Karen is a pejorative term used in the United States and other English-speaking countries for a rude woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary. A common stereotype is that of a woman who demands her own way at the expense of others. Depictions also include demanding to "speak to the manager", anti-vaccination beliefs, being racist, or sporting a particular bob cut hairstyle. As of 2020, the term was increasingly being used as a general-purpose term of disapproval for middle-aged

women.

It's the pejorative du jour. Before that it was other 'white lady' names like Becky, as in ' Barbecue Becky' for an entitled white woman who called the cops on a black family having a perfectly legal barbecue at a public park.

P.S. Urbandictionary.com can be helpful for unfamiliar slang.

Personally I am not liking the Karen trend. I have two IRL Karen’s in my life and they are both exceptional people. And one virtual, you!

There is another one, “Bye, Felicia” that made the rounds.

Who thinks of these things? Blah

It's a one word pejorative that aptly describes a situation that everyone immediately understands. But I agree with eld, the Karens in my life are all great people so I feel really badly that they are being singled out.

Here's a good definition that I found:

Karen

45.
Drives either an SUV or a minivan. Can be found complaining to managers
at either Burger King, or any McDonald's with a play area. Drinks
crappy wine with her other non-working mom friends at book club
and posts stupid memes on Instagram. Has a husband who works an office
job and makes all the money for her. Karen's can also be found on forums
on the internet talking about how much they hate Fortnite, social media
especially tik tok, and their husbands. Karens also own a variety of Walmart running shoes which they wear 24/7.

I would add to that that they are usually very racist and keep their cell phones handy in case a Black or Hispanic person comes near them, so that they can call the police and claim that their life is being threatened or that the person of the other race does not have a right to be where they are.

That said, my sister's name is Karen, and she is unaware of this use of her name as well. She is mostly not like this, as she is a lawyer and spends most of her time working. She does have a short temper, however.

Unfortunately, the person in the stereotype does exist - probably in great abundance and serves to annoy and harass countless people.

I also do not like this trend or these people. You'll probably find a few of them on Hot Topics complaining about democrats, posting stupid memes, and acting like they are the queen of the world. They also often complain about having to wear masks, as this is too much of an intrusion onto their freedom, and their freedom is more important than the health, safety, and well-being of others.

I'm glad I wasn't named Karen at birth. I would be highly offended!

I would be unhappy if I had been named "John."

After the Monica Lewinsky time.... I was glad, I had changed my name to Moni. :)

Then there was poor Debbie Schitz...she went to court and legally changed her name.

Now she's Veronica Schitz.

LOL, Annie!

:-)))

Carol, I hadn't heard of "Barbeque Becky" and Becky's my name.

Thanks for the explanation. Glad I go by SamKaren. Also..Thanks eld6161 for what you said. Virtual friends are the best

Just wait, this too shall pass.

I can't help it, but every time, I think of Plankton's computer wife Karen on SpongeBob...

Lars, one of my tasks at work is to send letters and information about our services to people who call our office looking for such. I'm always sad when I have to start a letter with, "Dear John."

eld6161:

Personally I am not liking the a Karen trend. I have two IRL Karen’s in my life and they are both exceptional people. Who thinks of these things? Blah.

As a middle age woman I've also wondered who thought to use the name Karen in this denigrating way. Someone who holds a grudge against a boss? Their mother? Why Karen? Debbie, Cathy, Mary are all much more common, but perhaps "too" common?? Hmm.

Prob'ly someone named Heather, Jennifer, or Emma started it and will get their comeuppance in a decade soon.

I've read about this, but have never *heard* it. Is this Karen a 'care-en' or a 'car-en'? (I've also known a 'Karin' -- German spelling?)

Tommy Tutone already made some of our lives miserable! heeheehee

Recently, I was binge watching Everyone Loves Raymond and in one of the old episodes (I think they are all old now?) Raymond said, "Don't be a Karen..." I was so surprised to hear that; not sure it's the origin, but the other character didn't question the meaning, and the meaning was definitely similar to how it's being used today.

I'm sorry for people named Karen whose name has been appropriated for this use, but compared to the things women have been called for ages, it's definitely nicer.

Was Raymond's mother named Karen? What decade was that sitcom popular?

Prob'ly someone named Heather, Jennifer, or Emma started it and will get their comeuppance in a decade soon.

By then perhaps we will have numerical identifiers. But even then, people will mock others "You're nothing but a dirty 211".

I think instead of "Karen," those women should be called "Ivanka." After all, isn't she the epitome of white privilege?

I can't remember the last time I met someone named Karen who was under 50. It reminds me of when Titus on The Unbreakeable Kimmy Schmidt met a guy whose baby was named Linda..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZYQkr324ms

Lucille, it's likely to be "You're nothing but a dirty 2020!"

Raymond's mother was Marie and it ran 1996–2005.

My niece is named Karen and she is the total and como,eye opposite of the Karen meme. She is a doctor who has a private practice but also runs a free clinic where she treats people at no charge. Hoping this goes away soon, along with Okay, Boomer.

Don't give more importance or prominence than is warranted to any of the inane and trivial practices and phrases developed by those active in "popular culture".

Believe it or not, but I have an uncle named Karen and he is a self-important, irritating man with an unfortunate name for a male.

Those type of women are extremely annoying - but to give them a real person name isn't right in my opinion.

We could substitute, "Yes, your worship."

To me, a "Karen" is a female of any age and any color who is self-important, self-serving, doesn't like people of other colors (or anyone really), has a loud, obnoxious mouth, argues with, yells or screams at people, gets angry over everything and nothing, and just generally behaves like an idiot. There is even a YouTube channel that's nothing but videos of "Karens". IMO, you have to be an extremely miserable person to behave like that. I don't like using Karen for these women either, but I guess it's too late to change now.

There are men who behave like this, too. What should we call them ? Howard ? George ? Bill ?

Why not just call them all A-holes - because that's what they are?

Well, I think they are already known as the nickname version of Richard, that starts with a D.

Yes, Lars, I was thinking that...we ought to switch that label to Donald, lol.

My nephew's wife is named Karen, and she's definitely a Karen.