It's not so much feminine as girl-like (as in female child) -- being like an adult woman wouldn't be called "sissy."Originally Posted by ReineD
In this context, "girlish" is extended to include anything that is considered insufficiently "masculine." When I was growing up (1950's, 1960's), my interest in music (playing piano) was considered to make me a "sissy," as was my reluctance to get into fist-fights. The term is inherently misogynistic, since it's based on the idea that being in any way like a girl is humiliating and denigrating.
In fetish or CD contexts, I'd say it refers to anything that is exaggeratedly little-girl-like.
