Why is calling someone fat offensive?

Question

Ok so a lot of fat girls are like

"I love the way I look"

"I'm a real woman"

"More cushin for the pushin"

"Men want real women not girls who look like 12 year old boys"

And that's cool I guess But if they so proud of their body state (Fat-The condition of weighing more than the medically prescribed average for a specific height and age range. )

Then why do they get offended if they are called fat. And why is fat an offensive word anyways. Like if they were proud of being fat they would be like yeah I'm fat and proud I look great. Or be like you think I'm fat tnx. And why do they call themselves curvy I don't get it I mean curvy is a totally different body state!

FAT: link

CURVY: link

SKINNY: link

ANOREXIC: link

Oh and pool question do you think the word fat is offensive

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

What I don't like about it is that they talk about being called fat is offensive, but they have no problem being rude about skinnier girls. I have never made fun of someone for being fat, and I never will. I have an ugly face, so I feel insecure all the time so I don't want to make someone else feel insecure either. One of the women I work with is extremely overweight, and she is constantly bugging me about my weight. I am thin, I'd say I am between the curvy and skinny picture. I am definitely bigger than the skinny girl, but I'm smaller than Kim. Anyway, she keeps telling me to eat a hamburger (I actually eat a lot, I am probably more of an unhealthy eater than her considering she eats salads at lunches and I normally have pasta), and that "real women have curves" and men love women with meat on their bones, and that I am nothing but a skinny bitch. She is extremely rude to me, and comments almost every single day about it. She tells me that she probably gets laid more because she has meat and she is hot and I am an anorexic ugly bitch.

And being called anorexic bugs me since I am no where near that. I eat a lot, but I also exercise a lot. I am very active and go for hikes. I just got back from hiking not too long ago, and I am going tomorrow. And I might go to Cuba next year for a fundraising hike... and she knows that. I don't know why she hates on me so much for it when I have been nothing but nice to her. I did her a huge favour not that long ago, and she thanked me a few days later by insulting my weight again.

If someone feels secure by being proud, than good for them. I wish I could say the same because I am very insecure. I just wish they wouldn't body shame other people. And I feel that some of them don't know the difference between curvy and overweight. You have the right definition. The woman I work with says she is curvy even though she is bigger than the one you posted in the fat picture.

Someone told me that my co-worker is actually insecure about her weight, which is why she bugs me but I don't believe that. I am insecure about how ugly I am, but I don't make fun of people.

IHateMeganFox · Accepted Answer

Fat is a derogatory term to describe someone who is overweight/obese. Just like racism. You can call someone Asian but it is disrespectful to call them a chink. Of course racism is more severe but it sort of the same concept. I have been called fat my whole life, and I have always felt like I was being looked down upon for my weight. If they called me plus size, bigger etc. I wouldn't feel like I was being insulted. Being overweight/obese has always been looked down upon, and the word "fat" was used as a derogatory term to degrade and insult that person for their weight. I do not agree with it and would much prefer to use other adjectives other than that.

So yes, the word fat is offensive to me.

This is "fat" - link

This is a "bigger" women - link That you would call "fat"

This is curvy - link

This is average weight/"normal" - link

This is "skinny" - link

This is "anorexic skinny" - link

Bigger women who are proud of their bodies should NOT be degrading thin women for their bodies. Every body is great. Obesity and anorexia are two things that should be helped because they are not healthy. Women who are big call themselves plus size or big, usually not fat because fat is rude in my opinion.

Disclaimer: This is all my own opinion. If you want to be butthurt over this post for any reason then suck it.

GoodVibesAlissa · Accepted Answer

Overall, I think we has human beings are always insecure about our bodies, and the way we look. And since the word "fat" isn't a very positive word, it brings us down when one calls us "fat". It's not really the word that's offensive, it's just most people have experienced negative connotations and and insults attached with it.

It's just completely unnecessary to call someone fat because what benefit does one get when calling someone else fat in front of others? It's obvious they are pointing out flaws just for the sake of upsetting them.

Being "fat" is considered to be a completely negative thing in our culture ...so that word has basically become a synonym for "unattractive".

And it's because "curvy" is less offensive and can be compared to the body type of celebrities like kim kardashian, jennifer lopez, and beyonce who are celebrities that are considered to have "curves" in the right places.

In my opinion though, MIND YOUR OWN BODY. Chances are if someone is overweight, they already know it and don't need you to point it out. If people want to call themselves "curvy" and it makes them feel better about their bodies and the way they look then LET THEM. Even if you might not agree with it. It's their body not yours.

ketfoen · Accepted Answer

hhmm, So does saying someone they are overweight less offensive than calling them fat?

