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Sexual DictionaryDictionary of the F-Word

machismo:

Spanglish word for exaggerated masculine pride, aggressive masculinity, blatant virility . The term derives from macho ; it entered American English in the 1940s, referring to a strong, exaggerated sense of masculine pride. In the 1960s, the feminist movement used to word to refer to aggressive, violent masculinity. Rosalie Maggio, The Dictionary of Bias-Free Usage (1991): ' By definition, only men can be macho ; there is no parallel for women ("macha" is incorrect). Because "macho " is often used derogatorily abd stereotypically, it may be better to replace it : overly aggressive, defensive, proud , overbearing, overconfident, show-off, arrogant, etc. The word "machismo" has been used of both sexes: Betty Friedan ( The Second Stage ) says: "female machismo... hides the same inadmissible self-hate, weakness, sense of powerlessness as machismo hides in men." '

QUOTE: Zsa Zsa Gabor: ' Macho does not prove mucho .'


See Also: machisma, machismo, macho

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