Category Archives: Sociolinguistics

On Palin: Traps for the Unweary

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Kathleen Bergin

I’ve got a couple posts over at The Faculty Lounge explaining why I don’t support Sarah Palin.   (coupled with the video Ann’s got below!!)   Here’s one: Thoughts on Palin: Religious Politics and Book Bans Religious beliefs apparently played … Continue reading →

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Testation, Testicles and Ritual Practice

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

Today in Wills, Trusts & Estates class, we discussed the difference between dying testate (with a will) and intestate (without one).  We talked about the origins of the word testation, which the OED gives as “from  testrto witness, make a … Continue reading →

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“Straight in a Gay World”

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Essay by a straight man who worked at a gay organization about what he learned from the experience.

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Nervous Nellie Was Not a Woman

Posted on July 21, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

Today I found myself using the descriptor “Nervous Nellie” in an attempt to self-deprecate when reminding a colleague to do something (as in, “I’m probably being a Nervous Nellie, but I just wanted to check whether you had done …”). … Continue reading →

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From The Department of: “Anonymous” Was Usually A Woman

Posted on July 12, 2008 by Ann Bartow

This NYT article reports controversy over the authorship of the Serenity Prayer. Below is an excerpt: … For more than 70 years, the composer of the prayer was thought to be the Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, one of modern Christianity’s … Continue reading →

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Public Works officials in Atlanta are replacing “Men Working” signs with signs that say “Workers Ahead.”

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Story here. Props to Cynthia Good for making this happen.

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California group proposes George W. Bush Sewage Plant

Posted on July 8, 2008 by Ann Bartow

I’ve generally been critical of naming public facilities after living politicians, but this is one I can endorse: A California group submitted a proposal Monday to rename a sewage treatment plant after President Bush, calling the initiative a fitting tribute … Continue reading →

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On Backlash

Posted on July 1, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Katha Pollitt says backlash against feminism is “crackling up a storm”. Kira Cochrane says the same thing is happening in the UK. And Dodai at Jezebel writes: Here’s a fun exercise: Think of 5 celebrities you love, and 5 celebs … Continue reading →

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Men Hate Us, Another Reminder

Posted on June 19, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Interview with Jessica Valenti of Feministing here at Moblogic, is followed by large numbers of mostly horrible comments.

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Michelle Obama Watch

Posted on June 13, 2008 by Ann Bartow

At What About Our Daughters.

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“Hundreds turn back on Schlafly at ceremony”

Posted on May 17, 2008 by Ann Bartow

According to St. Louis Today: Some felt the silent protest with white armbands and the dramatic turning of backs was disrespectful. But those who took part said it was a fitting way to show their disapproval that Washington University was … Continue reading →

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“Misogyny I Won’t Miss”

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Marie Cocco writes at the WaPo: As the Democratic nomination contest slouches toward a close, it’s time to take stock of what I will not miss. I will not miss seeing advertisements for T-shirts that bear the slogan “Bros before … Continue reading →

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Lesbos Residents File Suit Over Use of Term “Lesbian”

Posted on May 2, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From this CNN.com article, sophomorically entitled “Lesbos ladies launch lesbian lawsuit”: … Three islanders from Lesbos — home of the ancient poet Sappho, who praised love between women — have taken a gay rights group to court for using the … Continue reading →

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11th Circuit reverses a lower court’s summary judgment dismissing a gender-based employment discrimination claim by analogizing to race.

Posted on May 2, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From The Blog of Legal Times: … In the case, the plaintiff, Ingrid Reeves, worked as the only female transportation sales representative in the Transportation Sales Section of C. H. Robinson Worldwide’s Birmingham, Alabama branch office. Reeves alleged in her … Continue reading →

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Who’s Got Game?

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

“The game is not worth the candle,” a former boss used to say. In context I understood the phrase to mean “the result is not worth the effort,” with some unspoken risk inherent in the “game” for which a “candle” … Continue reading →

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Bigotry and Pornography

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Some horrible racist, anti-semitic GOP congressional candidate in Indiana links his opposition to pornography and prostitution (involving “young, white women and girls” only, apparently) to his disgusting bigotry, and of course the Supposedly Liberal Doods find it completely hilarious to … Continue reading →

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“Girl Dating Tips”

Posted on April 22, 2008 by Ann Bartow

This is the kind of thing that can either make you bonk your head on the nearest wall, or laugh out loud, depending on your mood and how you are wired generally.

