meantolearn

“a broad - an offensive slang for a woman

 

 

 

1. I wonder why the slang is offensive? Does the slang imply the woman is large in size?

2. Is the slang still popular nowadays?

Thanks

”

1.  No, there is no connection whatsoever to the woman's size.  It is probably in reference to the fact that women have broad hips.  It became coarse over time.  In the first place, it isn't polite to refer to a person by her anatomy.  Second, most words in English that are curse or otherwise unacceptable come from a Germanic origin.  When the Normans conquered in 1066, they brought French with its Latin origins.  Frequently, words that were acceptable became less refined; the language of the peasants.  Many German origin words remain normal words.  Some became profane, depending on their meaning.  French origin words took over as the polite way to talk about these topics.

2.  Popular, no.  In certain circles you may here it but, I would say that I virtually never hear it used "in real life".  You will hear 'broad' on TV, usually by poorly educated characters.