No Gurls for Karren!

[busker]

Over the years that I have been on the forum, the term gurls has been bandied about as either a corrupt version of girls, an insult, an OK term for guys who are gender bending etc. While I was looking for information about the 'gyaru" style of dress in Japan, I came across this odd bit of information and thought I would pass it on. It does leave open how the term came to be used here in the US, and possibly it came by way--if it did--of tourists, or sailors or cd's who visited japan.

"Gyaru (ギャル?) is a Japanese transliteration of the English word gal. The name originated from a 1920s brand of jeans called "gurls", with the advertising slogan: "I can't live without men", and was applied to fashion- and peer-conscious girls in their teens and early twenties. Its usage peaked in the 2000s and has gradually declined."
More surprising to me is the fact that the Japanese had 'jeans" in a culture that was very restrictive in very many ways, and jeans would certainly have been out of place among kimonos. where exactly did they wear these jeans?

further,
In Tokyo, more often than not, a shopping center at each main train station is dedicated to offering the newest and trendiest items from popular Gal brands. Some brands are also reaching overseas by having their items easily accessible in webshops offering world-wide shipping services. A Gal Circle is a meet up of gals to hang out together.
So Gal is also among their words from the West. Is this the result of "sailor invasion"? Or perhaps from the old song, "Me and My gal".

[Tracii G]

Ladies in Japan, Thailand etc were wearing jeans back in the 70's

[Cynthia Anne]

I don't know much about Japan nor ''guys'' jeans for that matter! So not to be judging anyone I think I will continue to look at the word, if it is a word ''gurl'' as a misspelled word!

[Beverley Sims]

When I see the word gurls here I consider it either a slang term or a miss spelling of the word.

[Karren H]

You probably noticed that very few if any of my friends use that term.... or have that embedded in their user names.... or call me HON! lol... What jeans wearin feriners call themselves is no concern of mine! lmao....

[RebeccaLynne]

I've always viewed the word "gurl" as a combination of "GUy" and "giRL". Whenever I see it, I think of guys who like being girls.

Actually, I like it as descriptive term... light-hearted and non-offending, kinda playful, and serves to identify us as MTF crossdressers.

There are FAB girls, and there are fab "gurls"! :)

[Persephone]

It is right up there with "womyn," "womban," "womon," "wimmin," "femayle" and "humyn." Rhetorical garbage to poiliticize humanity.

Hugs,
Persephone.

[busker]

Ladies in Japan, Thailand etc were wearing jeans back in the 70's
GURLS jeans = a 1920s brand
One assumes by 1970 the whole world was wearing jeans.

[Katey888]

Crikey! I've been using this thinking it was OK.... Thought it was quite innocuous but who wants to be mistaken for a pair of 90 year old jeans..? I suppose that explains why no one calls their offspring Levi or Brutus anymore... :)
So... all you blokes in makeup and dresses out there... better get used to the new realpolitik of nomenclature... :devil:
Interesting start, Busker - I like the idea that 'gurls' can't live without men - in fact, I can't think of a better reason to keep using it... or will that get me struck off with extreme prejudice.
All in jest, of course. Back in my newbie box now.
Thanks gu... people...
Katey x

[reb.femme]

I don't use the term with the spelling style of 'gurls' but why the hang up for some? I jokingly use 'innit' in text correspondence, as people know it comes from an old git and is purely in jest as a form of getting down with the kids....'u no wot i'm sayin'.

I find no insult in such terms, I just prefer not to use it.

Rebecca (street n all that).......not!

[Jilmac]

When I was in school (back in the stone age) it was taught that proper spelling along with good grammar were the pinnacle of communication, therefore gurl or gurls are misspelled (whether slang or not), so my spelling of girl would be correct.

[Lorileah]

don't like the term mostly because it is used by many as sort of a slangy term for those who dress when others think it is a game

[Deedee Skyblue]

I've always viewed the word "gurl" as a combination of "GUy" and "giRL". Whenever I see it, I think of guys who like being girls.

Actually, I like it as descriptive term... light-hearted and non-offending, kinda playful, and serves to identify us as MTF crossdressers.

There are FAB girls, and there are fab "gurls"! :)

I agree with RebeccaLynne on this - the first time I saw 'gurls' I puzzled it out and decided it meant a 'GUy who dresses in giRLS clothes. I find it an enjoyable term and to me it seems like an easy way to refer to all of us here. I hope nobody finds it offensive - and now that I've explained what it means to me, I hope nobody thinks I can't spell and don't pay attention to what I post :)

Deedee

[Marleena]

Okay I looked it up on Urban dictionary, if anybody is interested.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gurl

[NicoleScott]

I clicked on your link, Marleena, and I think it's a pretty reasonable definintion. The use of the word "spelt" caught my attention, as I have never seen it used as an alternative for "spelled". While researching it, I also learned that spelt is a type of wheat.
Like reb.femme, I don't use the word "gurls" but find no insult when others do.

[Lorileah]

Okay I looked it up on Urban dictionary, if anybody is interested.



Honestly worse than using Wikipedia to credit something..."spelt" ??? Really ??

[Marleena]

Lol... hey I see it as slang so why not use the Urban dictionary, the best source for slang on the net?

[cdjess]

Honestly worse than using Wikipedia to credit something..."spelt" ??? Really ??

Agree totally.