Weekly Poll: Is the word “Gal” offensive?

36 Responses to “Weekly Poll: Is the word “Gal” offensive?”

1. LornaJane on February 6th, 2007 3:27 am
   

   Here in the UK we don’t use “gal” as a common form of address but I don’t think its offensive. I can put up with most forms of address, even at work, which is just as well as here in Yorkshire I get a range of “love”, “pet”, “duck” and who knows what else. I try to refer to women as “woman” rather than “lady” or “girl” and so long as nobody calls me “babe” I’m happy
2. Lissa on February 6th, 2007 1:13 pm
   

   I think Gal is fine, I personally don’t like to be called a mam, because I think it sounds old.
3. abby on February 6th, 2007 1:25 pm
   

   i agree with lissa. gal is ok to call anyone where if you call somone a different name such as mam or miss you seem to take offense to it. I believe it is just a way to express who you are without putting a major label on you.
4. gretchen on February 6th, 2007 5:47 pm
   

   As I see it, it’s not offensive. I think it is the equivolent to “guy”. Now what about “girl”? Is it improper to refer to a grown woman as a “girl”? My husband says he frequently hears phrases like “the girls in the front office” when referring to the secretaries. Is that bothersome or should they be referred to as women?
5. Paula The Surf Mom on February 7th, 2007 10:51 am
   

   This PC stuff just goes too far sometimes… There is nothing wrong with “Gal”
6. Paula The Surf Mom on February 7th, 2007 10:54 am
   

   But then I’m a cowgirl type with a southern accent from North Carolina where Ya’ll is considered indeed a real word.
7. kel1 on February 7th, 2007 2:11 pm
   

   I don’t see anything wrong with it. I mean, unless someone uses it in a derogatory way, with the intention to insult me, then I don’t take offense.

   I notice that in the UK they DO have very different ways of addressing people. I think I’d like it better there. I’d rather be called “love” than “gal.”
8. Biker Betty on February 8th, 2007 7:54 pm
   

   I think Gal isn’t used much these days. I can’t remember when I last heard it, but it might be something I just wouldn’t take notice to.

   It’s not offensive to me, unless used in a bad way. Many ordinary words can be offensive if used in a wrong way or tone.
9. gretchen on February 8th, 2007 8:50 pm
   

   I really don’t hear it much these days either. I do notice that when I hear it, it’s coming from a much older person. I just don’t think my generation uses it as much. But I agree, as long as it’s used in a nice way it’s not offensive.
10. Stephanie on February 8th, 2007 11:23 pm
    

    Not generally offensive. Better than “girls” at the very least.
11. Kristen on February 9th, 2007 12:26 pm
    

    Clearly I’m not offended by the word chick and I’m not generally offended by most forms of address. Girl, gal, chick, people even call women dudes these days. That’s all fine and good in a casual environment. However, I think in business, it depends on how it’s said and who’s saying it. Sometimes gal comes across as intentionally demeaning. Like “gals in the workforce” and that kind of crap.
12. Michelle Twiste on February 13th, 2007 1:52 am
    

    I’m not intimidated by “Gal” - Two of which have competing definitions as per my online dictionary.

    1. Gal - alliterative term for girl (or woman)

    2. Gal - a unit of gravitational acceleration equal to one centimeter per second per second (named after Galileo)

    I’m more partial to definition # 2… ;P

    - M’chell
13. Myra Slater on March 9th, 2007 1:58 pm
    

    I really don’t feel comfortable with the word “gal” but, perhaps it’s because I consider it as one of those out-dated words which reflect the user as a bit “out of touch.” This may sound a bit over the top. The word “gal” has the potential of insulting and nonimpressing. Referring to your audience as “gals” in a professional setting does not convey respect, power or sophistication. The word “gal” has that “good old boy” flavor. Take the extreme of the “N” word, which is vulgar to some persons, both African-Americans and non-African-Americans. Yet, for some, considered appropriate within a certain cultural context when used by certain persons. The other extreme is “you guys” which sounds totally inappropriate and immature when used with an intelligent or professional audience and yet, perfectly benign in a more personable, fun, nonformal context. Therefore, I summize that the word, “gal” is probably disrespectful to some (female)in the context of profession and power, because it addresses one (generally female) inappropriately. It’s like saying, “yes Mam” [with a southern accent] versus saying, “yes, President [Hiliary] Clinton.” It’s not vulgar. It’s just not the smartest word to use. Yet, in the context of being informal, personable, and fun (depending who your audience is), it is perfectly benign and, therefore, o.k. I don’t think my 98 year old granny would mind being referred to as a pretty good old gal, but then again, knowing my Grandmother, she might. See what I mean. Granny sounds sweet to some just as “gal” does. Yet, grandmother sounds a bit more respectful.
14. Mrs.T on April 14th, 2007 11:48 am
    

    I have always found the word gal to be offensive . I am not just jumping on the PC bandwagon. As an African -American woman born and raised in the South, I know that it was used derogatorily towards black females. “Tell that gal to get busy”, “Come here gal ” and on an on and on..
    When I have heard it used , as as they now say CASUALLY I ,have alway told the person using it that it was a derogatory term.
15. Machelle on May 29th, 2007 7:03 am
    

    The word is offensive and refers to African American Women in a derogatory manner. It was also used in the movie “Color Purple” by a white man inthe film. He used it in the movie refferring to a young black lady. It is offensive and the word originated in the south. My great grandmother who is deceased and would be 110 today also told me that the word Gal was used to downgrade young black women in the south in the 1900’s.
16. Kel1 on May 29th, 2007 12:34 pm
    

    Wow, I had no idea the term was used in such a way in the past.

