No matter where you look – on Twitter or TikTok – the term Karen has become associated with a certain kind of middle-class white woman. Known for their entitlement in public, Karens are frequently blamed for everything from microaggressions to harassing Black people in public spaces.
But where did this term originate and what does it signify to those who adhere to its sexist stereotype?
Origin
The origins of the term Karen are uncertain. One theory suggests it was originally a Danish form of Katherine, meaning “pure,” with connections to Greek Aikaterine meaning “clean.” Another possibility is that it derives from medieval Katharina – also found in French and Scandinavian origins.
Some theories suggest the term originated with the “speak to the manager” haircut meme, which has been around since 2014 and refers to escalated complaints or demands made by retail and restaurant employees to their managers. It’s usually accompanied by a short, angled blonde bob that’s commonly referred to as a “mom haircut.”
Recently, the term Karen has acquired a more sinister connotation as it has become an increasingly popular catchphrase among entitled white women. It is frequently used to denote someone who attempts to police Black people’s behavior – such as calling the cops on an innocent Black man for birdwatching in Central Park or harassing her neighbors for stenciling “Black Lives Matter” on their property.
Some have criticized the term as an expression of privilege, and it’s not uncommon to hear Karens make disparaging remarks about Black people’s lack of education or other minor infractions. On the other hand, some Karens use their power and privilege for good purposes.
For example, the Wall of Moms bloc in Portland’s protest movement against Trump’s administration is composed mainly of middle class white women who are committed to supporting racial justice and equality. But they don’t want to be part of this group because they feel it allows them to exploit the same systemic racism Karens are fighting against.
Many people with the name Karen say they don’t really mind what others call them, but it can still feel personal when someone uses their name as a slur. In some cases, it may even seem like the person making such remarks doesn’t even know who you are!
Meaning
Karen is a derogatory term often used to denote white women with an arrogant attitude. It usually refers to middle-aged women who act out in public because they believe they deserve special consideration or treatment.
Karen’s behavior can range from bullying retail and restaurant employees to having narrow-minded opinions on various subjects and throwing public tantrums over minor inconveniences. In extreme cases, her entitled attitude may even put others in danger.
According to Know Your Meme, the term “Karen” can also be used to indicate a woman who is racist or anti-vaxxer. It could also be seen as derision for someone seen as too snobby or picky to fit in with society’s expectations, respectively.
Karen is one of many slang terms commonly used to identify people with certain behaviors. It joins other names such as “Becky,” “BBQ Becky,” and “Permit Patty,” all representing a certain type of white person who believes they have earned certain privileges.
Other words like “Karl,” “Cornerstore Caroline,” and “Golf Cart Gail” have been used to label people’s behaviors. All these names refer to white people who exploit their privilege in some way or another.
They can either call the police on a black neighbor who is doing something illegal or use their personal power to defend themselves from an attack. Unfortunately, these actions can have detrimental results for those targeted and lead to violence against them, such as when Amy Cooper called the police on a black birder in Central Park because she didn’t like her style of birdwatching.
Other signs of Karen-like behavior, such as wearing a particular bob haircut and being racist, include the infamous ‘San Diego Karen’–a Californian woman who was refused service at Starbucks because she wasn’t wearing a face mask.
The Karen subreddit boasts over 435,000 members, and memes posted there call out all manner of “Karen”-esque behavior. Some of the most popular Karen memes in recent years include:
Variations
Karen is derived from the Old Greek word Aikaterine, meaning “pure.” It’s also a Danish form of Katherine and an alternate transcription of Katherine (English).
Karen was one of the top ten most popular girl’s names during the Baby boom era and reached its peak popularity at #3 in 1965. However, its popularity has since declined precipitously and now ranks among the least popular girl’s names in America.
Karen can be used interchangeably with Becky, Stacy and other common girl’s names. But it is unmistakably that the term Karen has come to be associated with an entitled white woman who acts out and exhibits public tantrums.
This trend began in 2005, when Karen was first featured on a stand-up comedy sketch. Since then it has become an internet meme and not just because it’s racist; it’s also used to stereotype women of color.
Over the years, there have been countless videos of Karens using their privilege to engage in racist behavior. Examples include the “Central Park Karen” who called police on a Black man birdwatching in a public park and the “Costco Karen” who threw a tantrum when asked to wear a face mask.
In 2020, the term Karen gained even greater notoriety when social media users condemned women for engaging in racist behavior. There were videos showing a Karen refusing to wear a face mask at a store and screaming offensive slurs.
These incidents can be highly embarrassing to watch on video, yet they also give people hope that people are taking steps to bring these issues to light.
Another example of the Karen slur is “Becky.” This term has become a social media meme, used to denigrate an upper middle aged white woman who acts out and exhibits extreme prejudice.
Karen are an ethnic group displaced from Burma and Thailand. They speak various languages, such as S’gaw and Western Pwo Karen. It’s essential to note that the Karen are not Burmese and should never be mistaken for such, since their culture is vastly different from that of the Burmese.
Popularity
Karen has become a colloquial term to denote an arrogant white woman who uses her privilege in socially unacceptable ways. It was popularized through stand-up comedy and Reddit.
Karen phenomenon began in 2005 when stand-up comedian Dane Cook performed a sketch about this type of person. In his piece, Karen is described as “that friend nobody likes” and always an annoying douchebag.
After the incident, however, the name’s popularity suffered significantly. In 2020 it dropped 171 spots on the SSA list to 831 — its lowest ranking since 1929.
One of the primary factors leading to Karen decline was a movement that labeled these women as entitled and selfish. According to The Atlantic, Karen demands the world exist according to her standards without regard for others, and will even risk or denigrate others in pursuit of those goals.
These women often use their privilege to take advantage of the service industry, effectively suppressing people’s rights. An example is a White woman who threatened a Black man in Central Park with her firearm.
Another example is when a White woman called the police on a black bird watcher for disagreeing with her dog. These acts of racism are usually connected to systemic white supremacy.
Furthermore, many on Twitter use the term as a hashtag to highlight racist incidents. This could include instances of women calling police on Blacks or even White people committing acts of racism themselves.
Some of these incidents are so shocking that they have spawned an entire subculture on Twitter centered around Karen the Karen theme. We see variations on this theme, such as ‘Karen from Brighton’ who complained about being unable to walk in her expensive suburb during the pandemic and ‘Karen from SoHo’ who called the police on a black musician after accusing him of stealing her phone.
Karen is a key topic in the ongoing conversation on racism and how it manifests in society. Additionally, it plays an integral role in understanding how sexism impacts people of color, particularly at work.
