That Offensive "B" Word

Me, as a blonde, 2008

I absolutely CRINGE when I hear a woman referring to another as a  “bimbo.” So much for sisterhood, right?

According to Wikipedia: Bimbo is a mildly derogatory slang term that typically describes an attractive but observably behaviourally unintelligent woman.

First, there is no such thing as “mildly (another word I hate) derogatory.” Something is either derogatory or it isn’t — period!

Second, who is to say what is “behaviourally unintelligent,” especially when name calling is behaviourally unintelligent in its own right? It’s like the pot calling the kettle black. If someone is a little ditzy (now there’s a word I do like because it’s less offensive and everyone can relate to it), it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Think “I Love Lucy” or “Three’s Company” where ditzy women made others laugh. They were funny and lovable characters. My husband calls me “Lucy” all the time because, it’s true, I am a ditz. I’m clumsy, I do things too fast and I’m always in these hilarious scenarios that a lot of people say remind them of a “Seinfeld” episode. The good news is, I may not be the smartest chick on the block, but I make people smile and that’s a good thing.

What people need to understand is that not everyone is going to have the highest IQ or get the best job or breeze through college.

And even if someone does have a high IQ or is gifted with being smart, it doesn’t necessary make someone better than someone else. I know a lot of  “smart” people who lack social skills or are insensitive or are very intelligent in a certain area but limited in other areas making it hard to converse with such a person unless he/she is talking about his/her job.

That said, maybe intelligence is a little over rated? Sometimes I think so. I’d definitely trade in my writing award if I could be a little more loving and patient during my period.

Let me put things into further perspective for you. If I say the name “Nancy Spungeon” you won’t know who I’m talking about. But if I say, “Sid & Nancy” or “Sex Pistols” you know who she is. Now, Nancy Spungeon had a genius IQ of 179 yet she couldn’t make her way in this world, ending up a heroin addict and dead at 21 for being in the wrong place at the right time. Many have referred to Nancy Spungeon as a “dumb bimbo.” See where I’m going with this? Nancy was very smart, not dumb at all. But she grew up in a time when depression wasn’t fully explored. That poor kid never got the help she needed, may she rest in peace.

Life isn’t always fair and we all have to work with the cards we are dealt with. Some of us have challenges like dyslexia (that would be me!) or OCD or ADD or other learning disabilities that make us struggle a lot more than others. Others may be struggling with depression. Or maybe sometimes we just do and say dumb things because of our nerves and the words just don’t come out right.

You just never know!

So if anyone reading throws the “bimbo” word around a little too loosely, maybe this post will make you think twice before having an acid tongue in regard to others. Everyone has something to add to this world and you can learn something from anyone if you listen hard enough. Just give others a chance, don’t write them off so quickly as a “bimbo.”

Let’s just stop using that offensive word once and for all and bring sisterhood back into the 21st Century.

Let’s keep it really real, ladies!