who's she, the cats mother? part2

[darth vader]

why do women feel insulted when being referred to in this way?

[Lennon]

Can't answer as I'm not sure why - I don't think its offensive. I dunno if its a generation thing, as my mum (or elders in general) tend to say it more.

[Quizmonster]

Click on http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-cat1.htm for an answer, Darth. Welcome back, by the way!

[Quizmonster]

I clicked the 'Submit' button too soon above! The reason why women felt insulted was that it was felt to be a mark of disrespect in the days when it tended to be used. A man would have been insulted, too, to have been referred to by a child/young person as simply 'he' in his own presence. However, the phrase never seems to have had a variation on masculine lines.

One rarely hears it nowadays because very few people seem to have respect for anyone now, so signs of that respect are just not expected.

[Jaybee]

I've never understood this either! Being a female, I would always rather be called 'she' than 'he'. Now that really would be offensive!

[darth vader]

thanks QM.

i never really went away am just a busy man these days (plus the editor is doing his/her best to make me lose interest) but I get on AB when i can

[Pickle]

I would get offended if somone talked about me in the third person and knew I could hear. It's annoying being treated as if you're not there! I do wonder why only women have come up with a retort though.