A plural noun that can refer to fatty foods or cuts of meat with high fat content; informally and sometimes offensively used as a slang term.
From 'fatty' (adjective meaning containing or resembling fat) + plural '-ies.' The word comes from Old English 'fætt,' related to Germanic languages. The informal usage emerged in the 20th century.
The term 'fatties' shows how quickly neutral descriptive words can become insulting when applied to people—linguists call this 'pejoration,' and it's a reminder that words themselves aren't mean, but the context and intent behind them absolutely are!
Slur targeting weight; disproportionately weaponized against women and girls, intersecting with beauty standards and control narratives. Gendered mockery of bodies.
Never use. Replace with respectful person-first or neutral language. Acknowledge weight stigma as gendered harm.
["people with obesity","larger individuals","use specific medical terminology if relevant"]
Fat feminism and body liberation movements, pioneered by Black women and disabled activists, center self-determination over external judgment.
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