Why do people call females who are already grown up “girls” when they are already a young “woman”?

Question

females that are already at age 20+, people still call a female who is 25, 30 a girl, when they are actually a woman. Girls are aged under 18. Doesn’t it make the female immature?

richardcory · Accepted Answer

The English language is lacking the female equivalent of "guy". For men we have "boy" (clearly young, immature, can be directly insulting, even racially charged), "man" (adult, but emphasizes adult an masculine qualities) , and "guy" (which is pretty neutral on age.

For women we get "girl" (which implies some level of youth"), "woman" (which mostly means somewhat older women) and "Lady" which almost no one uses and implies either high social class or a mockery of same.

"Gal" exists but has fallen so far out of favor that its sounds intentionally archaic. (though some people use it in earnest).

"Young woman" sounds like you are about to get a spanking

Its considered insulting to suggest women are older than they are, so "girl" is often used to avoid the older-sounding "woman".

Lliam · Accepted Answer

Even old women like the word girl under the right circumstances. They might say "I'm going out with the girls."

Woman can sound more formal, even stilted. And it doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as "girl".

Girl sounds more playful, youthful, affectionate, romantic, and/or sexual.
"Girl" fits much better than "woman" in songs, too.

Which one sounds better to the ear, woman or girl?

Guys call their partners "babe" or "baby" all the time. It doesn't imply immaturity. It's just a term of affection.

Boomchakalaca · Accepted Answer

Eh it kinda bothers me a little about it like how they address someone older. I for one, call a older woman a “lady”

OlderAndWiser · Answer

My best friend is 71 years old and I still call him a boy.

nolabels · Answer

I used to do so often. I've consciously attempted to no longer call young women "girls". Occasionally I'll let "girl" slip from my mouth or typing fingers.

If a conversation is introduced to me by someone using the term "girls", I'll make a decision as to whether I'll join in using "girls", "young women", or "young ladies", depending on the subject at hand.

Great question.

😊👍

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

Girl = female adult
Young girl = female teenager
Little girl = female child

Thats just how I've always used it. So girl = woman, but woman is like, the old classy version of the word, the thing you call your mom or grandma, and girl is like the modern fun version, kind of like lady vs tomboy i guess? Or princess vs gamer girl? Or ma'am vs miss?

TadCurious · Answer

The usage of "girls" to refer to all females is in the name of this website that you're on. It's not "Women ask Men."

strateguy632 · Answer

they think it is like saying young that a lady wanted to hear.

BarryLiverstone · Answer

I can say this site is called girls ask guys, yet there are girls over 18 using it. What would they wanna be called? Girls make sense here as I’m a guy

Anonymous · Answer

It's just easier to say. If I'm talking about a man, I'll say "that guy", if I'm talking about a woman, I'll say "that girl"

slatyb · Answer

I stopped doing that a long time ago.

Jazzy54 · Answer

I don’t mind it.

Why do people call females who are already grown up “girls” when they are already a young “woman”?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Why do people call females who are already grown up “girls” when they are already a young “woman”?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.