“Karen” is an entitled white woman who throws a tantrum at Starbucks, demands to speak to the manager, and breaks down in tears when she doesn’t get her way.
The term was first popularized on Black Twitter in 2010 and has since spread throughout all corners of the internet.
In 2020, this trend became even more widespread as people refused to wear masks or socially disengage in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, some white people called the police on black people for asking for assistance.
In the early 1990s
Karen is a commonly-used slang term to refer to a white woman who often embodies entitlement and negative stereotypes. It’s used to describe someone who prioritizes the essentials in life – like what food they eat or whether they go see their doctor – without much concern for what else goes on around them.
Karen is often associated with white women who believe their privilege is enough to shield them from criticism. This attitude can be seen as a testament to Karen’s incapacity to recognize how her actions negatively affect both herself and other people by not engaging with pressing issues.
Feminist groups have voiced opposition to stereotyping Karens, contending that it perpetuates white supremacy and diminishes the significance of race in society. Yet Karen has been used by people of various races and ethnicities too, suggesting that its use may not be entirely negative.
One of the earliest appearances of Karen Hill was in 1990’s Goodfellas, when she marries an amateur Mafia member against her parents’ wishes. The film portrays her as a deranged, irrational individual who points a gun at her husband during one scene where she harasses his mistress.
The term “Karen” has become increasingly common online, especially in internet spaces. It was used as an insulting term against an alleged ex-wife who was perceived as racist in a Reddit rant and by actors on Saturday Night Live to disparage potato salad.
Karen has been accused of using slang that is far too often with extreme prejudice, denigrating women who speak out against systemic racism and discrimination. While these descriptions are not the only examples, it should be noted that such language is prevalent and frequently employed with an intent to incite violence against others.
Another example of slang is “bob,” which in England means “one pound.” This expression originated in the 1940s and has become a common slang expression for dollars. It was popular among Baby Boomers during the early 2000s, and has become more widespread as people from Generation Z and millennials look for ways to express their opinions and perspectives.
Money talks has also been used as a metaphor for the amount of money someone can make in their profession, such as being an attorney or accountant. It’s been said to be one common way for young people to make money when they graduate college or begin working towards their dream career.
This slang term is also used to denigrate someone with great luck or fortune, such as someone who wins a major lottery or receives an impressive paycheck at work. It’s sometimes used to mock those with money issues and may seem confusing to those unfamiliar with its usage.
As late as 2018
Karens have become well-known for their popularized slang terms such as “Karen,” and alliterative nicknames like “Permit Patty” or “Cornerstore Caroline.” However, these names have been around since 2018; often times people will use an alliterative nickname that corresponds to an incident before it becomes widely popularized. Not only are these terms popular, but they provide people a way of conveying their point without having to write out full names and titles.
Karen can be used as either a form of sexual discrimination or an aggressive and derogatory attack against women, depending on the context. In this instance, Karen might be perceived as overly sensitive or entitled to her own comfort or rights when in reality it is neither.
One common example is the use of “Karen” as a derogatory term against Black women or men, often in an offensive and condescending tone that implies misogyny. This misuse of the term is particularly offensive and repugnant, reflecting centuries of race-based discrimination within our society.
This slur has also been used as a form of derogatory abuse against people with disabilities and gay and lesbian individuals, though it’s more subtle and less publicized.
As early as 2018, alliterative names were being used to label those who had an issue with another individual or were acting in a potentially hazardous way. This could include someone suffering from an undiagnosed mental health condition, or simply someone acting inappropriately.
Alliterative names could also be an attempt to make a joke about someone with problematic behavior, according to Know Your Meme. For instance, the phrase “speak to the manager” is one such form of slang that illustrates this idea.
Other alliterative terms used for people who act with aggression include “yeet” and the phrase “over the top.” Both phrases convey excessive excitement or forcefulness. In slang, yeet is most often employed when someone throws something with great force.
Yeet can also be used as an expression of surprise or delight, such as when someone discovers they’re going to the movies or a concert. It could also be employed in a self-deprecatory way when someone is excited about something.
In other cases, yeet may be used in a more serious context – such as when someone throws up or sneezes. This can be perceived as an offensive and derogatory term against those with undiagnosed mental illness.
Dr. I.M. Nick, former president of the American Name Society, noted that people have been increasingly using alliterative names as a way of shortening and abbreviating their names. Additionally, this trend might be an extension of social media shorthand or even be an indication of an increase in sexual-related incidents on the web, she noted.
In 2020
Karen is a derogatory term commonly used to refer to offensive, often racist middle-aged white women. This stereotype first emerged in the late 2010s and has since gained widespread adoption on social media platforms.
Karen” refers to a middle-aged white woman with blonde bob hairstyle and the asymmetrical phrase, “let me speak to the manager.” This nickname serves as an oversimplification of this particular type of woman; usually classist and obnoxious but occasionally racist as well.
They could be mothers of two or more, or they might be raising children alone. They may be busybodies or whiners, but usually someone who lives in a constant state of anger. Unfortunately, these individuals often call the police on people of color for doing mundane things like mowing the lawn or selling water in public places.
Recent videos of angry “Karens” calling police on people of color have become so widespread that they’ve sparked debates about systemic racism and sexism. Their racist actions have been called out through social media posts, with the hashtag #KarensWillCallPolice even being linked to George Floyd’s death last year by police in Minneapolis.
No matter the cause of these incidents, “Karen” has become one of America’s most overused slang terms. This trend has only worsened over time as more and more people have access to technology like smartphones and social media platforms.
The word “Karen” is based on the popular 1960s baby name Karen. According to The New York Times, it’s an affectionate slang expression that describes an entitled white middle-aged woman with an attitude.
Stereotypical images of soccer moms tend to conjure up images in our minds. A soccer mom is typically described as a middle-aged, white woman with children who is usually very active. She may sport a pixie cut and blonde streaks in her hair for added effect.
Soccer moms don’t always have to be so loud, and they may show more respect for their neighbors’ property than some of these more assertive “Karens.” Additionally, soccer moms tend to be more accepting of other people’s political opinions and social standing than some of these overzealous “Karens.”
These viral videos often feature many “Karens,” doing what they want to someone else — like “Pool Patrol Paula” who called police when a man’s dog humped his park bench or the “Dog Park Debbie,” who called cops on a Black woman walking her dogs at a local dog park.
Some critics of the language have argued that these “Karen” videos are sexist because they objectify women of color. On the other hand, others maintain that such stereotypes stem from an ignorance about how society functions. Indeed, some of those involved may actually have legitimate grievances with their neighbors and could benefit from seeing a doctor for their rage and stress issues.