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A short clip of biting satire about the male-centric music industry, by Erykah Badu

Posted on April 20, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here. Not safe for work, especially if you work in the male-centric music industry.

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“Own What You Think”

Posted on April 19, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Inside Higher Ed has an account of a response by Princeton University students to JuicyCampus, “where students can call out others by name and make potentially libelous, hateful or damaging statements without apparent consequence.” Below is an excerpt: The issues … Continue reading →

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Robert I. Sutton, “The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t.”

Posted on April 18, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From this website: “In his new book, Sutton reveals the huge TCA (Total Cost of Assholes) in today’s corporations. He shows how to spot an asshole (hint: they are addicted to rude interruptions and subtle putdowns, and enjoy using “sarcastic … Continue reading →

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If You Haven’t Read Rebecca Solnit’s Essay, “Men Explain Things To Me,” You Must.

Posted on April 17, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here’s the link. Below is an excerpt, in case you need convincing: … He cut me off soon after I mentioned Muybridge. “And have you heard about the very important Muybridge book that came out this year?” So caught up … Continue reading →

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Squaw Peak (in Arizona) will be renamed for Lori Piestewa, a Hopi woman who died in action in Iraq.

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Ann Bartow

So reports a post entitled “U.S. board approves naming of Piestewa Peak” posted at the Ojibway Migisi Bineshii blog (via), and it makes me really happy. Using trademark law as a doctrinal launching place, I argued in this article that … Continue reading →

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“At the New York Times Book Review, all the misogyny is fit to print”

Posted on April 10, 2008 by Ann Bartow

So says Sarah Seltzer, in this article entitled Hard Times. I’m not sure I agree with everything she says but she is certainly correct that the NYT seems rabidly afraid of feminism. Link via Feministing. –Ann Bartow

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“Ooh Girl!”

Posted on April 1, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Best R&B song ever. Maybe not safe for work, depending on where you work.

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Still More Misogyny

Posted on March 31, 2008 by Ann Bartow

This time from spoiled rich kids at a private high school in NYC. In about five years, give or take, some of them will be enrolling in law schools, but hopefully not mine. Via Jezebel. –Ann Bartow

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Rebecca Walker on “Why Feminists Stink and I Hate Them”

Posted on March 23, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Okay, that isn’t the exact title, but it might just as well be. Among many other things, I wonder what she means by “this generation.” I’m younger than Barack Obama and only five years older than Walker herself, but still … Continue reading →

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Ashley Herzog asks: “How long before feminists try to censor this?”

Posted on March 18, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Ashley Herzog is a staff writer at   The (University of Ohio) Post who authored a 3/13/2008 article headlined “The Other Side: Despite feminist denial, sexes are wired differently,” in which she asserts thst “feminists” will “try to censor” a … Continue reading →

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Forget What Misogyny Toward Feminist Law Profs Looks Like?

Posted on March 15, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Timely reminders in the comments here if for some reason you are feeling inadequately hated on today. –Ann Bartow Update: Althouse is live blogging so there is plenty of fresh misogyny in her comments, and no doubt will be more … Continue reading →

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There Is No “Normal”

Posted on March 14, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Because everything about you requires fixing. Or you could just give up, and spend the money and time you save on books and music.

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“A Connecticut High School Student used vulgar slang on an Internet blog which was sent from her personal computer while at home. Specifically, she criticized the administration by saying “Jamfest is canceled due to douchebags in central office.” The school, in turn, refused to allow plaintiff to run for re-election as class secretary. She then won with write in ballots, but was not allowed to serve.”

Posted on March 6, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Read more here.

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“Viola’s Bookshelf is a new project blog dedicated to publishing altered out of copyright, or creative commons licensed fiction, where the character’s genders have been reversed. The idea behind this is to help provide an understanding of gender construction in fiction and to an extent in everyday life.”

Posted on March 5, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Viola’s Bookshelf is here. Via Hoyden About Town. Once electronic textbooks are more usable and adaptable, it would be interesting to do some gender bending of the language of judicial opinions, to see if holdings, and the rules derived from … Continue reading →

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Fact and Fiction, Authenticity and Stories of Oppression

Posted on March 4, 2008 by Ann Bartow

As you might already be aware if you’ve seen the NYT, “Margaret B. Jones” lied about her background. She grew up wealthy, rather than poor. Her self-reported escapades and good deeds were lies. And a Holocaust memoir published in 1997,”Misha: … Continue reading →

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“Bad Questions” by Calpernia Addams

Posted on March 3, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here. Via the F-Word Blog.

