Gender Differences and Sexism in the Knowledge and Use of Slang

Abstract

Gender differences and sexism in the knowledge and use of slang were investigated. Thirty male and thirty female undergraduates (mostly Caucasian and middle-class) reported all the slang terms they knew to describe either “woman” or “man,” how many terms they used, and how frequently they used them. The terms were categorized as sexual or non-sexual Males listed more terms than females, but no gender differences were found in the listing of sexual slang or the use of slang. More sexual slang was listed to describe women than men, and participants reported using fewer of the terms describing women. Results suggest that although gender differences in the knowledge and use of slang may be narrowing, it remains the case that more sexual and derogatory slang exists to describe women.