who
likes being called a young gentleman?

I think "lady" is probably the most acceptable across the board today, but
the more educated, independent women (those you are most likely to 
meet) generally prefer "woman".  There is one pitfall, though:
when used with a possessive (my woman) or as direct address (come here, woman)
that word takes on heavy redneck connotations.  Better be very sure of the
person and the situation before you try that.  I personally find it 
intolerable in nearly all situations, but on occasion it can be delicious.
With these (or any other) words, you need to make a distinction between
public language, which should be neutral and inoffensive as possible, and
private language, which can be much freer (and more fun!)

Jane Caputo
{allegra, ihnp4, decvax, ucbvax...}!tektronix!tektools!janec