    I have never particularly thought it was the greatest of terms (I prefer “ladies”), but certainly never knew it was used as a derogatory term for African American women.
17. Zupko2001 on May 30th, 2007 8:46 am
    

    I always think of the word “gal” as an old outdated way of addressing women. While I dont feel it is derogatory (also, not knowing the meaning behind it when used in the past toward African American women)

    I actually prefer the word “woman”. If you think about the connotations that go with the word “Lady” and compare it to the word “Woman” Woman sounds stronger and shows more power than any of the others.

    Look at these two sentences and what comes into your mind for each. “I am a woman poker player.” “I am a lady poker player.” Which sounds stronger and more knowledgable?
18. gretchen on May 30th, 2007 9:10 am
    

    Yeah - I agree - Woman is a much stronger word. I don’t really like the term “gal” - not because of it’s original use as noted by Machelle, but because it sounds so old-fashioned to me.
19. Shahara on June 11th, 2007 6:25 am
    

    Gal is a derrogatory word used back in the days of slavery to address the “house gal”. That is why it is offensive to many people, especially in the south. Do not ever call a black woman “gal” expecially in corporate America. You will get a very odd look, although you probably meant nothing about it. It will be impressive if you immediately correct someone who says this. You’ve got the knowledge, now pass it on.
20. gretchen on June 11th, 2007 6:01 pm
    

    Thank you Shahara - I will most definitely pass it on!
21. Hoss on December 31st, 2007 1:22 am
    

    Gal is a bad word, people who use it sound backward, outdated and by certain standards, racist. I witnessed a manager in the workplace use the word gal in reference to an African American female co-worker and she made him wish he had never called her “A good gal.” Everyone involved wished the old fella had just kept his mouth shut and never tried to compliment someone… When all else fails just keep your mouth shut and dont call anybody gal, ever…

    Thanks for this post.
22. LaRue on January 8th, 2008 1:02 am
    

    Listen,

    I was watching Good Morning America, with Diane Sawyer, interviewing Barack Obama and he made the statement that his wife was a hard working gal. I am outraged that a young man, that is telling the world that he is a change agent, is so backwards and using a word that African American women find to be offensive. Gal is a negative word used in the south to demean women. It is embarasing that Obama would use a term identifying the workds of his wife. And, the American people have not said a word about it…
23. Chet on January 29th, 2008 5:44 pm
    

    I was just called out by of all people, my brother on using this term. I sincerely had no idea it was perceived by some people to be derogatory. From my own perspective, the word means more like what the earlier posters in this thread indicated, a cool casual reference to a woman. To me, it was, in fact, positive; and much better than calling a girl “dude” even though, without regard to sex, the same sort of semantics is usually implied.

    Still and especially, I have a real issue with people attacking innocent word users like Barack (whom I am not for incidentally) and taking exception to the word and not the wway the speaker intended it. The intent is what matters. Your emotional response to a word, without any accountability to listen carefully for the semantic intent of its use on a case by case basis, is a knee-jerk darkness you should choose not to spread in our beautiful world.

    Just a theory.
    Just something to consider for guys and gals alike!
24. LaRue on January 29th, 2008 10:08 pm
    

    I think we all have different opinions of what is considered as proper and offensive. It depends on the time and generation and what took place during the time that you remember certain words and certain situations… I am from the South, I have been discriminated against and I have struggled to be in the position I am presently holding. I have been called many names…However, it is strong woman like myself who have made it possible for young women to feel comfortable with being called, gals,bitches, dogs, and you can come up with other names that rapers are calling women now days. However, to each his own, and I don’t think the future first lady of the white house should be referred to as Gal…Do you?
25. Chet on January 30th, 2008 1:55 am
    

    Well I have no problem with him referring to his wife as a gal (even if she does become the First Lady) because I think he meant it as she was a hard worker and a down-to-Earth woman and he was in-fact respectful in connotation. But that is my takeaway from his meaning which is the evidence upon which I base my emotional reaction to his statements. I think it is fairly clear that the word itself is not consigned to derogatory neglect for most people. This means, and this is just my opinion, that speakers like myself (and I venture to say Barack) can only hope that listeners take the time and give us the considersation to carefully weigh exactly what we intend to say, and that they do not let an almost Pavlovian response to historical or even personal experiences that causes them to red flag a word, reflect improperly on us.

    It’s just a personal hope.

