To mansplain is for a man to talk to a woman in a condescending tone that implies the man thinks of himself as smarter or superior in some way to the woman which he is not. Some people will use this term unnecessarily when a point they made has been proven incorrect and they have nothing else to say, but this is not, in fact, the correct use of the word. It is only correct to say a man is mansplaining if they have interrupted a woman or is explaining something to her which she did not ask him to explain or she has more experience on. An argument is often not a correct time to use the term “mansplain”
How “mansplain” should be used in a sentence:
Female Doctor: “Kyle, I have been working as a doctor for fifteen years, I didn't ask you to mansplain to me how the digestive system works.”
How “mansplain” should not be used in a sentence:
Man winning an argument: “This is how feminism becomes a thing that is mocked and ridiculed in our society. Don’t let this happen and please use words correctl-”
Woman, losing the argument: “Ugh, don’t be such a sexist. I didn’t ask you to mansplain it to me”
Female Doctor: “Kyle, I have been working as a doctor for fifteen years, I didn't ask you to mansplain to me how the digestive system works.”
How “mansplain” should not be used in a sentence:
Man winning an argument: “This is how feminism becomes a thing that is mocked and ridiculed in our society. Don’t let this happen and please use words correctl-”
Woman, losing the argument: “Ugh, don’t be such a sexist. I didn’t ask you to mansplain it to me”
by spuder mun August 13, 2019
A word that sexist women use to shame a man when they have projected their misandry against men onto him after he offers them some useful advice or information without even taking his or her gender into consideration.
Women posts on Facebook: "I'm looking for research on why there is widespread gluten intolerance in North America and not so much in Europe".
Man responds: "I've heard that it is because the bread is commonly fermented in Europe and commonly unfermented in North America. Also, I know a great bakery where you can buy fermented bread..."
Women responds: "I DIDN'T FUCKING ASK YOU FOR ADVICE!!! STOP FUCKING MANSPLAINING TO ME!!! WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS ALSO SIMILAR TO WHITESPLAINING!!!"
Man thinks "wtf?"
Man responds: "I've heard that it is because the bread is commonly fermented in Europe and commonly unfermented in North America. Also, I know a great bakery where you can buy fermented bread..."
Women responds: "I DIDN'T FUCKING ASK YOU FOR ADVICE!!! STOP FUCKING MANSPLAINING TO ME!!! WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS ALSO SIMILAR TO WHITESPLAINING!!!"
Man thinks "wtf?"
by Sir Sarcasto December 11, 2018
When a man explains something to a woman that she already knows.
Usually in a manner in which it is clear that he thinks he is much more knowledgeable than her on the subject and that she has childish intelligence.
For example, a doctor meets a man in a bar and he asks her what she does. She says 'a doctor' and he replies; 'Ah! The thing about health and the human body is...' and proceeds to explain what it's like to be a doctor to her. Even though she is a DOCTOR and he is not.
Usually in a manner in which it is clear that he thinks he is much more knowledgeable than her on the subject and that she has childish intelligence.
For example, a doctor meets a man in a bar and he asks her what she does. She says 'a doctor' and he replies; 'Ah! The thing about health and the human body is...' and proceeds to explain what it's like to be a doctor to her. Even though she is a DOCTOR and he is not.
by Get out of your ass Jeffrey December 12, 2018
When someone reexplains something in the same way it was just explained or explains something that the other person obviously understands.
Example 1:
Person 1: "What's mansplaining? Is it when a man explains something to a woman in a patronizing way?"
Person 2: "hmmm... How can I explain this to you in a way you'll get it? Mansplaining is when a man explains something to a women in a condescending way"
Example 2:
Person 1: "In April, Jeff Sessions announced a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding migrant families, which led to the separation of thousands of children from their parents. Trump reversed the order in June due to public outrage"
Person 2 (the mansplainer): "Yeah but it was actually the Trump administration who started child separation in the first place and only reversed it later.
Person 1: "Yeah, I just said that."
Person 1: "What's mansplaining? Is it when a man explains something to a woman in a patronizing way?"
Person 2: "hmmm... How can I explain this to you in a way you'll get it? Mansplaining is when a man explains something to a women in a condescending way"
Example 2:
Person 1: "In April, Jeff Sessions announced a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding migrant families, which led to the separation of thousands of children from their parents. Trump reversed the order in June due to public outrage"
Person 2 (the mansplainer): "Yeah but it was actually the Trump administration who started child separation in the first place and only reversed it later.
Person 1: "Yeah, I just said that."
by HarperW June 24, 2018
A man who interrupts or speaks over her with overconfidence and cluelessness, to explain something that she already knows — indeed, something in which she may already be an expert — on the assumption that he must know more than she does. In many cases, the explanation has to do specifically with things that are unique to women — their bodies, their experiences, their lives. When men interrupt or presume to correct a woman who is speaking of her own experience or expertise, they are implying that she is ignorant, that she is incapable of having authoritative knowledge. They are saying, essentially, “Shh. I know best.”
by Audrie19 September 13, 2020
I didn't have a good answer to the facts he presented , so I accused him of "mansplaining". I hypocritically said I wanted him to treat me equally with men, but I can't stand how men talk with each other so I told him he was "mansplaining". I claim I believe in equality and understanding, but the fact that men learned as kids that they have to over explain is just irritating so to get him to shut up i accused him of "mansplaining".
by Droitduseigneiur August 05, 2018
is the act of a man explaining something he may not really know to a woman who does, and the assumption behind it that knowledge is somehow inherent in the male condition, paralleling a void of knowledge waiting to be filled in the female condition.
On the quiz show Jeopardy, the answer to the question "What is mansplaining?" was "This 21st century word happens when a male patronizingly tells a female about a topic she already understands.
by melliegussie September 09, 2017