I dunno, I think whenever you nowadays bring peoples weight into a conversation or even acknowledge that their weight is a problem they will be offended or even if you say it in a polite and calming voice.

Today I was watching the news and they brought up the airline controversy about charging overweight people for an extra seat and what constitutes as having a too large of a bum for their seats and using more of the planes fuel because you weigh extra.

It does differ from airline to airline however and how they handle this situation, because they want to stay respectful to their flyers, but how they even try to turn it and fit it, it always comes down to the same thing, buddy you are overweight.

This interview was from today on the BBC, I think they should still have it on their website if you want to view it, it's very interesting.

martyfellow · Accepted Answer

I guess since they're in the majority they think they can bully people into not telling the truth about the way they look. But they're just  plain fat, they're not real women, and they're not curvy.

confugirl · Answer

I don't understand how you expect us to answer the poll. It wasn't a yes or no question.

Anyway, fat is perceived as an offensive word by so many, because it's often used as an insult. In school, bullies use "fat" not as a description of their body, but as something negative to be shunned and disgusted by. So of course many of us develop that association with the word. I suggest you use "overweight" in the future, because that doesn't have that incorrect association.

Why overweight women call themselves curvy, I don't understand. When I was fat, I knew I was fat and wouldn't pretend to be anything different, but I guess these women use it to make themselves feel better. If they have a negative association with the word "fat", then they might feel better calling themselves curvy, which they are not. Also, it spreads this mindset that they are not overweight and don't need to lose a few pounds. "Oh, I don't have to lose weight. I'm not fat, I'm curvy. Therefore I'm not being unhealthy and it's not like I could lose a few pounds. You should accept me the way I am, because I'm curvy."

OpenClose · Answer

Your version of skinny is anorexic. But I agreed with all the others. lol.

link

That's also what I hear as looking like a "12 year old boy". Bull.

Fat and curvy were not normal in any point in history until the last 50 years or so.

And it's annoying when people can take being told what they are. I can understand when it's in a derogatory tone. I used to be called skinny in such a tone. But hey, you can *never* insult someone by calling them skinny, right?

Fat means you have an abundance of fatty acids. So unless we plan on changing the scientific name for a carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic tail, it means what it means. Why not try to reclaim the word fat, instead of punishing everyone else for a word you find offensive.

Ever see the fat guy with the shirt that says "I'm fat, let's party!". That's doing it right.

Anonymous · Answer

I think the fat girl in that pic is still pretty.

When I hear the word "fat", even though she's overweight that's not the word I'd use to describe her. The word fat has a connotation of gross, nasty looking, ugly so that's why people get offended. Gabourey Sidibe is fat. Beth Ditto is fat. Plus we all know that being overweight isn't the ideal body type, but if you are still pretty even when you're fat then you must be truly beautiful.

The girl in the skinny picture looks anorexic to me. Her body makes her look like she's either battling an illness or on drugs. A normal looking skinny to me is Selena Gomez

sketchy · Answer

It's the intent to cause hurt that makes it offensive - you could have chosen a word such as "overweight" (or just said nothing at all), but you chose the word you thought would be most hurtful.

You could find hundreds of similar examples...

I'm sure most black people aren't ashamed of being black, but they're still not going to take kindly to being called "nig ger".

I'm sure Pakistanis aren't ashamed of their nationality either, but again, they're not going to like being called "Paki".

Jonny_ · Answer

The word itself isn't supposed to be offensive, it's generally the context it's used in... Often it'll be used by a person who you may like or have respect for and them using it as a put down can be upsetting I guess. Oh and I actually think picture of the skinny girl doesn't truly show a skinny girl, I'd say she's closer to anorexic. Although I should say that 'fat' people can have anorexia as well...

ColdFeet · Answer

If they're saying all those things and then get offended when someone used the word fat then they are clearly just justifying their failings. Normal thing for humans to do really, we're all just trying to accept ourselves. That's all fine so long as they are not criticizing thinner people to make themselves feel better. The use of curvy and quick calls on anorexia are rude and should not be used in this way. Your skinny pick might be a lesser anorexic than the anorexic pic though. I'd classify skinny more as       but in no way is skinny a bad thing.

skinandbones · Answer

it's just a dumb thing to comment on. would you tell someone 'oooh, you have a curvy body' ? no. so why would you tell a fat person that he or she is fat. chances are, they already know. they don't need you to point it out for them.

Anonymous · Answer

Because being fat isn't good.

