The Fat Positive Lounge

nycfem · 02-24-2012, 10:36 AM

There are certain words or phrases that I find oppressive and fat-negative. They are words that I may nod along with but am cringing inside. They are words that I even use at times when talking to people because I know it's their language. Here's my list. Do you have a list of words or phrases that you find to be fat negative?

1) "Overweight." Over WHAT weight? Some ideal determined by insurance companies and patriarchal doctors?

2) "War on Obesity." This is so literally negative and easily morphs into "war on fat people." How about something positive, especially for a phrase that is so often applied to children, like, "Team for Healthiness."

3) "Obese" and "Morbidly obese." When I hear these words, I immediately think of how cold and clinical they are. They are never a compliment, and that says a lot.

And how about fat positive words that we love hearing? Here's my list, and I'd love to know yours:

1) fat (direct, can be used negatively but also down-to-earth)

2) full-figured (feels direct and respectful- of course, as all fat phrases in our culture, can be used negatively)

3) voluptuous (sensual, complimentary, a "feel good" word)

02-24-2012, 10:36 AM	#11
nycfem Moderator How Do You Identify?: femme sub Preferred Pronoun?: Baby Grrl Relationship Status: Attached Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 6,794 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 52,987 Thanked 21,452 Times in 5,101 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	There are certain words or phrases that I find oppressive and fat-negative. They are words that I may nod along with but am cringing inside. They are words that I even use at times when talking to people because I know it's their language. Here's my list. Do you have a list of words or phrases that you find to be fat negative? 1) "Overweight." Over WHAT weight? Some ideal determined by insurance companies and patriarchal doctors? 2) "War on Obesity." This is so literally negative and easily morphs into "war on fat people." How about something positive, especially for a phrase that is so often applied to children, like, "Team for Healthiness." 3) "Obese" and "Morbidly obese." When I hear these words, I immediately think of how cold and clinical they are. They are never a compliment, and that says a lot. And how about fat positive words that we love hearing? Here's my list, and I'd love to know yours: 1) fat (direct, can be used negatively but also down-to-earth) 2) full-figured (feels direct and respectful- of course, as all fat phrases in our culture, can be used negatively) 3) voluptuous (sensual, complimentary, a "feel good" word)