    I did care enough about my brother’s response to me to look it up. The lion’s share of evidence available that I could find on the internet seems to show that, by far, a majority of listeners are in fact mystified by why the word would be considered derogatory.
26. LaRue on January 30th, 2008 11:04 pm
    

    Again, this is my personal preference, I don’t like the word gal, never will. Now, gal, if you enjoy being call that, that is your personal option.
27. Jo Anna on February 9th, 2008 8:16 pm
    

    I definitely do not like the word gal or yes man. And, I agree 100% about gal being a good old boy word that was used to call black woman during slavery and after slavery too. In the south white men are really terrible for using this word. That’s one way I can tell if a white person is probably from the south. It’s a good old boy term,and they just can’t get over it. It’s bone deep. It’s a crying shame. Why can’t we all just get along and live and let us live already why don’t you!
28. Paul on February 15th, 2008 9:36 pm
    

    I am a 46 y/o male that was born and raised in a northern state. I was not raised in the slavery era. So to associate men that use the term gal, as being good ole boys is offensive to me. I am not a good ole boy. I merely use the word gal like a woman would use the word guy. Seems some people are so cought up in the past that they find offense when offense wasn’t even intended.
29. Jamie Hankins on March 13th, 2008 1:18 pm
    

    Being from South England, I’m familar with the word being used without the connotations expressed by the Americans and only as a slang term for ‘girl’ with perhaps connotations of being ‘down to earth’, and thus basically a feminine version of the term ‘guy’.

    It’s certainly been interesting to hear that it has developed other connotations elsewhere, worth being aware of should I ever find myself in the southern states of the USA.

    I certainly wouldn’t criticise a Brit for using the term though, as the term simply lacks those connotations in British English.
30. gretchen on March 13th, 2008 2:11 pm
    

    It just amazes me at what offends us sometimes. We often assume that the offending person is purposely trying to hurt us in some way when honestly they just see things from a different perspective.
31. T. Eddie on April 23rd, 2008 2:53 pm
    

    Gal to an African American woman is the same as “boy” to an African American man. Just shouldn’t be used.
32. tiffanie on April 23rd, 2008 5:09 pm
    

    Even though no offense is meant, when you learn better, you do better. The term was undoubtedly used in a derogatory way; it was used as a source of power, basically to strip black women of their womanhood. Another example of this is that grown black women were expected to call white women - even white girls “Miss,” whereas the white women or white girls were expected to call the grown black women by either their first names or “gal.” Language in our American culture has been used to do unbelievable things. We have come a long way from those days in our country. No, we don’t need to be stuck in the past, however, it is totally ludacris to think that racism is over-just look at the kkk riot in Jena, LA this Jan. or the neo-nazi march in Columbia, MO last year. People are still hateful. Bottom line is that now that you know that it was used in a derogatory sense, pick another word to use to describe a female. When you know better, you do better; otherwise, continue to showcase your ignorance and insensitivity to fellow Americans-fellow humans.
33. LaRue on April 23rd, 2008 7:23 pm
    

    Taffinie,

    Very well said. If you are aware that a word is used in a negative manner, don’t use it…

    If you continue to use it, then you are no better than the user of the word during slavery.

    I wonder why there are so many negative words directed toward African American by whites, but there are no negative words directed toward whites by African Americans, as a whole. White gals and boys are always putting their foot in their mouth and having to apologize afterwards, why is this.
34. Dale Cavallin on May 2nd, 2008 7:29 pm
    

    Having grown up in rural Southern California in the 1940’s and 50’s, I NEVER thought there was anything derogatory at all about the word “gal”. As a matter of fact, I used to sing what was a popular song out of the Big Band Era…. “I’ve got a GAL in Kalamazoo”. My own mother would say
    things like “some OTHER GALS and I are planning
    a picnic”. We’re talking folksy informality here. I get a kick out of those who are “oh-so-hip” and politically correct nowadays staying awake all night looking for more ways to be offended.
    C’mon! Laugh it off, lighten up,and GET A LIFE!
    And…if one really wants to be offended, I’d
    suggest directing some well-deserved anger at the
    depravity and filth in today’s “culture”.
35. LaRue on May 4th, 2008 1:25 am
    

    What do you mean, filth in todays culture? What culture(s) are you speaking about? Now, you NEED TO GET A LIFE… and go GET YOUR GALS TO HELP YOU CLEAN UP THE MESS…
36. tiffanie on May 5th, 2008 12:43 pm
    

    It’s not about whether or not you mean to offend someone. Nor is it about the fact that there are other issues that need addressing. Just because something doesn’t offend you does not mean that it is not offensive. What I’ve learned is that the people who are capable of teaching others are the people who are great learners. When you learn better, you do better. Obviously in Southern California the term “gal” is not used to demean women; however in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and some other Southern states, the term was used to demean women. Instead of attempting to diminish the issue by bringing up other issues, what about saying, “Hey, today I learned something I didn’t know-now since I know this, I can apply the knowledge that I have, rather than continuing to showcase my ignorance.” Just a thought-when you know better, you do better.

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