Pejorative Words – Easy English by Vesna

Sissy & Soy boy

Sissy A boy or a man who does things usually attributed to girls or who seems weak and not brave. Sissy – a pejorative term for a boy or man who is not masculine in accordance to traditional standards. Sissy usually describes a male who is unmanly, lacking physical strength, testosterone, bravery, etc. Derived fromContinue reading “Sissy & Soy boy”

Cannon fodder

Cannon fodder “In war, the state gives cannons, the rich give oxen, and the poor give their sons. When the war is over, the state takes its cannons, the rich get new oxen, and the poor look for graves…” – A Serbian saying Soldiers whose lives are considered unimportant during war. A person or groupContinue reading “Cannon fodder”

Useful Idiot

Useful idiot A person, especially in a public position, who is easily persuaded and manipulated by other people for their own purposes and goals. In political jargon, a useful idiot is a derogatory term for a person seen as a tool of propaganda for a cause without a full comprehension of the cause and itsContinue reading “Useful Idiot”

Balkanisation

Balkanisation/Balkanization (noun) – the process of dividing a country or a larger region into smaller areas where people all dislike or fight each other. Balkanise/Balkanize (verb) – to divide a region/territory into smaller hostile areas. Balkanisation – a geopolitical pejorative term with such a sinister meaning. It was coined in the early 19th century, accordingContinue reading “Balkanisation”

Battle-axe

From a weapon to an aggressive woman… Battle-axe (woman) – an unpleasant and frightening woman with a strong opinion. Battle-axe – a term, generally considered pejorative, describes an aggressive, bossy woman with determined attitude. I could not find an exact etymology of the term but the temperance activist Carrie Nation, known for attacking alcohol-serving establishmentsContinue reading “Battle-axe”

Virago

Justice for a virago… 😊 from a heroic woman warrior to an aggressive and bossy one… Virago – a violent, unpleasant woman who gets annoyed or angry easily. Virago – a pejorative word which describes a woman who is loud, bad-tempered, getting angry easily or telling other people what to do. The word comes fromContinue reading “Virago”