They're Just Words

I read an excellent post somewhere about how people bring dictionary definitions into a debate as if it made their argument sound, or greater. (I don't know who posted it, let me know if you do so I can link to it. UPDATE!! I found it...Angry Black Woman). It made me think--as carefully as I select my words and craft my written pieces, the dictionary is still a human creation subject to agendas and certain world views (like Wikipedia, but better!)

Let me play with some words, citing Dictionary.com's Random House Unabridged version:

Misandry--hatred of males.

Misogyny--hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women


So all you have to do is hate men, and you're a misandrist. But you can either hate, dislike, OR mistrust women, and be considered a misogynist. What does this really mean?


Going further:

Hatred--the feeling of one who hates; intense dislike or extreme aversion or hostility

aversion--a strong feeling of dislike, opposition, repugnance, or antipathy

hostility--a hostile state, condition, or attitude; enmity; antagonism; unfriendliness

hostile--1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an enemy: a hostile nation.
2. opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic: hostile criticism.
3. characterized by antagonism.
4. not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable.

Dislike--a feeling of aversion; antipathy

antipathy--1. a natural, basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion.
2. an instinctive contrariety or opposition in feeling.

Mistrust--lack of trust or confidence; distrust.

distrust--lack of trust; doubt; suspicion

confidence--full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing


In summary, any individual that fails to subscribe to

Feminism--1. the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
2. an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.

is a misandrist...LOL.



"Feminism is hated because women are hated. Anti-feminism is a direct expression of misogyny; it is the political defense of women hating"--Andrea Dworkin