Showing prejudice or discrimination against someone because of their gender, usually against women.
From Latin 'sexus' meaning 'sex' or 'gender,' combined with the suffix '-ist' meaning 'one who practices.' The word became widespread in English during the 1960s women's rights movement, though the concept is ancient.
Interestingly, the term 'sexism' is remarkably recent—coined in the 1960s alongside 'racism' because suddenly people realized discrimination needed specific names to be fought effectively, showing how language itself can be a tool for social change.
Term emerged 1960s-70s as women's liberation moved systemic discrimination into public discourse.
Use to name discrimination accurately. Avoid softening language like 'outdated' when describing active harm.
The feminist movement created vocabulary to name what women had always endured—this word is a tool for justice.
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