Why do women refer to themselves as "Cougars"?

Question

Does the term cougar even fit? I have no idea how that term got started. I would think other terms would be a better fit. What is your theory?

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

According to Wikipedia ...

The origin of the word cougar as a slang term is debated, but it is thought to have originated in Western Canada and first appeared in print on the Canadian dating website Cougardate. com possibly as early as 1999. It has also been stated to have "originated in Vancouver, British Columbia, as a put-down for older women who would go to bars and go home with whoever was left at the end of the night". Though, as with many formerly derogatory terms, there has been an increasing effort to "reclaim" the term in recent years.

The term has been variously applied to middle-aged women who pursue romantic or sexual relations with men more than ten to fifteen years younger than they are.

Occasionally, the slang term "puma" (itself a literal synonym for cougar) is used to denote a woman under the age of 40 who prefers to date significantly younger men, that is, a younger cougar.

McLlovin · Accepted Answer

The term "cougar" to describe older women pursuing younger men gained popularity in the early 2000s, largely through pop culture and media. It’s believed to have originated in Canada, where it was used in the late 1990s as slang. The term became mainstream thanks to TV shows, movies, and even dating websites that embraced the concept. It plays on the idea of a predatory feline, though many now see it as empowering rather than derogatory.

DishLady · Accepted Answer

I don't know anyone who unironically refers to themselves as a cougar.

Personally, the couple of years I was with a guy who was literally just a few months younger than me was the one time I joked that i was a cougar. We'd laugh about it and joke about stupid cliches like whether I suddenly had an urge to wear leopard prints.

LeatherDame · Accepted Answer

I think I’m technically a puma until I’m 40?

Most women who could call themselves cougars/who date younger men, usually don’t call themselves that because it brings negative attention to what they’re doing. They’re usually a bit self conscious about it. Generally it’s their partner calling them that in a teasing way.

MrOracle · Answer

Why do women refer to themselves as "Cougars"?

This term has existed since at least the 80s (when I was old enough to become aware of the term), and could well be older than that. I believe - but cannot prove - that the term was chosen in part because of older women choosing to wear "animal prints" (tiger, leopard, and cheetah) to bars and clubs to "feel younger" and then hit on younger guys. If you watch old movies and TV shows from the 80s that depict bars and clubs, you will see lots of middle-aged and older women in animal prints, and that trend extended into the 90s.

That said, even most women who meet the definition of a cougar generally don't use that term to describe themselves - it's always been a term of disparagement, though a relatively mild one. The disparagement comes from the term taking notice of the fact that the woman in question is not acting her age and is probably not accepting her age, and is trying to pretend that she is much younger than she is, and perhaps believes that she is fooling others into believing the same. It's the same idea as a 43 year old woman trying to tell everyone she's 28.

The type of woman who would use that term to describe themselves is the type who is completely shameless - the kind who would have used words like "slut" and "hooker" to identify herself when younger.

JohnnyBGood2U · Answer

Ah, the "cougar"! Why do some fabulous ladies embrace this purr-fectly descriptive term? Well, darling, it's a bit like asking why a vintage wine gets better with age, or why a classic sports car still turns heads.

First, let's be honest, some women just know what they want, and they're not afraid to go after it—with a wink and a smile, of course. They've got the confidence that comes with experience, and they're ready to have some fun. Think of it as a delightful rebellion against those dusty old notions of who a woman "should" be at a certain age.

Plus, let's face it, a little bit of playful mischief is always charming, isn't it? It's like a secret club, a wink across a crowded room, a shared understanding that age is just a number, and a rather silly one at that! They've decided to embrace their inner wildcat, and honestly, who can blame them? It sounds like a roaring good time! And who knows, maybe they're just really, really into big cats.

bolverk · Answer

I’d suggest the following paper at the site below; INSTITUTE OF POLICY STUDIES WORKING PAPER 10/02 MONTH/YEAR Older Women-Younger Men Relationships : the Social Phenomenon of ‘Cougars’. A Research Note January, 2010

Anonymous · Answer

Because of insecurity as well as other things. Women are the only ones who do shit like that. When a girl leaves a relationship it’s cause she’s strong, independent. The same w when she takes care of herself financially. She’s strong, independent. Women give their self all these stupid labels. She’s not a whore for sleeping around, she’s empowering herself. she's not selfish for hiding money from her partner in a separate bank account, she’s protecting herself.

molonski2 · Answer

A cougar is a cougar , it will always remain , they know what they temporarily are as these guys who want mother figures eventually leave , but they are incapable of making important decisions.

