Search
Select the dictionary language
a man or boy considered weak or effeminate
What is the origin of the term "pansy" and how is it used?
"Pansy" meaning a weak or effeminate man developed from the same flower association with delicacy and femininity. By the early 20th century it was used to insult boys or men seen as lacking toughness or masculinity. It appears in teasing, insults, and cultural stereotypes. The term is derogatory and gender-stereotyping, though sometimes used jokingly among friends.
a homosexual man
What is the origin of the term "pansy" and how is it used?
"Pansy" comes from the flower name, which itself derives from French pensée ("thought"). By the early 20th century it was applied to homosexual men, based on stereotypes linking flowers with femininity. The term appeared in insults and social commentary. It is derogatory and offensive when used this way.
