Bimbo

[cyclonefence]

Over in the Megyn Kelly thread is a sidebar discussion about the origin of the word "bimbo." Several posters pointed out that it is an Italian term for (male) baby, and I want to use this hook to talk about a magnificent resource, The Historical Dictionary of American Slang, edited by J.E. Lightner. Published by Random House beginning in 1994, only the first two volumes actually appeared because of poor sales. This book is to American slang what the OED is to the English language, and it is invaluable.

According to the HDAS, "bimbo" first appeared in the US in print in 1918, in Rossano "Price of Honor": She flop! An' il bimbo he break da boni.

It is clearly referring here to a male, "il."

In 1920, however, in Zeidman "Burlesque": This Dix bimbo is a dangerous woman ... a sassy girl with ... more than a figure--a physique.

I think it's easy to see how the word for baby would move easily into "Hey, baby" territory, regardless of the infant's original sex. But isn't it cool that within a year the word had gained its current meaning?

[athena]

1. It's not cool.

It's a sign of society's disgusting sexism.

You'll probably find the following interesting:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/27/eight-words-sexism-heart-english-language

Excerpt:

"When it comes to women, the message is a depressing one. The denigration of half of the population has embedded itself in the language in ways you may not even be aware of. Often this takes the form of 'pejoration': when the meaning of the word 'gets worse' over time. Linguists have long observed that words referring to women undergo this process more often than those referring to men. Here are eight examples:"

[cyclonefence]

2. It figures

that many men think referring to a woman as an infant should be taken as a compliment. Thanks for the link; it is interesting to me that all the words cited have been perverted from powerful nouns to terms of sexual contempt. But this list could go on for hundreds of words imo.

What is more distressing is the willingness of some of our sisters to embrace these descriptors. One woman allowing herself to be referred to as a "girl" hurts all of us.

[WinkyDink]

6. Wait until you're referred to as a "guy": "Hi! How are you guys doing today?!" I'll take "girl" at

my age (67)!

[cwydro]

4. Thanks for the link.

Interesting reading.

[Iggo]

3. It's the socially acceptable form of bitch/whore/slut. I don't use it or encourage its use.

And I think less of people who do use it.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. I'm On Board With That, Iggo

Twit or idiot work just fine and are gender neutral. As in Paul Ryan is a twit and every member of the freedom caucus is an idiot.