Exaggerated or overly emotional behavior intended to attract attention; or theatrical performances and acting.
From 'dramatic,' which comes from Greek 'dramatikos' meaning relating to drama or action, from 'dran' meaning to do or act. The plural '-ics' ending creates a noun meaning the dramatic arts or dramatic behavior.
When someone is 'doing dramatics,' they're literally pulling from theater tradition where exaggeration and emotion are the tools of the craft—so calling someone theatrical for their behavior is actually technically accurate!
Historically feminized as 'hysterical' or 'theatrical' — emotional expression in women coded as performance or pathology; men's intensity framed as 'passion' or 'conviction.'
Use 'emotional expression' or 'emphatic communication'; avoid coded gendered judgment of tone. Evaluate content, not performativity.
["emotional expression","emphatic communication","intensity"]
Recognize women's historical exclusion from theaters (earlier centuries) and later stereotyping when admitted; women playwrights and performers deserve credit for reclaiming dramatic authority.
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