A device that flashes light on and off repeatedly, like a warning light or blinker; or someone who indecently exposes themselves in public.
From 'flash' (likely from Middle English, imitative origin) plus '-er' (one who does or makes something). The word has two distinct meanings that emerged at different times—the technical meaning in the early 1900s and the criminal sense later.
The flashing red light on emergency vehicles uses the flasher principle of intermittent light—research shows our brains notice moving or flashing light faster than constant light, which is why it works so well for warnings!
Disproportionately applied to men exposing genitals (noun form carries male perpetrator assumption), though women are labeled differently ('exhibitionist' or 'streaker') even in identical contexts, revealing gendered enforcement of indecency standards.
Use descriptive language (indecent exposure, public lewdness) rather than gendered nouns when discussing the act or behavior across genders.
["indecent exposure perpetrator","person engaging in public lewdness","describe the act neutrally"]
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