covert sexism

Being sexist without the intent or conscious will to be sexist and cause offence.

For example, "you lift weights like a girl" can be seen as "covert sexism" if the speaker hadn't the intent to be sexist but simply insult the person lifting the weights for their lack of strength, technique, etc.

This is a phrase that is quite well-known and implies that 'lifting weights like a girl' is substandard and something to be ridiculed for.

by oss November 4, 2013