Does this Dictionary.com definition offend you?

[procopia]

Dictionary.com has this definition of "feminazi":

Main Entry: feminazi
Part of Speech: n
Definition: an extreme feminist who believes the option of abortion is essential to the political, social, and economic advancement of women
Etymology: feminist + Nazi
Usage: derogatory

To me, this definition suggests that pro-choicers are "extreme."

[LisaM]

1. Wow, that is offensive on multiple levels

Why doesn't it say that it was coined by angry misogynist Rush Limbaugh and give the true origins of the word?

[procopia]

4. Exactly...

Even the inclusion of the word in the dictionary is offensive to me.

[Katherine Brengle]

19. Because it was coined by Tom Hazlett.

Limpballs just co-opted it.

Like the man could be credited with originality?

[LisaM]

22. LOL, good point!

I guess I'll have to look up this Tom Hazlett guy.

[Katherine Brengle]

26. lol

[jobycom]

2. I'm offended by the definition, the word, and the dictionary that includes it. nt

[Kolesar]

3. DUers must boycott Websters!

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/feminazi%20

Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.7)
Copyright © 2003-2007 Lexico Publishing Group, LLC

[procopia]

6. I wonder if there is a way to submit a grievance (nt)

[jgraz]

5. Also wrong

Rush's use of "feminazi" is rarely connected to abortion. As far as I can tell, he applies it to any woman who doesn't want to fuck him.

In other words, everyone.

[dmallind]

8. Te first part of your post is the worst thing about this.

That's not even a good definition of the term, regardless of how offensive it is or isn't.

A reminder here that dictionaries list usages rather than only technically correct definitions, and certainly can, do and should include offensive usages.

But they should get them right.

I have never heard even the most ardent neanderthal mysogynist equate "feminazi" exclsuively or even primarily with abortion rights. It's always used to my mind in the same way as "uppity" is for blacks - in the sense of women who dare to believe that maybe just maybe they are equal to men and should be treated as such. I'm sure the dittoheads think that feminazia are all pro choice, but I don't think they consider the terms to be synonymous. "Feminazi" is, to them, a strident campaigner for women's equality and women's rights, of which abortion rights is only one part.

[ThomCat]

10. I think you're correct.

He called Hillary a feminazi a bunch of times in the 90s just because it was a good way to smear her as a radical. It had nothing to do with choice. He used it as a smear against any woman who dared to stand up and speak, who wasn't a mouthpiece for the right.

[C_U_L8R]

7. Do they have a definition of Freeper

as in a gelatinous tub of ignorant cholesterol-ridden chickenhawk poop.

[Eileen]

13. Correct definitions:

Feminist: A person who believes women are people.

Extreme Feminist: A person who believes women are people and have rights.

Feminatzi: A person who believes women are people with rights and acts in such a way that those rights are used.



- Eileen`s always in process page -


Eileen

{on edit} They can't even get the spelling right - the name Natzi referred to the Nationalsozialistische deutsche Arbeiter-Partei, National Socialist German Workers' Party

[procopia]

14. Thanks, Eileen!

I'm a frequent visitor to your site, a wonderful resource!

[C_U_L8R]

15. right on :-))))

[ThomCat]

9. It's very offensive.

It assumes that being firmly pro-choice is extreme. It suggests that having an understanding of the importance of choice in women's lives is extreme. It implies that choice can only be viewed as an isolated special interest.

[DrDan]

11. I think you are wrong - I think it implies only

feminists that are pro-choice are extemists . . .

[ThomCat]

16. And why would feminists who are pro-choice be extremists?

What is it about being pro-choice that makes anyone an extremist?

And isn't it offensive to immediately declare that the vast, vast majority of feminists are all extremists?

Isn't it offensive to declare that being pro-choice makes anyone an extremist? The majority of people in this country consistently poll pro-choice.

[DrDan]

17. whoa - did I say I thought they were extremists? I don't believe I said that.

I was just clarifying what I thought I read.

I am pro-choice and have been in favor of equal rights all my 6 decades of life.

[Katherine Brengle]

21. Ah, okay, disregard my other post them. Apologies.

[Katherine Brengle]

20. Are you saying 1) That there are feminists who are NOT pro-choice, and 2)

That all feminists are extremists?

Forgive me if I misunderstood.

[Frosty1]

12. Yes

:grr:

[Katherine Brengle]

18. I think it's ridiculous that there's a listing.

The word offends me, but whatever. People who use it can kiss my ass. They clearly know nothing about feminism and have no respect for women in general.

They're the kind of people who pretend they respect women, as long as those women are cooking and cleaning and making babies and keeping their mouths shut (except when opening is necessary of course).

[Mad_Dem_X]

23. Uh, yeah. Very. n/t

[Orrex]

24. Aside from being offensive, which it is...

It's also stupidly inaccurate. Shame on Dictionary.com for playing so completely into the freeper mindset.

IMO a more honest definition, if one were for some reason necessary, would be something like:

A deceptive caricature based on a false and extremely biased stereotype of feminism.

There might also be a lengthy footnote discussing the myriad inadequacies of the coiner of the term.

[Kipling]

25. What's wrong with that is the lack of context.

If insults are going to be put in the dictionary - and they should be, because they're still words with meanings - then it needs to be made clear that they are subjective rather than objective terms. It should be:
Feminazi: Derogatory term for a feminist or advocate of abortion rights.

That definition suggests that A)the term is only applied to feminists who focus on abortion B)the term is only applied to genuine extremists and C)only extremists believe the option of abortion is essential to the political, social, and economic advancement of women. All these assumptions are indicative of editorial bias.

[Katherine Brengle]

29. Good point - subjective v. objective definitions.

[Kixel]

27. I thought it was just

Women that the right wing didn't like? Or maybe just women who are smarter than Rush? Both of those probably apply?

[KneelBeforeZod]

28. I'm a fairly regular Rush listener ....

I know, I know - I shouldn't listen ... but he makes me laugh (in a condescending, "what is this guy talking about?!", sort of way) and keeps me abreast of what the right is thinking.

Anyway - this isn't even a correct definition according to Limbaugh. He regularly states that "feminazi" is not a synonym with the word "feminist", and that there are actually only a dozen or so true "feminazis" in the country.

His definition - I think - has everything to do with abortion, but little to do with the "choice" aspect of it. I believe the actual definition - offensive or not - would be edited to remove the "option of" portion ...

"an extreme feminist who believes abortion is essential to the political, social, and economic advancement of women"

His definition of feminazi would be one that advocates abortion, as opposed to "abortion rights", as the sole means for the end of women's oppression.

Take it for what its worth - but I think they've misquoted Rush.

Z