Wide areas of shallow water in Norfolk, England, or an offensive slang term for women (dated).
From Old English 'brad' meaning broad or wide, describing the characteristic wide but shallow nature of the Norfolk wetlands. The slang usage emerged in early 20th-century American English, likely from 'broad' meaning wide-faced or crude.
The Norfolk Broads are a stunning system of shallow lakes that formed when medieval peat diggers flooded the landscape—so 'broads' is actually a beautiful geographic feature that humanity created accidentally while trying to mine fuel. Now they're a nature reserve and haven for wildlife.
'Broads' as slang for women emerged in early-20th-century American English; derived from the dehumanizing idea of women as generically wide/blank, used dismissively in noir and crime fiction.
Use 'women,' 'girls,' 'ladies,' or specific names. Reserve 'broads' only for historical dialogue with clear context.
["women","girls","ladies"]
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