Karen is a derogatory term used as slang to refer to any white woman seen as entitled or demanding beyond what is expected. It often appears in memes depicting powerful white women using their privilege to get what they want.
This year, several viral videos featuring Karens have made headlines. One such incident involved the San Francisco Karen who called the police on her neighbor for stenciling “Black Lives Matter” on his property.
Origin
Karen is a colloquial term used to denote an older white woman. It often connotes entitlement and demands; furthermore, Karen could also be seen as racist, anti-vaccination and supportive of microaggressions.
The term was first coined in 2014 on Reddit, marking the beginning of its popularity on the internet. Since then, it has spread throughout various websites and even made an appearance at British supermarkets.
It is believed to have originated in a skit by Dane Cook in 2005, in which the character of ‘Karen’ was portrayed as someone no one liked. Unfortunately, over time this term has come to be associated with an overly entitled and demanding middle-aged white woman.
Karen-like behavior has led to a series of memes that call out Karen-esque traits, such as asking the manager for help with minor inconveniences or acting racistally. These types of actions have been condemned on social media by those with power and privilege who use it for their own gain.
Cleve Evans, a professor at Bellevue University in Nebraska, believes the term “Karen” is not necessarily an offensive or discriminatory name. He noted that names can often be used as slurs – including racial slurs – and many modern-day slang terms have their origins in common phrases.
Another example is the phrase ‘Bye, Felicia’, taken from a line from the 1995 movie Friday and now often used by online trolls to dismiss or turn away people.
Recently, these terms have come under increasing scrutiny and not just by white people. Reports indicate that many middle-aged black women have become embroiled in stereotypes similar to ‘Karen’ and now fear posting online on certain websites.
Meaning
Karen is a colloquial term for an upper class white woman who acts entitled and rude, often expecting special treatment that she doesn’t deserve. She often exhibits narrow-minded thinking and will have fitful temper tantrums when faced with minor inconveniences in public.
The origins of the slang term “Karen” can be traced back to 19th century America, during a time of discrimination and segregation. Other names like Miss Ann or Mister Charlie also circulated during this era, signifying white owners of slaves or arrogant white people with feelings of superiority toward African-Americans.
In the 21st century, “slang name” has become increasingly associated with both the coonavirus pandemic and movements for racial justice. As a result, this slang term has gained even more acceptance, particularly among Baby Boomers who tend to be closed-minded and behind-the-times.
These women often act with aggression and petty reasoning, blocking people from open car spaces so their friends can park there or engaging retail employees over refund policies. These women crave control, attention and the chance to feel superior.
Slang can be an invaluable communication tool, allowing people to express their emotions without writing them down or using formal language. But using slang terms without understanding their origins may lead to misinterpretation and lead to miscommunication.
David Sherwood, a slang researcher, notes that slang can come from multiple sources. It may be part of everyday conversation or be the product of social media shortenings and abbreviations.
Sherwood notes the term “Karen” has become so common on Twitter that it has been accused of being misogynistic and based on class prejudice. It’s an online slang term used to attack Baby Boomers and millennials alike for their narrow-minded views regarding gender roles, sexuality, as well as unprogressive political opinions.
The term has spread throughout the internet, with several websites dedicated to spreading its hateful meme. One such site, r/F—YouKaren, was created by a 17-year-old from California and features memes from an now-deleted user account called Fuck_You_Karen.
Etymology
Karen is an unflattering nickname given to a middle-aged white woman who feels entitled and complains constantly. She also expects special treatment and easily becomes enraged.
Recently, the term Karen has become increasingly commonplace as an insult directed at women who act aggressively petty and obnoxious in public places. Not only can you come across one of these annoying characters in person, but you’re likely to come across them on social media platforms too.
The origin of the name Karens remains uncertain, though some speculate it began on Reddit in 2017. A user posted a complaint about his ex-wife and what she was doing that bothered him; this post went viral and spawned a subreddit called r/f***youkaren where people could share stories about encounters with Karens.
Urban Dictionary defines Karen as a self-absorbed white woman who seeks to fulfill her needs by taking advantage of others. She may appear angry, dramatic and demanding; additionally, Karen may possess sexist, ageist or racist tendencies.
Karens have often demonstrated petty and obnoxious behavior online, such as blocking an open car space so she can park there or calling the police on Black people who were birdwatching in Central Park. One of the most infamous cases involves “Central Park Karen,” a White woman who called police on Black birder Christian Cooper after they got into an argument on Ramble Trail of Central Park.
An example of Karen’s poor behavior was when a woman attempted to demand a refund from Burger King employees during the restaurant fire. Although they attempted to persuade her that it would be best if she left, the woman was determined not to go.
As a result, Karens have become the target of increasingly offensive slurs. One woman wrote to the Los Angeles Times recounting her encounter with this term as one of “grief-stricken” and an “almost uncontrollable rage,” adding that she could not walk past stores without being stopped by customers laughing at her sexy mannerisms.
Usage
Karen as a Slang Term
Karen has become widely used as an insulting term to refer to middle-aged white women perceived as entitled or demanding beyond what is expected. This usage stems from viral videos with memes depicting angry, entitled, selfish and (often) racist white women who use their apparent privilege for personal gain or control over others’ behaviors.
Recent years, this slang has gained in popularity with examples like Karen being referred to as a “Central Park Karen,” who falsely reported Black people birding to police, or refusing to wear face masks during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in America. But some are calling for its banning, contending it’s unfair to demonize people simply due to their name or gender or race.
According to Know Your Meme, Karen slang is a commentary on white women’s entitlement and inconsideration for others. Some Karens have been accused of bullying retail or restaurant employees, having narrow-minded perspectives, and throwing public tantrums over minor inconveniences.
One example is Burger King Karen who demanded a refund while staff were trying to escape from a fire. The owner later stated that had she not been so rude and threatening, he would have given her the refund.
Many find the term offensive, particularly due to its racist roots and sexism. On the other hand, it can also serve as a vehicle for drawing attention to racial issues and connecting with younger generations.
Karen has become a derogatory term that has gained acceptance over the last couple of years as an insult against white women who are perceived to be acting entitled or demanding beyond what society accepts. This usage is meant to reflect our society’s growing rift and bring awareness of racial issues among young people.
The slang has seen a meteoric rise in popularity on social media, often being credited as the inspiration behind the #MeToo movement. Some even go so far to argue that using it is an act of abuse.
