If people call a woman chick such as in a work place does that mean any sexual insult?

Answer 1

No. "Chick" is just a word. It's the words around that word that makes the difference. ---- ; The general definition of the word "chick" is either: ; 1. A baby chicken ; 2. A child ; 3. A young woman

Assuming the 3rd selection, it is a slang term used to reference a young woman. It is usually used as a derogatory term in sentences such as "hot chicks". Often it can be demeaning because it is a form of dehumanization - relating young girls as less than human - ie baby chickens. Slang in itself is pretty much not acceptable in professional settings. Slang is not what most people think. Here is the dictionary.com definition of slang:

slang1 Audio Help /slæŋ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[slang] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

-noun 1. very informal usage in vocabulary and idiom that is characteristically more metaphorical, playful, elliptical, vivid, and ephemeral than ordinary language, as Hit the road.

2. (in English and some other languages) speech and writing characterized by the use of vulgar and socially taboo vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.

3. the jargon of a particular class, profession, etc.

4. the special vocabulary of thieves, vagabonds, etc.; argot. -verb (used without object) 5. to use slang or abusive language. -verb (used with object) 6. to assail with abusive language.

---- [Origin: 1750-60; orig. uncert.] Because of this, the term is usualy considered slightly offensive - much like the term "females" is considered. Note that the word "ain't" is NOT a slang word. It is non-standard English which is different. Slang is almost always considered unprofessional. However, the term is only lightly offensive and only to some. Others could care less. It's the surrounding conversation that makes the difference. If you were older and had an office of very capable significantly younger women and said "These chicks in the office are great at their jobs" most would not be offended. Being older it would make sense to refer to them as younger. But it is rarely if ever used in such a way. Instead most of the time it is used as in "these chicks are irritating" in which case the use is indeed derogatory. Should you be in trouble for using it? Probably not. But I wouldn't advise using it in an office setting any more than other slang words like nig*a, ho*, kike*, or even just calling someone a Jew. Here's something interesting. ; From the online etymology dictionary: ; chick : c.1320, abbreviation of chicken(q.v.), extended to human offspring (often in alliterative pairing chick and child) and used as a term of endearment. As slang for "young woman" it is first recorded 1927 (in "Elmer Gantry"), supposedly from U.S. black slang, in British use by c.1940, popularized by Beatniks late 1950s. Chicken in this sense is from 1711. Sometimes c.1600-1900 chicken was taken as a plural, chick as a singular (cf. child/children) for the domestic fowl.