A whale is a very large marine mammal that lives in the ocean, breathes air, and often has a streamlined body for swimming.
“Whale” comes from Old English “hwæl,” from Proto-Germanic “hwalaz.” Related forms appear in many old European languages for large sea creatures.
Whales are mammals, not fish—they breathe air, nurse their young, and are more closely related to cows than to sharks. Some whale songs can travel thousands of kilometers through the ocean’s deep sound channels.
Beyond its literal meaning, "whale" has been used as an insult about body size, disproportionately aimed at women and girls. This usage reflects and reinforces fatphobic and gendered body-shaming norms.
Use "whale" only for the animal or clear metaphors unrelated to body size, and avoid applying it to people. When discussing body size, use respectful, person-first language and medically accurate terms if needed.
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