Oh, and I'd say what you called skinny is anorexic. Just my opinion. And that picture for anorexic--ugh. She should be institutionalized ASAP.

Fat similar to "too skinny" or "balding" or "chain smoking and at high risk for throat cancer/reeks to god of smoke" or "warts."

Not only is fat unattractive (which, about 95% of what men call attractive directly relates to fertility. Makes sense, since sex is about reproducing, really, not fun), not only can it make it harder for a person to walk, wipe their own rears, use stairs, hard to have sex, dramatically increase your risk of diabetes, wreaking your knees, and make your chances of getting cancer/heart disease/stroke skyrocket.

Eat less, exercise more, American girls. Same thing, American guys, except add "pumping iron" to that. Save on gasoline, fabric, healthcare costs, and avoid a pathetic sense that you are a fat loser.

Oh, and gluttony is a sin in the Bible.

Anonymous · Answer

Fat technically isn't an offensive word. A lot of people aren't offended by that word alone, it's either the way someone says it or the words surrounding the word fat.

Not to mention, why call someone fat? You don't randomly call people curvy or skinny, haha! It's all just unnecessary.

And whether people admit it or not, the word itself is NEVER used in a positive way, so why would anyone like to be called a negative word? Haha!

Yarah0 · Answer

because they already know it, they know its unhealthy, but they find it hard to change so they say that about them selves ( what you mentioned up there ) and ofcourse they won't go around telling people that and have people be mean to them or what ever, instead they'll say they like their bodies ( maybe they really do idk) however they don't need people to tell them that, we all have some things we don't like about our selves even the curvy women it doesn't mean we should go around pointing it out you know.

ilovenastygals · Answer

it is kinda negative word which makes it offensive...some words are their to create a negative impact...a thief if called a theif would also get mad at u...so its the same for fat...

MeAndAHalf · Answer

Because no one ever calls anyone fat in a nice way.  It's just kind of a mean thing to say, Its usally said to define a flaw.  And the girl you put as skinny should be under anorexic.  People with body types like  Emma Watson and keira knightley are what I would call skinny.  If there are protruding hip bones or I can count with accuracy ribs or vertebra there's a problem.

Anonymous · Answer

No one could possibly be truly happy being fat. Even if they have a chubby chaser person who is head of head over heels them and they get paid a crapload of money just for being fat. That is why its offensive because I'm sure there are extremely few people who are actually proud of being fat. But hey that's a good thing because being fat is unhealthy or even deadly in many cases. Its not nice to pick on someone's flaws. Out of all the qualities that a person has why would you call them fat if your intent isn't to hurt them.

Oh and anorexic is an eating disorder not a size or weight.

Anonymous · Answer

It's the way people use it, I mean no one would want to be called fat. I'm sure if some one said to a skinny girl "your getting bigger, your gaining weight" they would go into panic mode. So in the end I'm sure any one no matter size would find that offensive. I've also know people you hate being called skinny, my friend who is skinny hates it, she doesn't like showing her arms or legs even though she's beautiful . So that goes to show that not everyone is comfortable they are, some "fat" love their body, some "skinny" people hate their body.

Funnycoolnerdy · Answer

Yes, the only girl attractive is the "curvy" one. All the others are the opposite end of what is attractive. I don't want a girl who is a twig and looks unhealthy, same as I don't want a girl who is a blimp, lol Fat is just as offensive as saying and being too skinny.

lv4lv · Answer

Your "Curvy" is "average". Your "Skinny" is "Anorexic" Your "Anorexic" is "Sickly Anorexic" Your "Fat" however is still "fat". This is "Curvy":   Each of them are labels. Not much more.

Prof_Don · Answer

Most people use that word to be more offensive than helpful.

I highly doubt a person calling a stranger fat, called that person fat because he/she cares about that person's health.

Do you genuinely care about a person's health that you call fat?

TheGodEmperorLeto · Answer

It's only ever offensive depending on the context/tone you use it in. Same with ANY word. People need to stop equating the word itself to offensive or not and realize the tone over all is the point.

Anonymous · Answer

They are insecure about it. They want to approve of their obesity in their own mind and they're convinced it's okay. When they get any sort of disagreement from someone externally they can't handle it. There's nothing wrong with calling someone fat, it's not like there's some history behind it like "the N word"...they can easily choose to lose weight and in the slim slim slim chance that it's some medical condition, they should be able to explain it that way instead of putting on a front.

Hamburgers · Answer

Why is saying you have a big forehead offensive? Why is saying your eyes are really far apart offensive? With empathy, you don't say things like that.

Why is calling someone fat offensive?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Why is calling someone fat offensive?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.