Karen entered the English language from Danish, where it has been a short form of "Katherine" since medieval times. It proceeded from the Greek word Aikaterine, which is believed to mean "pure." It became popular in the English-speaking world in the 1940s. The name Karen was one of the top 10 names for girls born in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, peaking as the third most popular girl's name in 1965. Due to its increasingly common derogatory use since 2017, the name has become significantly less popular in the United States in recent years.
Karen is a proper name and should not be used otherwise. When used as slang to mean "bad" or "vile", feelings of anger, hate, and sadistic amusement are evoked and directed toward anyone with this name. The derogatory use of the name Karen started as a joke in current pop culture but it has been perpetuated to the point that the popularity of the name is in decline and some people who were given this noble name at birth have legally changed their name due to the stigma that is now attached. That's no longer a joke.
Karen is a proper name and should not be used otherwise. When used as slang to mean "bad" or "vile", feelings of anger, hate, and sadistic amusement are evoked and directed toward anyone with this name. The derogatory use of the name Karen started as a joke in current pop culture but it has been perpetuated to the point that the popularity of the name is in decline and some people who were given this noble name at birth have legally changed their name due to the stigma that is now attached. That's no longer a joke.
by Celtic Woman1 May 06, 2023
A person, typically female that starts arguments online with random people and then reports their retorts.
"Man, this karen really came up on my post, throwing shade and attitude and then reported me for clapping back"
by PinkChibiMemes July 14, 2021
Karen: CAN I SPEAK TO THE MANAGER!!!!???
by Pastelgirl August 10, 2022
A middle age white woman with "the haircut" and sunglasses who, contrary to the stereotype, actually expresses compassion and selflessness in her words and actions.
Wow Marcus when your mom asked to speak to the African American manager I thought she was going to complain and make a scene. Instead she complimented the food and decor and asked where she could leave a 5 star review and complimented the picture of his wife he had in his office.
Yeah she's a real Karen-for-others
Yeah she's a real Karen-for-others
by Pski August 08, 2020
Even more powerful than Big Oil or Big Pharma, Big Karen is the core demograph down to which all other powers must ultimately bow. She's white, she's over 50, and damn is she ever entitled. She has the most votes, and in real terms, controls the most capital. Why are there a million black men doing unpaid labor in American prisons? Cui Bono? The most typical depositor to the financial institutions that derive profit from prison labor is... guess who. Big Karen has The Patriarchy pussywhipped. Big Karen says you're victimizing her by not feeding her a bigger omelet, but also by breaking too many eggs. Big Karen says there are too many babies being born. But what part of the population is actually exploding? Guess who.
Sorry, we still can't ratify the E.R.A. Big Karen is ready to be PAID for heavy lifting, but not ready for actually DOING any heavy lifting.
by Orangeboxman May 27, 2021
by Brickell Bob July 24, 2022
A rotten, wretched old lady. Someone's grandmother who is way beyond expiration and/or should be put into a nursing home.
A nasty old woman who treats you like dirt.
A nasty old woman who treats you like dirt.
Did you hear what that old woman said to me? Seriously, Gramma Karen?!
My boyfriend's Gramma Karen has it out for me. Every time I see her, she always has something rude to say.
My boyfriend's Gramma Karen has it out for me. Every time I see her, she always has something rude to say.
by Amanda KKK P November 29, 2010