Applied to "strong-minded" or "masculine" women, intellectuals, or feminists.
Used as a colloquialism or pun on "female" to describe women, sometimes pejoratively (e.g., used by Davy Crockett in American folklore). what are shemales
Most people in the transgender community consider the word dehumanizing and degrading. Outside of pornography, it is widely regarded as a slur that reduces an individual's identity to their genitalia. Outside of pornography, it is widely regarded as
The widely preferred and respectful terms are transgender or trans woman . Historically, the term "transsexual" was used to describe those who medically transition, though it is now often considered outdated. The meaning of the word has shifted significantly
The meaning of the word has shifted significantly over two centuries:
Some individuals, particularly those in the sex trade or specific subcultures, may occasionally reclaim the term for self-identification, though this is rare in general society. Historical Evolution