Informal term for an attractive person, typically used in casual conversation. It can refer to someone who is physically appealing or sexually attractive.
From 'hot' (slang for sexually attractive) + '-ie' diminutive suffix. The use of 'hot' for attractiveness emerged in American slang in the early 20th century, with 'hottie' following as a playful diminutive form.
Hottie shows how temperature metaphors pervade attraction language across cultures—we call people 'hot,' 'cool,' or 'cold,' as if romantic interest literally changes our body temperature, which neuroscience suggests might actually be true!
Objectifying slang peaking in 1990s-2000s marketing; disproportionately applied to women. Reduces people to physical attractiveness, often trivializing or sexualizing without consent.
Avoid in professional contexts. Use descriptive, respectful language that honors agency and dignity.
["attractive person","person","individual"]
Feminist media criticism (Naomi Wolf, Laura Mulvey) dismantled how casual objectification erases women's competence and humanity in public discourse.
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