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 Wed Jun 04, 2008 17:49 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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My first impression of this expression was that women are more beautiful than men. Then my teacher added the "gentler sex" meaning to it. After that, I read in a novel suggesting that the fairer sex aren't capable of carrying an intelligent conversation.
I think the dialogue was along this line "After all, we are the 'fairer sex', aren't we?", and the woman and her companion excused themselves to let the 'gentlemen' have their intelligent conversation.
I thought hard on it because I didn't get why the word 'fairer' is associated with inaptitude. Then I concluded that it was a way of men that time (the novel was based in 19th century) camouflaged women's weakness with the only thing they thought was worthy of women,when they try to be subtle about it.
All in all, I think it depends on the speaker. And I think most people think it in a good way. |
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NinaZara
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| Wed Jun 04, 2008 18:37 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| Quote: | | And I think most people think it in a good way. |
What's good about it? |
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Molly
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| Thu Jun 05, 2008 15:50 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| I'm afraid I don't quite follow you, Molly. Good about what? Being the fairer sex, or assuming 'fairer sex' has only good meanings? |
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NinaZara
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| Thu Jun 05, 2008 17:53 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| NinaZara wrote: | | I'm afraid I don't quite follow you, Molly. Good about what? Being the fairer sex, or assuming 'fairer sex' has only good meanings? |
What's good or useful about the expression/s "the fair/fairer sex"? |
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Molly
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| Thu Jun 05, 2008 22:59 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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Same expresion as many others, no big deal, history of our world have granted same rights to women just recently and according to many it isn't completed in full, and according to many would not be completed in full.
No way to cover we have two sexes here on Earth. Good to be different.
Molly
Why I have the impression that you are Spanish woman from Barcelona just in your thirties?
Jan |
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Jan
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| Thu Jun 05, 2008 23:00 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| Quote: | | Why I have the impression that you are Spanish woman from Barcelona just in your thirties |
?
Why Barcelona?  |
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Molly
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| Thu Jun 05, 2008 23:17 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| Quote: | | Same expresion as many others, no big deal, history of our world have granted same rights to women just recently and according to many it isn't completed in full, and according to many would not be completed in full. |
Interesting that in the 20s, many deputies in the Costa Rican parliament went against plans to give women voting rights. The argument from those deputies was that extending voting rights to women would debase the "fairer sex". |
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Molly
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| Sat Jun 07, 2008 13:21 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| Molly wrote: | | NinaZara wrote: | | I'm afraid I don't quite follow you, Molly. Good about what? Being the fairer sex, or assuming 'fairer sex' has only good meanings? |
What's good or useful about the expression/s "the fair/fairer sex"? |
It adds spice to life?
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NinaZara
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| Sat Jun 07, 2008 13:29 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| NinaZara wrote: | | Molly wrote: | | NinaZara wrote: | | I'm afraid I don't quite follow you, Molly. Good about what? Being the fairer sex, or assuming 'fairer sex' has only good meanings? |
What's good or useful about the expression/s "the fair/fairer sex"? |
It adds spice to life? |
Yes, because it's charming!
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Ralf
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| Sat Jun 07, 2008 13:31 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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"fairer sex" and "better half", eh? Alas, never fits us "uglier sex" and worse half". 
BTW, "wa" would possibly be better in "nikoniko yasashii Mama ha mo~tto suki!", IMHO. But it's subtle and someone may not agree with me. |
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Haihao
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| Sat Jun 07, 2008 13:45 pm Why are women called fairer sex? |
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| Haihao wrote: | | BTW, "wa" would possibly be better in "nikoniko yasashii Mama ha mo~tto suki!", IMHO. But it's subtle and someone may not agree with me. |
I was thinking to spell it "wa" but at the back of mind I was too stubborn to let go of the spelling in hiragana. I know most usually put "wa" instead of "ha". Just a personal preference.
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NinaZara
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