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“20 Tacky Religious Products Guaranteed to Anger God”

Posted on February 27, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Feminist it’s not, but funny it is. Here’s one from the list:

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On Universities’ Special Obligations to Combat Sexism

Posted on February 24, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

New Mexico State University President’s Commission on the Status of Women has developed a draft “Gender-Neutral Language Policy” (available here) for the University.   The Commission explains that their policy is grounded in the belief that institutions have a special … Continue reading →

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I guess if I criticize Scott Adams for this Dilbert strip, it creates some kind of irony.

Posted on February 24, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Nevertheless, this comic is repulsively sexist. –Ann Bartow

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Jane Fonda Did Not Use the Word as an Invective

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

I didn’t see it live, but I have seen the video of Jane Fonda on the Today Show. She stated the name of the monologue that producers of the ubiquitous Eve Ensler play initially asked her to recite. Fonda said … Continue reading →

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Time magazine’s senior political analyst and editor at large Mark Halperin opines that John Edwards “kinda thinks Obama is….he thinks Obama is kind of a pussy …”

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Media coverage here, here and here.

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Twisty Asks: How Cheap Is Your Love?

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here.

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Crazy Little Thing Called Rape

Posted on February 13, 2008 by Ann Bartow

I generally like the writing at The Situationist blog a lot, but how can the clip of a “Pepe Le Pew” cartoon at the end of this post represent anything except extremely coercive, unwanted sexual contact? Pepe Le Pew cartoons … Continue reading →

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“Doesn’t it seem as if Chelsea is sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?”

Posted on February 8, 2008 by Ann Bartow

That’s what MSNBC correspondent David Shuster asked while interviewing two guests about Chelsea Clinton’s role in her mother’s campaign, according to the WaPo.com (actual clip is here, and see also.) There aren’t enough hours in the day to blog every … Continue reading →

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“This Valentine’s Day say it with Beef”

Posted on February 8, 2008 by Ann Bartow

So says the Pig! Above is a scan of an advertisement from the print version of my local newspaper today, and beneath it a higher resolution version found on the Internets. I can only imagine what life is like outside … Continue reading →

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Susan Faludi, “Hillary and the Feminine Gaze, Up Close and Personal”

Posted on February 6, 2008 by Ann Bartow

In this essay, Faludi reviews, “THIRTY WAYS OF LOOKING AT HILLARY: REFLECTIONS BY WOMEN WRITERS,” edited by Susan Morrison. It starts out: Let’s imagine this book’s concept:30 well-known women writers talk about how they”feel”about Hillary Clinton:applied to 30 male writers … Continue reading →

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Language and Sexism

Posted on February 6, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

In the most recent volume of the Columbia Journal of Gender & the Law, Pat K. Chew (Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School) and Lauren K. Kelley-Chew (B.S. Candidate, Stanford University) have published their article, Subtly Sexist Language.   … Continue reading →

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Post removed by author

Posted on February 2, 2008 by Ann Bartow

I’m persuaded I overrreacted to something. Apologies to Rick Garnett. –Ann Bartow

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The Hypocrisy of Fetishizing Sexual Hypocrisy

Posted on January 29, 2008 by Ann Bartow

In a post salaciously entitled “Speaking of Teen Sex,” Duncan “Atrios” Black cackles and crows about a news story reporting: “A Utah retailer of family-friendly tapes and DVDs – Hollywood films with the “dirty parts” cut out of them – … Continue reading →

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More Evidence That Christopher Fairman’s Thesis Was Correct

Posted on January 24, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From The Consumerist: Fed up with a change in flight patterns that made them sleep in bed at night with earplugs, one Philly couple decided to paint “FUCK YOU FAA. NO FLY ZONE” and a symbol for “no planes” on … Continue reading →

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Margaret Cho Says: “Let She Who Is Without Period Stains Throw The First Tampon”

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here at the HuffPo.

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Supposedly Liberal Doods Assert New Hampshire Women Voted For Clinton Out Of “Sympathy”

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Did New Hampshire women vote for Clinton out of”sympathy”? Two of the “big” Supposedly Liberal Dood bloggers think so, Kos from Daily Kos and Atrios from Eschaton. Kos writes in part: The more she’s attacked on personal grounds, the more … Continue reading →

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Does ‘gender neutral’ language serve to cover up male violence?

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Jennifer Drew asks that question here at the f-word.

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