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“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” — Epictetus
With each year new terms gain popularity, becoming part of the American lexicon either for a season or much longer. From “lit” to “okurr,” people have developed creative terminology for almost everything. However, while some transcend areas such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, others have yet to be well received. This was the case when conflicting views circulated around the term “Karen,” which recently gained notoriety on social media and beyond.
Though “Karen” has been used for over a year, some have voiced concern about its meaning well into mid-April. For example, @EmillySwaven posted to Twitter the following on April 21st:
“I demand ABSOLUTE censorship of the K-word on Twitter. @jack If my demands are not met, me and MILLIONS other women will delete their accounts. The attack on innocent white women has to stop. Twitter has became a platform for incels.”
Call
“Karen” is defined as a mocking slang term directed at entitled, obnoxious, middle-aged White women. The archetypal “Karen” has blonde hair, multiple young kids, and is typically an anti-vaxxer. Additionally, acting rude toward working-class staff or asking “to see the manager” when having an unpleasant shopping experience — though usually an…