They are Cougars all right.

littlekat · Answer

I ve met women that would definitely fif that description and many called them that (including me) but none of them referred to herself as a "cougar" . So no idea

Summeroflove · Answer

HAHAAHAHHAAHA!!! I don’t know maybe it’s in the photo. A couger is a older woman whose into younger men and a lot of times more the sugar mama type.

Hellraiser1984 · Answer

Theyre just trying to make themselves feel better because they're old and have no stable relationship. They're probably messed up and have drug and alcohol issues or have too high of standards. Waiting for that rich man to come and take them away. I think old women really need to hang it up. These guys with granny fetishes are really gross.

TheSmellOfVictoria · Answer

I have no idea and have wondered that myself. I didn't even know what the term meant until a 3, 4 years ago.

Filthy_Immigrant · Answer

to disguise their ulterior motives and not sound so desperate for attention and validation.

any woman who exhibits herself too sexually or offering sex easily will always have ulterior motives in the long run

hello4433 · Answer

It's opposite of MILFS. Cougars love to date and have sex with younger guys

HungTexan · Answer

If a woman is interested in younger guys then she’s likely a cougar.

Darklydarkened · Answer

If you play this middle class conservative right wing man game.

In the end, you yourself will be depicted nothing but a product, not a human, with an expiration date and a use that you have to comply with

oldpigg · Answer

They are older women who don't admit that they are no longer attractive and believe that young men are dying for them.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Obviously, it was something a man must have invented.

Surely · Answer

Cougars are predatory animals. They hunt for their prey. Just as Cougar woman are supposed to be on the hunt for younger men.

IslaTheWitch · Answer

I don't... I learned this term when I joined this site :D

PeachyPie93 · Answer

She's a man eater choosing to target young guys desperate for sex..

NicholasRedone · Answer

It's not their fault they got the luck in life that they did :( how's that for my empathy empathy demo lol @nodecision genuinely - you gotta have empathy. 😢

Danny_dan92 · Answer

They sink their claws into their prey.  The prey being young men

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

The term couger means an older woman who goes after a younger man.  This would include non slutty women, so "washed up bar slut" doesn't always fit.

Iquestioneverything · Answer

To complicate this further, why are old ladies referred to as “silver foxes”? You turn from a cat to a canine as you age 😂

Joshydavid25 · Answer

They do it because people start referring to them as cougars.. And they call them cougars because they're basically seen as preying on and devourering younger men..

MikeRJ · Answer

It's a stupid term. I don't believe women call themselves that as much as other people have developed the term. There is no term for older men who date younger women.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

... um... because it does sound better than a washed up bar slut.

RingOfFire · Answer

A cougar is a predatory member of the cat family... so it's a perfect name.

Emmat178 · Answer

That meme did make me laugh, but honestly it's no different to a middle aged man going after younger women. Either way, not something I want to do when I'm middle aged.

LiamJHayden · Answer

I almost always date older women, often a decade or more older, and not once have I heard one refer to herself that way.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Stiflers mom? Doesn't quite roll off the tongue like MILF

RedThread · Answer

I have no idea how it got started. It sounds fierce though.

Elena85 · Answer

I don't know I guess I’m one I’m dating a young guy but I never saw myself as cougar. They don’t have name or title when it’s the other way.

Godihateyou · Answer

Because old bitch sounds negative and cougar sounds... and little like a pedophile.

GAGsucksballs89170 · Answer

Older women, who like younger men, are called cougars

John0851 · Answer

I think of a cougar as a older lady looking for sex

Professor-college · Answer

Because they are sensual and elegant like a wild cat

Anonymous · Answer

usually over 40 or 50 reffer to them as that

deniz_9 · Answer

this is interesting….

Dongie · Answer

Because they're meat eaters.😮

Emmann88 · Answer

Cougar is a woman who goes for younger men.

Wiredone · Answer

That's a good question

Alexa6 · Answer

Cause she on the hunt.

Jennz6 · Answer

Alert 🔔

Ariesman81 · Answer

😂😂😂

jahaims · Answer

Predator

Anonymous · Answer

Gold diggers!

Why do women refer to themselves as "Cougars"?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

I've noticed, women are really bothered by the term "Cougar" why is that? Does it seem desperate or shameful? Help me out Ladies?

Why do women refer to themselves as "Cougars"?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

I've noticed, women are really bothered by the term "Cougar" why is that? Does it seem desperate or shameful? Help me out Ladies?

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